Could a bad starter relay cause this?

My 2014 4.0L has started making a short and loud **GRIND** sound a second or two after the engine starts.

Obvservations:
- The startup is strong and otherwise normal...then I hear a loud grinding noise that sounds like gears crunching.
- It's intermittent and doesn't seem to be caused by cold weather.
- It usually happens on a cold start, but I can recall it happening on a warm start once.

I've looked around online, watched/listened to starter problem videos on YouTube and the closest thing I've heard is the well known Honda VTC problem.

Other things I'm considering:
- Timing chain
- Power steering

Recent Changes:
- Switched from Mobil1 Full Syn motor oil to AmazonBasics Full Syn (about 3k miles ago, but this issue didn't come up immediately after the oil change)
- Started doing the turkey baster PS fluid change method (started the process after the issue surfaced, have done 2 rounds so far)

Any other things to check? I know the starter itself could be bad, but I want to check off some of the easier/cheaper items first. The starter looks fairly difficult to get to and swap out on these trucks.

Cheers!
Jeff

 

If the starter is like other starters I've encountered the Bendix may be failing to disengage right after startup.

 

Would that cause a delayed grinding? I thought that it could be a failure to disengage but it seems like that would result in a grinding noise being left after the engine starts. Mine starts, has normal taco tick for a couple of seconds and then I get the grind.

 

Yes, it could. If the Bendix is sticky or bushing is very worn it can ride on the ring gear and slowly retract, taking a couple seconds or more before it gets far enough to disengage and then the edges of the teeth rub.

It's something that would take like 2 minutes to visually inspect, not counting time to lift the truck up high enough to slide under it (if you need to).

The SAI system also runs on start-up, though I'm not sure if it's every start, warm only, cold only, etc. I would think you you get the same noise on shutdown if it was that.

 

It’s been a long time, but I just got around to taking the truck to the shop. My A/C compressor was bad. Replaced the compressor and all is good again.

 

Did your ac work still? My trucks ac is somewhat cold, but no where near where i think it should be. Maybe i need a compressor too.

 

A/C still "worked" but has never been great (normal in the 2nd gen Tacoma, from what I've gathered). Mine gets the job done, but in the middle of summer in central TX, the fan has to be on high and blowing at you. It also gets colder when driving vs idling, but if there's a BIG difference, I'd get an A/C check done. My compressor was making a clicking noise when I turned on the A/C...it was very noticeable. I also think it was causing the grinding noise as I don't recall ever getting the grinding noise at startup again after I decided to stop using my A/C to prevent any further damage.

 

Gotcha, my ac doesn’t click. I just get a little grind like if the compressor is coming on every now and then at start up. I guess the ac in these things is just not that great.