Squealing/Groaning Upon Frigidly Cold Start-Up

Hey all,

I have a '17 Tacoma ORDCSB, auto, with less than 3,000 miles. It's been frigidly cold in Madison, WI, (hi of 8F today) and the last couple of times I've gone to start the truck in the morning, there's been a squealing/groaning (hard to explain the actual sound) coming from under the hood; just upon initial press of the start button.

Is this typical? Starter issue? I'm honestly flabbergasted that a brand new vehicle would be emitting a sound like this, independent of the temp.

Please let me know if anyone else has experienced this...?

Thanks in advance.

 

That doesn’t sound good. Next time, try to make a recording with your cell, you may need to take it to the dealer and show them the video.

 

It’s fine. I regularly start mine at 30 below (Alaska). It’s like anything else, and just needs to warm up. Toyota did the Tacoma cold weather testing in Alaska. 8 degrees isn’t even close to its limit. Weird noises occur, but subside quickly.

 

I make the same sounds when it's 8°F outside.

 

I will agree that it does subside quickly, but from my experience working at a new car dealership back in high school during the winter, I can assure you the new cars never made sounds like this.

Disappointing.

 

Great Scott!
It must be charging the flux capacitor to 1.21 Gigawatts!

 

Most likely the fan clutch

 

Ahhh... That could be it.

Is that typical? The '03 4Runner I just sold with 210k miles never made a sound like this.

 

I haven't had that happen, but it hasn't been 8F for a high where I am yet. I have had other vehicles make sounds like that when starting them in the morning when it's cold. power steering pumps can make that noise your describing when it gets real cold. I would say it's just the extreme cold causing it.

 

sounds like your taco needs an electric blanket

 

My '09 did it and my '17 does it as well. Just the truck reminding me that it's stupid cold out! I always figured it was either the fan clutch or a pulley and was never curious enough to track it down. Generally below 10 degrees and it would bark at startup.

 

Mine does this on less than zero degree starts. 50,000 miles and still going strong.

 

Good to know, all. Sincerely appreciate the feedback. Was just a little surprising on a "brand new" vehicle.

Thanks!!!!

 

Im surprised they actually did cold weather testing. My manual has all sorts of "problems" on Sub zero starts. I have a thread somewhere on it.

 

Here is the thread.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cold-weather-performance-or-the-lack-thereof.408322/

 

Hey man I'm an hour south of you here in Chicago. Same shit on my 2012. Only solution is to move to Florida.

 

Totally normal. You should hear them at -50 when the seat foam is frozen c0ck stiff and the clutch pedal takes 10 seconds to return... i never did bother with a block heater. They always start, but yes the groans and whines sound pitiful.

 

Ok, last post mentioned not using a block heater, and I think Baron55 is right, it’s the fan clutch- but you could rule out the engine by testing it by putting a block heater on the oil pan and see if that goes away- you will be doing your engine some good anyway on those cold mornings!

 

Currently in Pewaukee and my truck made the same noises yesterday morning.

 

I have the same truck, 5,000 miles. We hit -1 yesterday morning and it made some weird noises at startup similar to what you said. I was gone pretty quick, so its normal.