As of now, 89,xxx miles.
Purchased with 88.
Upon purchase, we replaced engine oil, oil filter, rotated tires.
Few weeks ago, we had a check engine light, so I grabbed an OBD2 and it saw faulty emissions. After a drive cycle, it reset, and light turned off.
Since then, light has not turned on, beside the 'On' position with the key.
It is not only the steering that gives off the sound, but also on startup.
My father plans to replace the spark plugs for good measure, soon, but I don't see how that'd cause this grinding noise.
I have a strong feeling it's the starter, or some sort, but I cannot be sure.
Not sure if I mentioned this but, I've heard the sound SOMETIMES during a normal drive.
It's usually around the gear shifts (I can hear the differences in sound, between high rpm and it resetting back to low RPM, yet still going forward.. So I can assume it's a gear shift), and I hear a nasty noise.
The starter should not be on during a normal drive, right?
Tonight, or tomorrow, I'd like to go looking for the starter motor, detach it, clean it up (what I can see, not going to take it apart further), and reattach it and see if it has the same thing.
I have seen a few guides that say removing the intake manifold bracket will reveal the starter...
Near the end, after 12seconds, that is when the steering is, but that is only at maximum steering.
Otherwise, the steering is fine.
I just suspect some rubbing, but since I don't turn that far that often, I don't really mind, as long as it's not blowing anything up.
EDIT:
This is probably bad, but I accidently pressed on the accelerator pedal today while in park (was gonna depress brake to shift into Reverse in my garage), and went up to 2000rpm, and noticed the grinding.
Now, I'm worried.
Attached, video:
