On a cold morning (20 deg F and below)...
when I start my truck ('03 S-cab 4.6L) the starter will not disengage as fast as it should.
I hear a momentary 'zzzzip' noise from starter still contacting the flywheel(?) as the engine gets up to idle speed.
Am I correct on that process?
The starter does pop back into its housing, but not as quickly as it should.

The starter will 'stick' / retract a bit slower as it gets colder.
Has any one else had this problem?

I know it can't be a good thing.
I've had the truck since Feb. 04, and this has been happening since day one.
I remember discussing it with the service dude at the dealership,
but was too lazy to leave it there over night so they could start it up in the morning and hear the 'zzzzip'.
I have never problems starting the truck, or hearing other noises when starting it.

The 'zzzip' only happens on cold mornings when I initially start the truck.
Let me know your experiences/ thoughts?

 

mine used to grind once in a while when i went to start it, and it'd do it like 3-4 times before starting so I ponied up the 200 bucks for a new one and the new one does it every once in a great while..like every few weeks.....idk...reman junk

 

Do you have an oil leak that is getting into the starter?

This is pretty common on most cars and trucks. Being on the bottom they get all the road grime and oil off the engine that thickens up in the cold and does not let it retract like it should.