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Hi. A screeching noise occurs when starting the engine. It is as if I'm cranking the ignition too far, but that's not the case. It doesn't happen with a full gas tank, or if the engine is hot. A mechanic told me this is a common problem with Fits, and recommended taking it to the Honda dealer. But as the Honda people couldn't duplicate the noise, that didn't help.
Mine has been doing that for three years now. I start hearing it in the late fall when the overnight temps are around freezing. In the late spring..it disappears.
If I bump the starter with a quick on-off of the key first....It won't screech.
The starter's Bendix mechanism sticking and leaving the motor engage on the flywheel a little too long. They generally only do it when the engine is cold. The Fit's starter isn't easily rebuilt to replace or grease the Bendix so I imagine most owners replace the starter.
Sounds like the VTC Actuator problem. The only thing is that the VTC Actuator problem is usually described as a loud rattle (which gets louder over time) however it typically does show up early in the morning when you first start that car, only lasts briefly for a few seconds and then usually won't happen again in the day when the car is warmer. People getting it diagnosed by the dealer had to leave their cars overnight so that the engine could be cold started in the morning.
Numerous threads on it here and I believe some YouTube videos on it. This bulletin is for 2015+ models and I see you have a 2008. The VTC problem however did go back to 2008 on various Honda models.
Yaris MT and Acura RSX make this noise too.
All starters that are using lubricated thin wall brass sliding bushing around the solenoid plunger and black bell shape rubber boot around the plunger end
Old solenoid (center) with bell shaped black rubber boot
Aftermarket The edges of the sleeve are worn and serrated
The reman. starters from the stores are using solenoids with nylon sleeve and very thin red rubber boot . Some cheap rebuilds show heavy lube on the brass bushing and remover rubber boot
