When starting the car now, there is a grinding noise (belt problem, maybe?) for just a few seconds after starting. There is a sort of clunk then, and everything is fine. No idiot lights, nothing wrong on the gauges.

I checked the power steering and it was almost below add. I filled it, but the noise is still there. Thoughts??

 

Does it sound like a weird blow dryer?

 

Did this question ever get answered? We have the same problem. The car starts fine, but makes a fan-grinding noise for a second or two after it starts. Starter not disengaging maybe? Can we still drive it?

 

I would say starter. As long as it does not sound like when you try to start a running car you can drive it for a little bit.

 

Agreed, sounds like the starter.

I just replaced on on a friends volvo that had similar symptoms accept theirs was random.