High pitched start up noise on Chrysler Corp cars (van, Dodge, Ford)

[rlrl]

I'm sure people have noticed the high frequency noise that all the 60's, 70's and some 80's Chrysler corp cars made when turning the igniton key to start up. Compared to the other makes which sounded roughly like each other, I always remember Chrysler Corp cars sounding like this

At what year did Chrysler cars start this noise and what year did we stop hearing it?

I think the Aries/Reliant '81 models stopped having this sound and i recall the Plymouth Caravelle, Chrysler Lebarons frm the 80's did not make this noise either(sounded more like foreign cars strating rather than traditional GM/Fords). But the cars that remained on the Volare body like the Fury and New Yorker may have continued up to 89 with that noise

Does anyone know for sure?

[tstone]

When they killed off the 3.9 V6, 5.2 (318) and 5.9 (360) in the Rams, they killed off the signature "Chrysler" start-up sound.

[johnfrisco]

Was it a starter, flywheel or other problem?

[Ultrarunner]

Isn't it the gear reduction drive in the starter?

[Mike from back east]

As I recall, that sound was the signature noise of Chrysler's "double gear reduction" starter motor. A legendary noise, for sure.

Story: Repairing vintage Chrysler - Plymouth - Dodge starters

[ferretkona]

yes, it was the gear reduction. I had a 71 van and the starters were so new you could not find rebuilts. I went thru a starter every 3 months or so, kept a new one under the seat with two wrenches. I could change it out in less than ten minutes.