Whirling Noise Sometimes when I start my car it makes a brief high-pitched whirling noise. It doesn't have any problem starting; it just makes that noise.

Sounds like a wheel bearing

Bearing noises in a clutch system are easily distinguished by running a few simple tests. Start the engine and leave the transmission in neutral. If a transmission makes noise when it is in neutral it is often a worn input shaft bearing. Now depress the pedal until the clutch just engages. This is the point where the release bearing is just contacting the pressure plate fingers. If you begin to hear a squealing sound this is likely a worn release bearing. If a whirling noise is present when the clutch pedal is fully depressed it is probably the pilot bearing.

i suggeste you get car diagnostic tool for your citroen, lexia-3 can do your car, you can use this tool check your car, to find what's wrong with your car.

Sounds like a bad wheel bearing to me. Try slightly turning to the left than to the right when the noise begins. If it changes pitch, than it is most probably a bad wheel bearing.

If the noise is just a spinning sound and not a grinding, than you're starter solinoid is probably bad.
You're best bet is to replace the starter. Hope this helps.

10 year old VW polo making whirling noises when on starting the engine

Add me to the list. Just got back from a Volvo dealership in Chicago and was told the 'winding' noise we're experiencing during deceleration in our 2004 XC90 is due to a failing transmission,so i would suspect the same accelerating. hope all works out for you

sounds like the starter is not disengaging the fly wheel quickly like it should when you turn the key the starter cog connects upto a fly wheel that has teeth all around it when the teeth of starter cog connect between teen on wheel it spins it to crank your car then goes back to starter if you hold your key on after starting the noise you hear is the starter cog(teeth ) still engaged in wheel if this is the sound it needs to be serviced not neccassarily replaced

Have you checked fuel pressure? Have you checked the distributor cap, they are known for going bad.

Without hearing it, it is hard to tell. But, I would first be looking at the idler pulley bearing, they have been known to fail; and make noise. Remove the idler pulley, and spin it manually. If it feels rough, and makes any noise, it is bad.