Scratching sound when trying to start?

[y2klightning]

So, this is a strange one... When I try to start the car, I hear a sound that sometimes sounds like a relay clicking rapidly (about 5hz), other times it sounds like it's a scratchy/screechy sound, other times there's no sound at all. The sound presents somewhere under the dash, toward the top, next to the driver side pillar. If I return the key to the ignition position then back to start repeatedly it eventually starts. It's not the starter, I can get the car to start 100% of the time by applying power to the coil wire going to the starter under the hood (purple wire in the same harness as the knock sensor). I just moved and can't find the box that has my shop manuals in it, so I can't look up diagrams or anything, so I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas?

[Marc]

Try taking a video or audio of that & put it on here. Somebody here might know what it is.

[RCA1186]

Yep a video of the sound would help. What you are describing (as far as the relay click sound) kind of sounds like the common issue with the multifunction switch. Don't know why that would effect the starting of the car though besides the vats wiring being tied into the multifunction switch harness.

[quixote]

Just a shot in the dark & not disagreeing with the others, but it sounds like you have a short... possibly your speaker wiring?  (assuming you don't have actual wild-life)

Just for reference: my only start-issues were when my starter failed (which was 1st indicated by it taking several attempts to get the car to start). 

I had a garage replace the starter.  They damaged a fine ground wire (16 gauge or so) in the engine compartment.  (It's on the passenger side, near the intake, not hard to spot at all, as it's a single black wire.)... anyway, when the wire finally broke, I had key-on power, but nothing from the brand-new starter.  I found the broken wire, stripped the ends, & fixed with a wire-nut.  

I have no idea if any of this will be helpful to you, but I wish you the best of luck finding your answer.