Z Factor

Someone asked me about a strange noise coming from their 03 at start up during cold weather sub-zero tempratures, that sounds like a loud whine/grind, and asked if it sounds like a transmission pump cavitating?

Naturally, being in sunny south Florida we don't get to many sub zero days.

So I'm hoping that some of you Artic dwellers can assist a fellow TL owner out.

Thanks

GTRspeeder

im not a tl owner but most of the stuff are probably frozen solid. it will probably go away if the cars warm up. dunno

seahawk

Not noticed anything unusual with mine on a cold weather
start.

fsttyms1

i live where its cold and havent noticed any thing like that. i have noticed a little valve knock but only for a few sec while the oil is being pushed to the top of the engine when its really cold. (it was -8 here last night)

how long does the noise last?

orcaatk

I haven't had any unusual noises so far, but I have an 00 TL, so I don't know if that makes a diff or not...

qlaval

No unusual sounds either.
Yesterday night temp was -14° F / -26° C

Forecast for the coming week-end: -20° F / -29° C
So if someting is suppose to make noise i will tell you...

njtls

holy ****...io didnt know you could live in that kind of weather....when the weather he aproaches 20 F i already think its too cold to go out....

Southern

It was -3 F today, I did not notice any unusual noises.

It might be the power steering pump cavitating, I don't believe there is a transmission pump. I would check the power steering fluid level.

yield2s

The worst case would be not having any oil get to the pistons for a few minutes so make sure thats not the case. At the very least he or she should have 5wXX in it. But I myself would most deff have some 0wXX in it.

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

I still use 10W30 Mobile1 and it's about 9 degrees up here right now. Car starts just fine, although I will most likely switch to 5W30 next time I change the oil.

habibnazir

i have that problem too ..i think ... i hear this ticking/knocing sound comming from under the car ...kinda sounds like its right between the driver and passenger door .. can't hear it from inside the car only from the outside whne paying attention...


as for hte cold weather...well it does get a little nippy in jersey once in a while but the car sounds normal when "booting up!"

Z Factor

Doess Halifax, Nova Scotia get very cold?


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Thanks for the replies. It seems that only one other person is experiencing anything close to that noise. As to any of your clarifying questions, I honestly don't know the answers. I was just trying to help out this TL owner from the ice belt.

On the side, I do wonder why anyone lives in sub zero conditions. I can understand living in many places that get cold, (even though I never would), but sub zero is for polar bears and penguins, not TL owners. I guess if you are going to live in such harsh conditions, you may as well have a nice car with a good heater to get around.

99LagunaTL

It could also be ABS initialization (the ABS pump accumulating enough pressure to initiate the ABS system when needed - normal characteristics of the ABS system).

eh!curaplus

i have the same problem with the flaps, but it does go away. my biggest prob. is i think i have to change my battery cuz it just doesn't start right, then my d5 light blinks and the car stutters when shifting from 1st -2nd, and slightly from 2nd-3rd.

seahawk

Hey Z Factor , goin through a cold spell last few days
Yesterday was -19 c , today -15 c
( -19C = around -10 F ) ( -15c = 0 F ) or close to it
Temps are close ta what they get in Maine .

First car owned with heated seats............love that TL

cheers

VTEC11

That dosn't sound like just the battery. Sounds like you have the tranny problem too..

fsttyms1

i was just going to say that, that sounds like a tranny prob. usually when the light blinks thats a good indicator something is wrong

NJ Aegean 03

I have the same noise in my 03 TLS... I live in Jersey, we dont have the extreme temps that you do. Everytime I do start my car though, in a matter of seconds, I hear a "whine" sound coming from the firewall. At first I thought it could have been power steering pump, but now I think it has something to do w/ the ABS system. Only reason I say that, is because a deer jumped out in front of my car a few days ago and i JAMMED on the brakes... as soon as the car stopped, I heard the same exact noise. That was the only time I ever heard it whine after driving for a while. I could be wrong, maybe it's a coincidence?!??!?!?!!

Tom Blasing

Am I the only one here that ordered and installed the factory engine block heater?? Took about 1/2 hour to put in and under $50!

koolpix

I have the same problem as NJ Aegean 03. I live in Vancouver, Canada. Temperature does not make a difference. Dealer says they can not recreate noise even though I hear it every day.

Raheel

it was like -40 temp and -50 windchill in North Dakota Earlier this week, CRAZY! Its deadly to go out! Frostbite and all the stuff!

fsttyms1

ya must be. the honda engine is the only engine i have NEVER had a problem starting in the DEAD of winter.

larryr20

The ticking coming from under your passenger rear door is probably the fuel pump. Some cars are noisier than others. I myself have noticed ths myself. (Especially this week - its was under 10 degrees here in NJ this weekend).

The ABS will can/will make a short noise after the car is started for a few seconds. It does sound like a "pump cavitating". It should only last a few seconds. My Accord used to do this all the time and I eventually had the ABS pump replaced as it was explained to me "the reson the pump runs is to build pressure in case ABS is needed". I find I will hear it more if the car was sitting for long periods of time.

NJ Aegean 03

Thanks LarryR20... I guess that would explain why i heard it after jammin on the brakes!!! I had the same problem w/ my old Eclipse GSX, but it didn't happen everytime I started the car. I don't mind the noise, because like you said....it lasts but 3 seconds when you start the car and then goes away.

BTW - where in Jersey are you??

Z Factor

Thanks for all the replies. I haven't heard back from the guy, so I hope he didn't get frozen to death somewhere up there.

There is plenty of room here in sunny Florida if you decide to improve your living conditions.

larryr20

Exit 168 - Bergen County. And you?

NJ Aegean 03

In the Bridgewater Area off Rt22...

Vicman17

If you notice this when you first move from being parked, this is your ABS/ VSA/ TCS priming. You should hear this "hum" twice. First for the initial 10-15 feet, then the next one at about 100 ft or so. This happens regardless of the outside temp.

If your ABS/ VSA fails to initialize, your ABS warning lamp will light up and you won't hear this noise.