Anyone here hear a noise that, whenever you gently press the gas pedal (as opposed to flooring it) while moving from a complete stop, sounds like the car is starting out in 2nd gear, sorta like a groaning noise? The noise occurs for less than a second but happens every time you gently pull away from a stop.

Just wanted to see if this noise is _normal_.

Thanks,
Tony

 

I haven't heard it before. Get it checked out by a dealer, thats what a warranty is for.

 

you mean from Park, right?!
it had never occured to me from just a regular stop...
if it's from Park, I've posted the exact question awhile ago and a few have actually told me that it's the system doing a check w/ the ABS and it's normal.
hope this helps.

 

Nah, I know about the ABS buzzing sound--this sound is different. The best way to describe it is like this--on a MT car, take off in second gear from a stop. The sound you'll hear from the tranny from a combination of slipping the clutch and applying a bit more gas so that it will engage in 2nd is what I'm trying to describe.

Yes, I can try explaining it to the dealer while under warranty but knowing how they can be, the service guy will just manipulate the gas pedal so that it doesn't make the noise I'm describing and will just say that there's nothing wrong. Hence my posting here so that I can gather some anecdotal evidence to support my claim.

Tony

 

you're in Richmond?? go to Acura of Pleasanton then...the service rep there are really nice. (you can forget about the sells) request a loaner and you can leave it there for overnight.

 

I believe I've heard it before too.

See if this explains it correctly: It seems like the engine hits a certain frequency in the powerband just off idle. The noise sounds like some sheet metal vibrating (harmonics) somewhere under the car when you go through that RPM when lightly accelerating.

I've had other cars do that and it usually ended up to be a loose heat shield on the catalytic converter. When the engine hits a certain frequency it causes the loose sheetmetal to resonate and make noise. Usually, you can just tweak the shield so it doesn't vibrate any more.

Have it checked out by the dealer and let us know.

 

Yee--yep, I'll be taking it to Pleasanton when my gauges come in.

rockinTLS--it could be a loose heat shield but if so, wouldn't the resultant noise be a bit _metallic_ and therefore a bit higher in frequency pitch? Or can the vibration generate lower harmonics resulting in a lower pitched groaning-type noise. The noise I'm describing doesn't sound typical of a loose heat shield, although you're dead on as far as the noise coming just off idle. I'll ask the service guy anyways, but I already know what he's gonna tell me.

Tony

 

Tdoh - Let's hope for the best. I have a visit coming up next week for some warranty stuff. I'll have them take a look at mine, too.

Let us know what they find, if anything.