Hey,

I am new to this forum and a new TL owner. Love the car, but have been bothered by one thing. I have been noticing a fluttering noise, which seemingly is coming from the middle of the car, above the center console. The fluttering occurs when:
1) warm engine
2) from complete stop, light acceleration between 1000-3000 rpms at low speeds
3) environmental temps are not a factor as I hear it night and day with temps ranging from 50-80 degrees F.
4) only heard when car is in Drive. when I put the car in Park or Neutral and I rev the engine, I do not hear the fluttering.
5) can only be heard under light acceleration. If I gas it, there is no flutter. If I take my foot off the gas, no flutter.
I took the car to the dealership to have it looked at and had a tech ride with me. He said he could hear it as well. Dropped the keys off and picked it up 8 hours later. I was told it was normal for this car.

Does anyone else have this problem???

I have been doing some research and found that my problem was described exactly with 1st gen RL owners. There is speculation that it has to do with the Variable Induction Control Solenoid system. Does the TL use a similar system and does this sound like it could be my problem too??

HELP ME PLEASE!!!

 

Oh yeah...It's a 2008 with about 3700 miles on it. Can anyone please please please help??? Thanks!

 

Is it possible it is an exhaust leak somewhere?

Thanks!

 

is it while taking off from every light? Does it occur at about 20 MPH?

 

i have noticed something similar also...no conclusions yet. i have 05 TL with 33,000 miles. i can only hear it under light throotle because WOT all i hear is my j-pipe, test pipe, and CAI. =)

 

It occurs any time I lightly-moderately accelerate from a stop, after the car has been driven for some time and the engine is warm.

It occurs between 1000-3000 rpms only when my foot is on the throttle. Once I take it off, the flutter goes away. I hear it in 1st and 2nd gear, so yeah, around 20 mph or so.

If the car is in Park or Neutral and I rev the engine, I do not hear it.

Does this sound similar to what you are experiencing?

 

Sounds like the heat shield that goes over the intermediate shaft on the passenger axle.... there was a TSB for this on 04-05s, it might be the same problem. Sometimes just tweaking this shield with a pry bar gets rid of the noise.

You have warranty, take advantage of it

 

Do you have/know the specific link to that TSB?

Thanks!