I posted about this earlier this week and it got moved instantly to problems and fixes, where, you know, like six people look on a regular basis. But it's important and I honestly DGAF right now cuz I'm worried!

OK so a few weeks ago, car started making a weird clicking noise in D or R, but not in P or N. It's really sporadic, as sometimes it will happen for a good 4 or 5 seconds straight, and then pause for a couple secs and start again. It's strange, almost as if something is bouncing around in the transmission? Anyways it's gotten noticeably louder over the past few days, I can hear it at stoplights with no radio on.

But the car doesn't shift weird! 1 to 2 is a BIT slow sometimes, but other than that it's fine. I love this car and I can't lose it already! What do I do? Take to dealer? Is it failing?

BTW, 04 Base Auto, 127K miles, no mods. Thanks to whoever responds before this is moved again. :/

 

I'll allow this thread to stay in this section for now. Pending repsonses. I don't know much about transmissions myself. Perhaps someone will jump in and help.

 

Are you sure it's coming from the transmission? When I installed the AEM CAI I didn't tighten the nut that holds it to the rubber stopper against the inside of the fender (engine compartment side) enough, and it rattled something fierce whenever the car was in gear and sitting still, sounded terrifying. Is this a possibility for you?

 

Just read your signature that says no mods, disregard previous reply, my bad

 

Doesn't matter whether listed in Problems or General as the description is pretty vague and most, including myself, won't know what could be rolling around in the transmission when in D or R.

I would make certain it's the trans and not a bad mount that causes the engine to flex more when in D or R and then cause some external part create noise.

There is a TSB on the intermediate bearing heat shield, but that indicates a problem in the 1500-2500 RPM range, but it's a possibility.

If you can, post the sound.

 

OP hasn't told us the speeds at which he hears the clicking when in D or R, but if it's only at low speeds, then it's more likely to be the heat shield.
FWIW, I imagine the car would be going pretty fast if driving in reverse above 2500 RPM.

 

Well it's too quiet to be heard over the engine, but at idle with the windows down, I can definitely hear it. When accelerating slowly from a stop I can hear it, but after about 2000 rpm's the engine noise drowns it out. Also, Mod, thank you very much for leaving it, I am kinnnnnda scared haha.

It does NOT get louder with more speed/harder acceleration. How would I post the sound? Youtube link?

 

yes

 

Honestly like others have said, my first reaction would be a heatsheild, they rust overtime until theres not much left holding them on, and then they rattle, happened on my old car before it had 80k on it. You could either crawl under the car and look at them or try to grab you exhaust and shake it a bit to see if you hear a rattle

 

OP, my advice is to take your TL to a reputable dealer or mechanic, so they can properly diagnose your issue and prevent any possible serious damage. If it's something minor, post the issue on acurazine and maybe it's something you can DIY. My

 

I say let us keep guessing until something breaks and then see if any of us guessed the right problem.

 

I'll look into the heatshield and I'll do a 3x3 this weekend, I'm in college so I don't really have the 120 bucks the dealer wants for the diagnostic if I can get around it.

 

Yeah, I was just trying to save you time and worry. Looks like you have it under control. Let us know if the 3x3 or the heatshield resolve the issue. Reminds me that I have to do the 3x3 soon too.

 

Could you elaborate on the slow shift from 1st to 2nd? I am also troubleshooting what I think to be a transmission or mount issue. When I shift into reverse it will click, just once.. I heard it also once time when the car shifted from 1st to 2nd.

Sounds different than what you describe as it is only one time, but my main concern is the shift from 1st to 2nd, I can either feel it, or sometime there is even a slight lunge.

 

The slow shift from 1 to 2 is hardly noticeable, asked my girlfriend if she noticed it when she drove it, and she said all the gears feel the same. I had a CL that had the tranny go out so I KNOW when something feels really wrong with the tranny, lol. Going 50mph on a street to have the car slam into first gear is NOT fun.

I know the slight lunge though, mine does that. Just ever so slightly, right? Gonna order some type-f right now so I can change it saturday...

 

Yes it is slight, and I do recall noticing it when test driving another TL and thinking they must not be as smooth as mercedes, no big deal. But, something I did made it go away and than it came back, which is what has me worried, or atleast annoyed. If I was test driving the car I wouldn't look past it, it is slight, but it is noticeable, and it varies, in fact I think its smoother when turning right, maybe just my body position, not sure.

 

Holy crap me too. I just ordered a case of Redline Type-F and it gets here monday. Will update if that helps.

 

hi , i had the same issue ,mine was the flex pipe