Ezpeezy15 Posted August 20, 2021 Report Share Posted August 20, 2021 Seeking some ideas to help me diagnose an odd sound I've been having. 2014 SXT, 3.6L, 137k. So here's the scenario... only happens to me on cold starts, and always at the same time. I start the car, reverse out the parking spot/driveway, shift into drive, and begin pulling away. After about 10-20 feet of travel I hear a clunk. Not like a suspension clunk. It is more similar to what a compressor sounds like kicking on, or a valve opening or something. But louder. Outside air temp doesn't matter, but it only occurs on cold starts after the car has been sitting a while. If I just idle away for a while after backing out, it just delays the sound. Only happens if I am applying gas to accelerate away. If I apply more gas, and accelerate faster, it just occurs sooner. It has been happening for months, but it seems to be louder now. Also, out of a weird bit of timing yesterday, I had taken my foot off the gas to begin braking when this sound occurred. Just as I placed my foot on the brake, but before applying pressure, this sound occurred and I simultaneously felt a strong tap feeling through the brake pedal. Any ideas? Thank you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsteves5 Posted August 20, 2021 Report Share Posted August 20, 2021 Is your an AWD version? If so, it might be a locked-up AWD viscous unit and the clunk is coming from the rear end. Locosiete and Ezpeezy15 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redtomatoman123 Posted August 20, 2021 Report Share Posted August 20, 2021 I think I have this same sound too. '11 FWD R/T. Only after sitting in the garage. It's been making that sound ever since I can remember. (I bought the DJ new) I can only hear it if the music is low or off and it only does it once. I used to try to figure out what it was, thinking it was something going wrong. If your sound is the same, I wouldn't worry about it. Mine's been doing it consistently for so long, I'd worry if it stopped... I have no idea what it is. Peace. Ezpeezy15 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5rebel9 Posted August 20, 2021 Report Share Posted August 20, 2021 For BOTH.... Check the front motor mount for torn rubber, if bad you will get excessive engine rock(cold= higher rpm) and changing directions (reverse to neutral to drive) will accentuate the engine rock. Enough movement to have things like exhaust "tap" the underneath or similar. 2late4u and Ezpeezy15 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14WhiteRTRallye Posted August 21, 2021 Report Share Posted August 21, 2021 Abs self test. Nissan explanation was 1st that came up, but they are all the same. http://www.nissaguide.com/nicon-826.html#:~:text=When the self-test occurs%2C you may hear a,the ABS warning light on the instrument panel. Ezpeezy15 and John/Horace 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redtomatoman123 Posted August 21, 2021 Report Share Posted August 21, 2021 Ha! Interesting... I knew my sound wasn't something nefarious since mine was so predictable and had been doing it since new. Thanks for the info! Peace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezpeezy15 Posted August 23, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2021 Thank you all for the tips! It's is a FWD. I will check out the engine mounts, hadn't even considered that. But it sounds very possible to be the ABS system check. I'll do some more research and check back in if I find anything noteworthy. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezpeezy15 Posted August 26, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2021 Had it up on a lift today. Gave a good look over, engine mounts and exhaust hangars and connections all good. Talked to the mechanic that runs the shop and agrees that it is the ABS self test based on my explanation. Thanks again! Armando G 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5rebel9 Posted August 26, 2021 Report Share Posted August 26, 2021 Glad to hear that you concluded it to be from the ABS self testing. Our '11 AWD does not exhibit this concern. BUT I know the front mount is known to go bad(as with many same type FCA vehicles), ands a good thing to at least look at every now and then when under the car for servicing. So was this "check" what motivated you to change the lower control arms? Ezpeezy15 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezpeezy15 Posted September 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2021 No, I had been having some suspension noise and found degraded bushings on my control arms. Cured with the control arm replacement. This "check" was more of curiosity after searching around the forum and not seeing any answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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