Rattling Noise

[automan25]

I just bought a '99 Intrigue. In doing research online I noticed a lot of people complaining about the car making a rattling noise when first starting out on a drive. When test driving the car I just purchased I didn't notice it at all, but now it's there. Here is the sequence of events:

1. Car is parked, not running.
2. Start car
3. Engage "D" gear
4. Begin moving forward.
5. Strange rattling noise occurs from front/left of car for a brief second.
6. No other problems for the rest of the drive.

This noise seems to occur virtually everytime I begin to move forward after the transmission being in park. It's definately a mechanical sound, not a vibration, or electric. It doesn't seem to matter if the engine is cold or not. I'll continue looking for other evidence to narrow down the problem.

Has anyone else had this problem? Any solutions?

Thanks
Automan25

[kmohr3]

Mine does that too. I think you're hearing some kind of initialization of the ABS brake system. I've heard some people say it sounds like a "dice cup" or driving over a piece of that bubblewrap plastic. I wouldn't worry about this, I'm sure it's a normal condition.

[canatto]

Originally Posted by automan25

I just bought a '99 Intrigue. In doing research online I noticed a lot of people complaining about the car making a rattling noise when first starting out on a drive. When test driving the car I just purchased I didn't notice it at all, but now it's there. Here is the sequence of events:

1. Car is parked, not running.
2. Start car
3. Engage "D" gear
4. Begin moving forward.
5. Strange rattling noise occurs from front/left of car for a brief second.
6. No other problems for the rest of the drive.

This noise seems to occur virtually everytime I begin to move forward after the transmission being in park. It's definately a mechanical sound, not a vibration, or electric. It doesn't seem to matter if the engine is cold or not. I'll continue looking for other evidence to narrow down the problem.

Has anyone else had this problem? Any solutions?

Thanks
Automan25

I have this same exact noise too. But I don't think it's a problem, as it is actually the ABS and/or Traction Control that is performing a self test. This noise does not only take place in D gear, but also in "R" if you start with backing and back up fast enough.

[automan25]

Well that's good to know.

I must say though, it's sure foolish of GM to allow their cars to make such a noise and not offer an explanation of what it is. The noise certainly doesn't sound normal. I've driven many cars with ABS and traction control and none of them made such a noise. GM still needs to works on the details.

[Burnout524]

Ah, yes the ol' "Yatzee Shaker" sound. My car makes that noise but it only seems to happen to me in reverse or when backing down an incline (a driveway) or a certain parking spot at work. I'm 99% sure it has to do with the ABS whether it's initiating or self-testing. If you are lightly pressing the brake pedal, you'll notice it lift off your foot slightly and then return back to your foot. Wierd, eh?

[87accordlxi]

I have a noise that sounds alot like this, but it happens when I start it up. Like as soon as the engine turns over. Sounds like dice rattling around in a cup like someone mentioned. It doesn't happen every time, but enough to be annoying.

[paulkramer]

Yes, you would think they would inform their customers of such things......but they act like they don't want their customers!! And the mechanics (Goodwrench) treat me like I'm some sort of trash when I ask about things like that!!

I'm out from under this pile of bolts - as soon as I can dump it - if I can!!

[Burnout524]

Originally Posted by 87accordlxi

I have a noise that sounds alot like this, but it happens when I start it up. Like as soon as the engine turns over. Sounds like dice rattling around in a cup like someone mentioned. It doesn't happen every time, but enough to be annoying.

Mine also makes that sound sometimes. For some reason I think it's the rocker arms or lifters, but I doubt it. I'm just hoping that's semi-normal.

[87accordlxi]

Originally Posted by Burnout524

Mine also makes that sound sometimes. For some reason I think it's the rocker arms or lifters, but I doubt it. I'm just hoping that's semi-normal.

I'm thinking it could be the gear drive in the starter, but I'm still researching.

If it were rocker arms or lifters, you'd probably hear it at other times rather than just starting up.

[castnet]

I've got a 99 3.5 I've had since 2001 and have had the rattling noise for about a year now. I was told by a GM dealer and two other mechanics that the ball bearing assembly needed replacing. I bought one for each front wheel from Auto Zone and since have not had any rattling.

What I have NOW is a bumping noise from the side I'm turning into almost every time I turn AND the ABS, Service Engine Soon and Trac lights come on infrequently AND the car will go occasionally go into Trac mode, very briefly, for no apparent reason, at low speed, in either forward or reverse.

Other than that it's running fine! Any ideas?

Thanks,

Luke

[Burnout524]

That new problem with the turning and trac mode could be that the speed sensors have gone bad.

[Totoy1961]

Automan25. I periodically hear the rattling noise (like dice in cup) my experience is that it's air in the coolant. It's more prevalent during cold weather (or at least louder) I had this happen, really spent a lot of time to purge the air out and didn't notice again until at 100K miles. I flushed the cooling system then noticed it again until I really purged all the air out.




automan25]I just bought a '99 Intrigue. In doing research online I noticed a lot of people complaining about the car making a rattling noise when first starting out on a drive. When test driving the car I just purchased I didn't notice it at all, but now it's there. Here is the sequence of events:

1. Car is parked, not running.
2. Start car
3. Engage "D" gear
4. Begin moving forward.
5. Strange rattling noise occurs from front/left of car for a brief second.
6. No other problems for the rest of the drive.

This noise seems to occur virtually everytime I begin to move forward after the transmission being in park. It's definately a mechanical sound, not a vibration, or electric. It doesn't seem to matter if the engine is cold or not. I'll continue looking for other evidence to narrow down the problem.

Has anyone else had this problem? Any solutions?

Thanks
Automan25[/quote]

[Laser17]

Well, that noise is just the ABS traction testing, you'll notice it at other times, take your car out on an empty road, bring it up to 50 and slam ont he brakes, you will notice that same noise in the pedal, thats the ABS saving you from a lockup, thats how i learned that the noises were related