Weird problem I need help diagnosing

[IcecreamLtDan]

Not too sure if this is suspension or engine/tranny related so I put this in here. I've owned this 2005 model for about two weeks now and Friday something strange happened to it. This is an Edge model 4x4 truck with the 4.0l engine and automatic tranny in it, with just over 14,000 miles on it. My wife and I were leaving to go into town Friday, we got in and I started the truck. While it was still sitting there, in Park and we had both doors closed I suddenly heard a "grinding" noise. It only lasted a second, and I wasn't even sure if it was my truck or not as I park it in the street and there was another vehicle driving by. We went to several places in town and it never did it again when I restarted it. The best way I can think of describing the noise is this, if you've ever put your vehicle into park before it has completely stopped, the tranny will make a grinding, clicking noise. That's what it sounded like. Since it never did it again, I assumed it was the other vehicle.

Well, Saturday, I went out and washed my wife's car, afterward I took the truck and moved it into the driveway to wash it and it did it again. I started the truck, it was still in park, and it made the same noise. I did not notice any change in engine RPM or anything else. It happened so quickly I couldn't even get an idea where it came from. Today, my wife and I needed to go into town again, so this time when I started it up, both my wife and I were standing outside the truck by the doors. Sure enough, it did it again and we both thought it sounded like it was in the lower part of the front half of the truck, somewhere in the engine, tranny area. Tomorrow, when I leave to go to work, I am going to pop the hood and have my wife start it while I'm in the front.

The thing is, after it does it that initial time, it never does it again. Today, we must have made 4 or 5 different stops and it never did it when I started the truck. I do not see any change in RPM when it happens, or afterwards. I checked the usual fluid levels and everything seems fine. I got my crawler out and rolled under the truck and I don't see anything obvious wrong with it. Anybody ever have something similar? I've not checked to see if the 4 wheel drive actually works or not. I know putting the switch into high 4 and low 4 and the light does come on, but I don't hear any kind of clunk or anything. What's the easiest way to check and see if it is working. Just get on a dirt road and floor it in 4 wheel drive and see if all 4 wheels spin, or is there an easier way? Anyway, if anyone has any ideas, I'd appreciate it, thanks.

 

[footee]

I assume it went into gear and shifted fine? Depending on when it was made, you should still have a factory warranty on it. Hell, I'd take it to the dealership you bought it at and raise hell. If you didn't buy it from a dealer, take it to one anyway and raise hell. With 14K miles, it shouldn't be making any kinds of strange noises. The problem with that is that they will have to duplicate the noise before they can fix it which would most likely mean you would have to leave the truck with them over night. As to what it could be; Does the check engine light come on? How long after start up does it occur? Does it have dual exhaust? Maybe a heatshield rattling when it idles down after start up.

As for testing your four wheel drive, on dry pavement, lock it in 4-hi, it should be engaged as soon as the light comes on, turn the wheels all the way and try to move. Don't try real hard as that will break stuff but you will feel the resistance of the "inside" wheel trying to rotate at the same speed as the "outside" making the truck lunge some. Hope I've helped.

 

[fireguy12117]

its a long shot, but is your defrost on when this happens? i know its a totally different vehicle but my 93 AC compressor had a bad bearing that would only make a noise when the truck was in drive and i was at a stop with my foot on the brake. the AC clutch would cycle and it would only make a noise for a short moment the poof, gone. it never happened when i was off of idle.

 

[insansk8er90]

i had the same thing happen on and off, in my 1994 ranger. i think. is it like you start it and like the second you let of the key for it to run and no starter engaged? well for me my starter bendex wasnt disengage when it was sposed to. but it can be tge started teeth bendex and fly wheel in my eyes?

 

[Jspafford]

Does it sound like a motor with bad bearing spooling up and stopping?

My F-250 does this noise everytime I start it. I have no idea what it is, but I think it may be related to the fuel evaporation system.

Mine will even do it if I turn the key to on, without starting the motor. It takes about 5 seconds and then it happens.

Just a thought.

 

[shadetree]

Possibly idler pulley on serpentine belt. shady

 

[reno]

I know mine made a weird noise once or maybe twice. Sounded like the fan was going through the radiator, but only lasted about 5 seconds, and only when I was throttling in gear gaining speed from 2nd to 3rd. Have not heard it since, at first I thought, uh oh, the pilot bearing.....but like I said, never heard it again.