I am hearing the strangest noise and I can't figure it out

"03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST" (03mach1)
11/13/2014 at 09:49 • Filed to: None

It's driving me crazy. I have no idea what's going on. Recently, temperatures plummeted to 20 degrees here in Texas. So I'm thinking that's related.

Sometimes when I come to a complete stop, a noise will come from the rear. I don't know how to describe it, not a whine, creak or squeak. More like a horn? I haven't found any videos with a similar noise. It only happens when I'm stopped, brakes in or out. As soon as I hit the gas the noise goes away completely. When it started this morning, I revved the car and the noise went away.

I'm stumped. The car drives fine besides to difficulty shifting due to the weather. I want to get out of my car and see if I can get a better idea of what it is, but it doesn't happen when I get home of course. Any ideas? I'm so frustrated.

DISCUSSION (30)

EL_ULY > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
11/13/2014 at 09:55

while your are slowing down, at the moment of completely stopping, or while stopped?

JGrabowMSt > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
11/13/2014 at 09:56

Could be body mounts making noise, the bushings can go bad, and become most obvious when cold. Ive seen a few R129 SL cars that were really bad and pretty loud...

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > EL_ULY
11/13/2014 at 09:57

Usually a second or two after I stop the sound will gradually start to come on.

EL_ULY > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
11/13/2014 at 09:59

A constant sound after stopping or a singular noise once the weight shifts back evenly after stopping?

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > JGrabowMSt
11/13/2014 at 09:59

I've been planning on replacing some bushings when I get my shocks and struts changed. The car would occasionally squeak (Not to often) over bumps. The most common cause are bad spring isolators. Would those make noise when the car isn't moving though?

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > EL_ULY
11/13/2014 at 10:03

You know I haven't paid attention to see if it happens when the weight shifts back. The sound always catches me off guard. But the sound will stay there until I hit the gas. So it's constant once it starts.

EL_ULY > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
11/13/2014 at 10:06

once up to temperature, does the sound change?

Sethersm > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
11/13/2014 at 10:11

Fuel pump?

Vibration of something caused by higher warm up idle rpm? License plate? Plate frame? Something in the trunk? Exhaust?

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > EL_ULY
11/13/2014 at 10:13

I haven't driven it enough to check that. It only started doing this yesterday. The sound does come at different volumes however. Sometimes it's louder and other times it's quieter.

Meatcoma > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
11/13/2014 at 10:14

fuel pump drone? Or whine?

Meatcoma > Meatcoma
11/13/2014 at 10:15

Since you live in TX, they probably don't put additive in your fuel and since it got below freezing, you may have some slushy in the gas lines. Do you park your car outside? It should go away as the temperature rises.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Sethersm
11/13/2014 at 10:18

The fuel pump is an interesting idea. These cars are notorious for fuel pump problems, but only after sitting for a long time. And I've been driving mine plenty.

Idle has been higher because it takes so long to warm up. I'm not sure what could be vibrating though. Plate is fine, nothing in the trunk and maybe I should check the exhaust. I got it adjusted because it kept scraping the ground. Maybe it's hitting something?

EL_ULY > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
11/13/2014 at 10:20

probably the sound bouncing off different things changing the volume. If it can be confirmed in the rear, maybe just cold and dry bushings (exhaust hinges). If up front, it will vary. Confirmation and isolating will be key of course, I vote on a louder exhaust.

jovimon7 > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
11/13/2014 at 10:20

"But the sound will stay there until I hit the gas. So it's constant once it starts." Sounds like it's in the rotating assembly, clutch in or out? throw out bearing maybe? even something simple like the fan belt.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Meatcoma
11/13/2014 at 10:23

It's not really a whine. I guess it might be a drone. And I do park my car outside. Would slushy gas lines cause any major problems? I haven't driven my car enough in the past day to really let it warm up in the cold yet.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > EL_ULY
11/13/2014 at 10:27

Would it be bushings though if it goes away as soon as I rev the car? It does make sense to be dry bushings though, I occasionally hear a squeak when going over bumps and the most common cause of that are spring isolators.

I'm about to go for a drive, anything I should look for to help isolate the noise? Thanks for your help by the way! And louder exhaust would be awesome...

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > jovimon7
11/13/2014 at 10:28

It happens with the clutch in and out, I even went through a few gears and nothing changed. It also sounds like it's coming from the rear. So I'm not sure it's anything with the clutch. I got a new one (Including a new TOB) two months ago.

EL_ULY > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
11/13/2014 at 10:31

Sure it can, when you rev, the whole car moves, especially on a Mach 1.

I suggest driving slowly next to a wall with the windows down so the sound can bounce back good. Try to find a building or something in a quiet place. Hopefully there are also bumps to help. Make sure to stop and accelerate also. Take someone to help as well.

Meatcoma > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
11/13/2014 at 10:35

Nah. Maybe just makin the fuel pump work a little harder which is causing the drone. If that's what it is. Could be a multitude of things though. If it warms up and goes away that's what I would assume it was.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > EL_ULY
11/13/2014 at 10:36

Ya, I just thought of that actually. The car moves quite a bit.

I might be able to use my garage. I can't think of any quiet places with walls to drive by. But I'll definitely look for some. Thanks again for the help!

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Meatcoma
11/13/2014 at 10:55

Thanks. I have a lot to look out for.

EL_ULY > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
11/13/2014 at 11:09

Kinja'd!!!

1337HPMustang > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
11/13/2014 at 11:18

Maybe your driveshaft? Rear diff? Your problem reminds me of my two piece driveshaft and clutch chattering when idling, although I'm not saying that's what's causing it. If I had to guess, the combination of idle vibrations and cold metal on metal contact is making a sound you don't normally hear. If I were you I wouldn't worry... If it ain't broke, don't fix it

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > 1337HPMustang
11/13/2014 at 11:39

I thought about the diff but I don't think that's it. You'd hear more noise when you're moving.

I'm not to worried, I just want to know what it is. But after some discussion it looks like it's weather related. So I've gotta deal with it. Thanks!

 > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
11/13/2014 at 12:26

Could be exhaust resonance?

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST >
11/13/2014 at 12:33

Could be, I did just have my exhaust adjusted. But I'm leaning on the bushings now. I already know they're bad, so it would make sense.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
11/13/2014 at 22:08

Could be your clutch. Clutches don't like the cold

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
11/13/2014 at 22:15

No they do not. But I just got a new one. And the noise doesn't change when I push the clutch in or out. Same thing when I go through the gears.

T5Killer > 03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST
12/01/2014 at 14:29

Check the rear upper control arm bushings on the rear end. Its a common bushing to go out of Fox/SN95 cars. When mine went bad they made weird noises like that.

03mach1 - Now has a Fiesta ST > T5Killer
12/01/2014 at 14:46

I'm not sure it's a bushing. It doesn't make sense for it to make that noise at idle and stop immediately after I turn the car off.