So the past few days I've been getting a strange rattling or shaking/shuttering type sound in my car. It only happens when I'm pulling away from a dead stop and is pretty much isolated to 1st gear… though it has happened very briefly as I shifter into 2nd gear. It also seems to be prevalent only when the RPMs are very low. The sound seems to be coming from the driver side, almost sounds as if it’s coming from behind the dash and under my feet. It’s not a normal rattle in the dash or seats… this is a pretty loud obtrusive sound. Originally I’d thought maybe it was a loose exhaust pipe but it seems to be coming from more the side of the car and less the center of the car. I believe I’ve read on here in the past that some folks had a problem with the firewall rattling, but I’m not sure if this is the case. If I can’t identify it, then I guess I’m going to have to put it back to stock and take it into the dealership…

Anyone have any ideas?

 

Anyone...? Bueller...?

 

there are two heat shields on
each side of the drivetrain. maybe
one is loose.

gotta get under there and do a visual.

 

Yeah, I had one of those heat shields right under the drivers seat rattling against the frame....

 

i was pretty careful removing and storing
mine (during my last project), i didn't
want to bend one out of shape....there
so thin it wouldn't take much....

 

Would it be blatantly obviousy upon a visual inspection if it was one of the heat shields making that noise? I'm not too sure what to look for....

 

I'm going to throw this out there just incase, since you recently added your cai, and this sound just popped up. Did you make sure to use the small tie straps on the front of the plastic heat shield? That thing makes a horrible rattle if its not secure.

 

Hmmm.... I did just add it 2 weeks ago and the sound started about 1 week ago. I didn't see any tie straps in the packaging but I have plenty at the house.

I think you might be on to something! Let me try that tonight and see if that works... thanks, I appreciate the advice!

 

LOL well in that case i'm 99.999 percent sure that is what the problem is. I just installed my cai/tune on Tuesday. I went around the block and started gettting that horrible noise. It sounded even worse at wot. I pulled over and popped the hood and then remembered the instructions saying to tie the end of the heat shield down. I put the ties and the sound hasnt come back.
Good luck-

 

Mine does the same thing when I take off and the revs are below what it is at idle. I just figured it was the engine shaking the whole car because it is very close to stalling. If you've ever stalled a car, it can be violent lol I don't think this means anything is wrong with your car... but if there is something wrong, I need to get mine checked too.