New vehicle making an unexpected loud noise?

2023ARMADAOWNER

MEMBER
2023 NISSAN ARMADA
2WD
AUTOMATIC
4,500 MILES

My new vehicle listed above (4,000 miles) has started making loud noise at random times. When it makes the noise, it sounds like a dump truck or jet engine about to take off. I couldn't replicate it at dealer so sent him a video (https://youtu.be/fGRnW3meLRg?si=U85T76mkm9FM-2EK). Nothing happened so I opened a case with Nissan Consumer Affairs.

After that, the dealer tested the vehicle for 2 days and confirmed the noise was from Fan Clutch but said this could be normal as fan is supposed to kick in when engine gets hot. However, none could explain why the fan would stay engaged for long time - I have videos of fan staying engaged for 17+ mins before I stopped recording. I have heard the fan's loud noise when temperature on the dashboard showed 90+F and absolutely no noise when temperature on dashboard was 110+F. Dealer then said he will wait for Nissan to confirm if this is normal behavior or needs replacement.

Later, Nissan sent their own tech to check my vehicle and compare it with another brand-new vehicle on dealer lot. I had to keep my car at the dealer for 3+ days again. The latest update I have from Nissan Consumer Affairs is that their tech guy was ruling out that the issue is not related to vehicle's cooling system / air conditioning.

Waiting on Nissan to confirm if fan clutch indeed needs replacement. There are so many forums and videos where people have talked about same loud noise being observed in Armada and Titans (even Patrol - the non US version of Armada). However, Nissan is taking its time to "investigate". Really frustrating and if they replace the fan clutch, not sure if it won't recur within days / months.

Waiting on Nissan to tell me and the dealer what is the fix. Car making loud noises at random times cannot be normal under any circumstances.

Challenge is the noise seems to have its own mind, comes up randomly.

5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,536 POSTS

Thanks for the video, it helps. Yes, this is the fan clutch, but this fan clutch is controlled by the PCM which maybe having an issue as well. Here is a wiring diagram of the system so you can see the components involved with the fan clutch control operation. If there are no codes, I would have them replace the fan clutch assembly which is defective.

REMOVAL

1. Remove the front under cover with power tool. Refer to FRONT UNDER COVER : Removal & Installation.
2. Remove fan shroud (lower). Refer to RADIATOR : Exploded View.
3. Move reservoir tank to the position without the hindrance for work, refer to following.
Remove fixed bolts
Remove reservoir tank hose clamp.
4. Remove radiator upper seal. Refer to RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT : Exploded View.
5. Remove fan shroud (upper), refer to following.
Remove EVAP hose.
Remove fan shroud (upper) mounting bolts.
Move air cleaner to the position without the hindrance for work.
Remove engine cover. Refer to ENGINE COVER : Exploded View.
6. Remove cooling fan.
7. Remove drive belt. Refer to DRIVE BELT : Removal & Installation.
8. Disconnect fan coupling harness connector.
9. Remove fan coupling.
10. Remove bracket.
11. Remove cooling fan pulley.
12. Remove Idler pully.
13. Remove the fan bracket, refer to following.
Disconnect A/C compressor connector. Refer to Refer to MAGNET CLUTCH : Exploded View.
Remove A/C compressor mounting bolt.
Fan bracket mounting bolt.
INSTALLATION

Installation is in the reverse order of removal.

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

Images (Click to make bigger)

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Wednesday, July 17th, 2024 AT 11:48 AM

2023ARMADAOWNER

MEMBER
11 POSTS

Thank you Ken.

I got a message from Nissan Consumer Affairs representative that he is trying to get an approval to fix my Fan clutch through the dealer. However, since the dealer was unable to reproduce the issue at his end it's a bit tricky to get approval. Sounds incredulous but that's what I have been told. I am hoping this gets resolved soon as the car hardly had 4k miles and is still under warranty.

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Friday, July 19th, 2024 AT 10:20 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,536 POSTS

Yep, you have to just keep leaning on them and they will fix it. Let me know how it goes.

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+1

Saturday, July 20th, 2024 AT 10:11 AM

2023ARMADAOWNER

MEMBER
11 POSTS

Hi Ken,

Finally got the fan clutch replaced today under warranty from another dealer. The first dealer didn't budge and refused to replace the fan clutch and kept saying that he can't replace it because in his tests, the fan clutch came up loud but would stop after a while and this was normal. I had opened a case with Nissan Consumer Affairs and the representative told me he wants to get the fan clutch replaced but is unable to get approval as the dealer is saying he can't reproduce. So, I asked Nissan CA if I could just approach another dealer and he was absolutely fine with it.

The 2nd dealer also tested and initially came back with similar observations that fan clutch is behaving normally. However, this 2nd dealer allowed me to speak to the actual technician himself and when I told him that I have recording of it making loud noise for almost 20 minutes, he immediately said he will replace it.

While going to the dealer, I kept hearing the noise but after replacement on my way back, it was quiet. Hoping that this solved the issue. Will keep observing keenly for next few days.

Thanks for the tip. Much appreciated.

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Friday, July 26th, 2024 AT 5:20 PM

KEN L