Short noise only at a cold start

EALLGOOD

MEMBER
2011 DODGE JOURNEY
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
57,000 MILES

My car has been making a noise that only happens for a split second when started for the first time of the day. After the initial start the noise goes away and will not re-occur that day. The noise almost sounds like a cough or short grind (it reminds me of the noise a starter makes if it is dragging) but it cannot be pinpointed because it is so short and non recurring. I have just started to notice this noise after a repair was made to the transmission and am not sure if it is because of the cold or because something may not have been put together correctly after having a gear in my transmission replaced. I have taken to 3 dealerships and none can pinpoint the noise. Please help me.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

There is a tool you might be able to borrow or rent from an auto parts store that borrows them called the "Chassis Ear". It is a set of six microphones, a switch box, and headphones. You clip the microphones to suspect points, then drive around while listening with the headphones. You can move the microphones around to zero in on the source of the noise. Be aware that many mechanics have never seen or even heard of this tool. Suspension and alignment mechanics use it to find rattles, squeaks, and other noises.

The Chassis Ear was distributed to all Chrysler dealerships in the mid '90s but it got very little use, mostly by me. The problem is you have such a short window of time to listen for the source of the noise, but over the course of a number of days, this might provide a clue.