Acura TSX Rattles and Noises

xplorx4

That click you hear is the ABS system performing a self-diagnostic. Completely normal. My other two ABS-equipped cars do the same thing, although the sounds aren't exactly the same.

thepdmm

I am taking the car (TSX) in to have the car aligned and have the pop sound looked into around the windshield? but before I do I would like to ask others who have had this problem if the problem was fixed, or if it went away? and if it was fixed how did they solve the problem?

To describe the sound it is a popping or creaking sound close to the over head console (were the homelink is located) most of the time when a quick bump or pot hole is encounted. I also get popping in the top corners of the windshield also.

It is definatley NOT a general vibration that just happens at certain RPMs. I have been told it is caused by the car flexing on plastic windshield tabs that were used to hold the windshield square while the glue that holds the windshield in dried

has anybody else had this and is it a big deal to have fixed? is it worth getting fixed or is it not worth having the windshield pulled out of the car (if it is in fact the windshield tabs)

jkobty2

My TSX displays the flexing and popping 'Feature' as well. It seems to happen more on hot days, and it might have to do with the Sunroof as I hear the sounds there as well. But I am not worried, My Acura dealer says it is all normal, just like burning oil is normal, and drifting is normal, and excessive paint chipping is normal, and leather discoloration is normal, and rotor grooving is normal, and brake squeaking is normal, and improperly connected ac drain hose was a simple oversight that only flooded my car with water.
My TSX has so many normal 'Features' it is getting really annoying. I thought only Cavaliers had such problems.
Crackle, pop, squeak, rattle. I just have to get used to the new tunes.

xplorx4

This may not be the same problem as you guys have just described, but I noticed that my sunroof makes similar sounds when the sunshade is retracted. If the sunroof is actually open, the sounds go away. The issue is that the rubber gasket tends to grip the sunroof opening and when the body flexes ever so slightly, it "creaks". The simple fix was to apply a coat of wax around the rim of the sunroof opening and a to wipe the rubber gasket with some vinyl/rubber protectant, such as "303". Of course, you'll have to do this while the sunroof is open (both retracted fully, then closed but tilted up).

thepdmm

jkobty, ever think of trying a differant dealership? As far as all the stuff your talking about I haven't had ANY of the problems your talking about, I Have heard of the sunroof drain problem from other people. but I have not experienced it. If your really that tired of the car get rid of it. I have noticed many messages of you complaining about the car.. If you hate it so much your lucky the car's depreciation is so low, you can get ride of it with out getting it stuck to you so bad.

as far as waxing the sunroof bay I will try that and see if it is maybe the sunroof. I know the sunroof will make a bit of noise, but a lot of the reason I think I can hear that is because of the cabin being so quiet, compared to my old car (eclipse) and my other car (Jeep Cherokee).

jkobty2

There are'nt that many Acura dealerships in my area. The one I go to is half an hour drive and the next one is double that distance. It is my wife's car and she is pretty busy, she cannot afford to waste that much time.
Returning it is an option, but how much in the negative would we be. The car is one year old with 20K miles. I wish we got the Infiniti G35 instead. We chose the TSX because of the nicer interior. Would I be able to trade a one year old TSX with 20K miles on a G35 without incurring a big loss?
On the other hand, if I return it and lose more money, that would mean Acura would have gained twice. I'd rather keep it till the lease end, enjoy the heck out of it as if I was going to dump it tomorrow. Abuse time!

thepdmm

So it takes you an hour to try a new dealership? sounds like it is worth the shot. My dealership were I bought my car is an hour away and there is a dealership 10 minutes from my house.. I can't stand the one by my house and the owner has reputation for being a.... well you can think of the word.

It is amazing what a good dealership can do. besides you have the upper hand in taking your car to a differant dealership. the new dealership knows that you bought the car somewhere else.. they (if they want to make money) are going to want to please you.. AND it looks good when they take business from other dealerships.. the place I bought my car LOVED that I was from another city.

BUT if you hate it well I don't know what to tell you, other then suck up the lose and get rid of it.. You are dealing with Honda all statistics show that they are great cars. so I would make sure you aren't just mad at your car and take it to another dealership first before you bail.

you did say lease though right?? I guess I am not sure how those work.. I own both of our cars, so I really can't help you on a lease contract

victory

My 2004 6M Navi TSX squeeks/chirps in the center of the dash when I run over cracks or other lines on the pavement. Only relatively short/fast obstructions cause the squeeking.

It sounds like plastic parts rubbing together, from the area behind the center of the dash.

Has anyone run into a similar problem?

lori

Was this whistling noise ever corrected ?

cbtsx

I have the same problem. Just got my TSX a week ago and on the drive home, I noticed the chirping/squeak whenever I made a lane change on the freeway. It only does it when going over the lane markers or other small cracks/bumps. It seems to be coming from the center console as well. I am hoping that this is just "new" car noise and that it will go away by itself over time. I don't really want the dash to be ruined by the dealer when they rip out the dash to fix the squeak. I plan on taking it to the dealer in a couple of weeks if the noise doesn't go away by then. Please post if you have isolated or solved the chirping/squeak problem. Thanks.

rn78

I purchased the TSX manual about 10 days ago, and have noticed chirping/squeaking noise out of the driver's side dashboard speaker when driving over "rough" roads, lane changes, or when the car is revving down into low revs (downshifting to second and cruising).

Also, I noticed a slight vibration type noise coming from the passenger's side window/seatbelt area, and am not sure of the cause (same conditions as earlier).

It's nothing dramatic, but it's still there. Hope I'm not being too picky! Anyone have a solution to this, or does this have to go into the dealer?

redkey1

These are common to the tsx. Search around this forum and some of the dedicated tsx sites on the web for more info.

thepdmm

I figured I better say something since I did some "I have rattle" questions in the past.

Since then I have been taken care of by Acura, and my dealership!!! I know I asked the negative questions but as c_hunter mentioned you don't hear the good.. well the good is that the creaks and rattles I did have they were fixed about 99% but then again the rattles I still here I was wasting my time driving to work in dead silence picking the worst roads I could find and freaking about about the smallest noice over a huge bump!!

Since then MOST of those rattles have been fixed, even if I couldn't reproduce them at the dealership (proving that it doesn't happen very often)!!

so I started to realise that I was getting upset about something that happens in every other car.. so I decided to start enjoying the car instead of worrying about it and amazing enough the rattles went away!!

second try riding in your friends car and actually taking as much notice as you do in your TSX if your worried.. cars make noise when you go over pot holes.. avoid them like you would avoid them in your other car. BUT even if you still hit the pot holes I bet your TSX is a lot quieter then 90% of the cars on the road. and if your still not satisfied take it in and ask the dealership, they will take care of you OR buy a car built for maximum body roll and taking curves at 10 mph. (aka: a boat)

verdict my car has been great, sorry I haven't posted anything but I have been too busy enjoying my car!

jkobty2

Yesteday when I started the car and drove, I can hear a clicking sound kinda like a switch going on an off repeatedly and continuously from the dashboard area. The sound was very similar to the arrow signal sound, but my signals were not on.
After I stopped the car, and then came back to restart it, it would not start the first time. I turned the ignition off, waited for a few seconds and then tried again. It started fine. This sound seems to be gone now, but I am really wondering what it was. I sometimes also hear like an electrical static discharge when I turn the ignition on coming from the dashboard odometer area as well. Electrical Gremlins maybe?

irisheyes205

I am having the same problem and it seems to get really bad in colder weather.. the weather here in the Northeast is just beginning to get cold, mornings mostly... when the temp dips to below 55degrees, the noise is really bad.. have you noticed a differnce with the colder weather? (not sure where you live, and if this applies to you).. did you get a fix from the dealer?? I'm very bothered by this noise and would like it to be fixed.

robr2

Cell Phone anywhere near the dash??

I find that my phone interferes with the electronics as it is trying to pick up signals - creates clicking like sounds.

kitkat1

A vibration coming from the left side of the dashboard only when driving on roads with a rough surface. Initial fix by dealer - added some insulation to wiring behind the dashboard. Noise then turned into a rattle sound. Recent fix included replacing the drivers side air vent. We'll see if this works.

thepdmm

I am kind of having that problem.. It is to the point now that only can hear it if there is dead silence and really bumpy.. I did have the vent replaced also and it did not seem solve it.. I would guess it would be the wiring or something back there cause the passenger side doesn't rattle. I am going to try to get up under the dash myself and see if I can see anything..

problem is though there is a lot of stuff back there, and that vent is set up like an amplifier given that it is a big tunnel.

I was driving my friends new Impreza and his left most vent "area" rattles and my jeep does in that area too.. so I am wandering how many cars do it and I just never noticed it.? specially given that I have never had a quiet car cabin (Eclipse before this car).

bilal77

Hi, I bought automatic transmission TSX 3 months ago. Since beginning, I noticed a weird sound, like metal hitting, and it appears to be coming from transmisssion. It comes only during initial 10-15 seconds when I drive the car after engine start specially during cold engine. and I also feel the vibration on the gas pedal. I showed it to my acura dealer, initially they were not able to hear it. But after I keep insisting, they heard it and told me that its normal from Acura. They said its due to some brake lock thing acura has when the car moves after engine startup. I donot hear it always and the loudness of the sound varies all the time. Please tell me if anyone has ever experience the problem.

jselingo

I've read the postings on this common complaint. The dealer said it needed to be lubricated. But the day after I picked it up the noise was worse. Could someone give me more information on this service advisory from Acura on replacing the windshield and windshield clips so I have something to go back to the dealership?

robr2

That sounds like the ABS (anti lock braking) system doing a self check. Nothing to worry about - all cars with ABS do that.

jimby

It's probably your ABS brake system doing its normal startup routine. I experience it with my TSX as well - completely normal.

justin

yea, that noise during the first few seconds of driving after just starting the car is the ABS self-check. 100% normal.

dcdriver1

The front windows on my 8 month old TSX make a horrendous grinding noise (on occasion)when they go down. The rest of time I hear a definite noise when they go down (not heard on the back windows). The dealership acknowldges there is a noise, and has tried to fix it by lubing the inside and replacing the window runners. Now they tell me they can't do anything to fix it - and insist it's caused by the stickers on the windows, but they are not allowed to remove them. Anyone else have this issue?

c_hunter

I heard this once on my wife's TSX, and it was when it had been raining. My impression is that the rubber "scraper" seal at the bottom of the window opening was chattering. I was going to rub some silocone or armor-all on it.

Craig

uncledavid

The dealership's explanation makes little sense to me. I have the same stickers on windows as every other TSX driver and have zero problems with noise of that nature.

mhchang

i too have the weird sound on front windows, does any one have solutions for it? it's only a month ago i bought it...especially when it's really cold, the noise of the window occurs

tommyijr

Does it sound like the whole care is "loose"? The seal that the window slides into can get a little "grippy" at times, just take some Armoural
and work it on the rubber your window rests against when closed. You may have to repeat the step in a day or two but it should be as quite as the day you bought it. This is what I have done and it works, you can also put some rainx on the top of your window if you are so inclined, that helps as well.

jrc

My TSX had a horrendous creaking sound near the bottom of the A pillar on the passenger side, every time I went over a slight bump, especially below 45* temps. Dealer ended up removing the windshield after checking with Acura "techline", cracked it, then replaced with a new one, and it has basically solved the problem. Windshield evidently was not seated well when built. Tell your dealer to call Ramsey Acura in NJ (201-934-8330), ask for Tom in service, and he should be able to advise them.

stillooking

I hear a high pitched sound from the ventilation fan after having the otherwise wonderful TSX 6 spd man for only two months. It occurs on the slowest speeds and goes away if I increase the speed to max. As it comes and goes, I haven't brought it in to the dealer yet. Anyone with a solution?

Thanks.

c_hunter

I had this happen on a Civic many years ago (same exact symptoms), and the noise eventually went away. Maybe try running your fan on higher speeds for a while. I think it's probably a bearing/bushing in the fan or blower. If you can wear it in a little more, the noise might go away.

Craig

victory

Quote:
I have the same problem. Just got my TSX a week ago and on the drive home, I noticed the chirping/squeak whenever I made a lane change on the freeway. It only does it when going over the lane markers or other small cracks/bumps. It seems to be coming from the center console as well. I am hoping that this is just "new" car noise and that it will go away by itself over time. I don't really want the dash to be ruined by the dealer when they rip out the dash to fix the squeak. I plan on taking it to the dealer in a couple of weeks if the noise doesn't go away by then. Please post if you have isolated or solved the chirping/squeak problem. Thanks.
[ End Quote ]

My dealer was about to fix the mid-dash squeeks by tightening the bolts inside the dash that hold the Nav System.

Of course, it seems that they have been slowly coming back.

lancaster

Recommend that you contact the dealer and have them enter the problem in their system to start your written record. I've had my TSX for 6 months and noticed the same problem over the summer. I've been working with the dealer since but we're now approaching the 4th attempt to fix the issue. After three attempts, at least in PA, or 30 calendar days in the shop, the Lemon Law may apply. An important feature of PA's law is that if the dealer purchased the car back, there is a use deduction. The use deduction is 10 cents per mile or 10% of the purchase price, whichever is less. The use deduction relates back to the "first" time you've brought the car in for the problem. As a result, make sure you bring the car in as soon as possible and get it in their system. Good luck with your issues as I look to resolve mine this week.

carridog

I just bought an 05 TSX (auto) about 6 weeks ago. I'm not sure if this is a problem inherent to the vehicle, if it's a real problem, or if I am just overreacting. Ever since day one, when I reach 60 mph, there is a high-pitched whining noise. I stops as soon as I release the accelerator. It also seems to be independent of RPM. The noise also occurs at higher speeds, but it's less pronounced. I mean, the noise isn't super-loud, it's just loud enough to be annoying. I've heard maybe it's a problem with a bad bearing or perhaps not enough oil. Does anyone else have this problem (and have had it fixed) or am I just nuts?

c_hunter

I have heard this noise in other cars and it was a pinion gear in the AWD system (and normal). It was similar to the high pitched sound a TV makes, and you only heard it when pressing on teh throttle at higher speeds. That doesn't necessarily explain your noise, but it does sound like what I associate as a pinion gear noise.

 

I don't believe I have noticed this on our 04 TSX with auto trans, but it's often related to gear tolerances and could certainly vary car to car.

 

Wouldn't hurt to have your fluid levels checked.

 

Craig

thepdmm

I have a 04 TSX 6MT, and the car seems to be making a "fast moving" wind noise coming from the engine compartment (The wind noise MAY even sound a bit like there is moisture in the air). It almost sounds like I can hear the car's air intake, but I have never heard a stock air intake and the air intake is in the front which leads me to believe it isn't that. It also sounds like it is coming from just on the other side of the fire wall. This noise can't be heard until starting at about 6k RPM all the way up through redline. if I hold the RPM or I accelerate through the noise can still be heard. I have NO loss of power (in fact I bet my best acceleration through this point), power is also very smooth. The only other engine component that I can see in the area is the exhaust manifold but I am not sure what is making the noise. Again I am not TOO concerned that it is a bad thing since the car is not loosing power however I would like to know what it is, just in case it is a bad thing.

 

Has anybody else heard this? Do you think, or does your dealer think it is normal?

carridog

Thanks buddy!

 

greg

c_hunter

If you think you are hearing intake noise, check to see if the air cleaner compartment is securely closed and all the intake plumbing is OK. It might not hurt to look at the air filter too, make sure it is not blocked up or collecting leaves.

 

The way they assemble intakes and air cleaner boxes out of plastic components today, it's easy for things to get out of whack and develop a leak. Noise is the major symptom.

 

Craig

thepdmm

I am sure it isn't the air intake. Sounds like the noise (kind of like rushing wind) is coming in behind the glove box. Did it once today but then it quit so I don't know what the deal is. I have read it is normal and given that nobody that has this noise is having engine failure then I am about ready to right it off as normal.

 

that bleeping rattle is coming back in my door though, I wish I could get away from that one!!

kaisha

there have been several posts in this forum regarding "weird wind noises". i just bought a 2005 TSX automatic and i experience an annoying wind noise as well; however, mine sounds like the driver side window is not completely shut and outside air is whistling through. i first hear the noise when i get to 50mph. i've already taken the car into the dealer and they attempted a few things but did not fix the issue. quite frankly, the noise is driving me nuts. the car is awesome and i'm glad i purchased it; however, this wind noise needs to be dealt with. i plan on taking the car back to the dealer and being more aggressive with them to do something about it. i'm going to test drive other TSX's and see if i hear the same noise. i'll update my post after i give this a shot.

ronabi

I too have some wind noise, but not from a window area. It appears to be coming from the front of the car, and I suspect that it is caused by turbulence generated by the wiper arms which are not parked low enough to be protected by the hood. It's not too distracting and is mostly masked by the radio. I assume there is nothing to be done, but am eager to hear from someone if that is not the case.

kaisha

success! Acura narrowed down the wind noise / whistling to the side mirror (specifically, the reflector). they replaced the entire mirror and all is well.

 

i am now a very satisfied Acura TSX owner.

rko2

As long as people are on the topic, I have a suggestion for people who are thinking of adding a roof rack and are concerned with additional wind noise.

 

I just installed a Yakima rack (Q towers, round rods, and Lift Ticket 6 ski rack, NO farring to guide wind over rack) and the extra wind noise is minimal at 80 mph. With the moon roof cover open, I can hear a little extra wind, but no whistling at all. With the moon roof cover closed, I can't notice much of a difference. With skis on the rack, wind noise (or lack there of) seemed to be the same. I haven't measured gas mileage, so I don't know how worse it is.

 

I just hope the bike racks are still ok.

ofcn

Had the same problem starting from day one. After 8000 miles the dealer replaced the throttle body assembly. That did not work. After 10000 miles the dealer replaced the transmission. That solved the problem. Liked the car before and after the problem was fixed. The noise was just very annoying to me. I brought copies of communications from this forum to convince the dealer that the problem was real.

carridog

Oh my God! I have a bad transmission? I guess I'll have to take it in after all. Great.

 

Oh yah. Thanks for the info btw.

kyfdx

Actually... a transmission swap is the easiest of the "big" problems to solve... It sounds terrible... but a very easy repair.. and then, as good as new...

ceeece

Kaisha,

 

I am experiencing the same wind noise as you did. Mine sounds like it is coming from the passenger door not being entirely shut. Which mirror did you get fixed? Driver or passenger? Thanks.

02accrdv6ex

OFCN: Was yours auto or 6sp?

kaisha

sorry, it was the driver side they replaced.

kaisha

kyfdx... can you summarize for us again what led you to have the transmission replaced?