Anyone else have a automatic which, when stopped in Drive with your foot on the brake, a fairly loud vibrating noise is heard? It seems like it might be the exhaust or something else loose rattling around.

My licsense plate rattles from time to time on my autoCherry...it is telling me to drill two more holes to attach the bottom of the plate. I really don't want to but I might bite the bullet and do it anyway.

Do you have the AEM CAI? I have that same rattle, and it is the CAI hitting the airbag sensor. (Getting it fixed this week)

dynamat your license plate

use a piece of foam with 3M adhesive backing (like 1/8" thick) to sit between the intake and the sensor..

those two should fix the rattling.. if that is indeed what's rattling..

makes me glad i'll be gettin a manual

Thanks for the ideas. I don't have a cold air intake, and I've got a paper temp tag with a plastic tag holder. I don't think the tag can make any noise, but I'll check it out. When I get the permanent metal tag, I'll make sure it's mounted vibration-free. What is WITH the two cheap-___ phillips head screws they give you for the tag??? I guess the japs have to cut corners somewhere to make our boxes inexpensive.

Anyone else have a automatic which, when stopped in Drive with your foot on the brake, a fairly loud vibrating noise is heard? It seems like it might be the exhaust or something else loose rattling around.

The only vibration I get is when the cooling fan turns on. Are you sure it's not your cooling fan?

Yeah, it only happens when you are at a complete stop in drive, and it doesn't do it all the time. I've noticed a vibration in many automatic cars stopped in drive with your foot on the brake, but something loose is making a rattling noise.

I'm waiting for someone to suggest just cranking the radio, which does work.

I'm having the exact same noise. Its annoying as hell. I tried changing gas brands. Went from Shell to Exxon and thought that fixed it. I didn't hear the knocking noise for a few days. Unfortunately, this morning she was knocking again. I'm going to try synthetic oil when I get it changed next week. If that doesnt quiet the knock, I'm taking it in to the dealer to see what he thinks about it. -Sam

My noise is definitely something loose rattling when the box vibrates at a stop - not the electric cooling fan or engine knock. If you really have engine knock, which is predetonation, you would notice it most when accelerating under load. I don't think you'd be knocking while stopped unless your engine is predetonating all the time. Predetonation is very bad for your engine, and should be stopped ASAP to prevent motor damage by switching to a higher octane gas, which is harder to burn, or correcting a mechanical problem. Our weenie motors are designed to burn regular 87 octane gas, and I think predetonation is a rarity with the 1.5's. If you've got rod knock, it would be new engine time. If you're pretty sure your engine is knocking and it's not something else, I would be extremely concerned and take it to the dealer.

oh man...

heavy :(

good luck with that :shock:

Damn, and i thought it was just me. I took my RS1 otut today for its full days run for work. After a couple of lights, i noticed a rattlel under the hood. Almost sounds like where the intake is, but i have an INJEN, not the AEM. I look for a minute under the hood, and cant fins anything loose in the CAI region. If it continues, ill have to look further into it. But it is definately when at a complete stop, the sec it starts to roll, or i let off the brake just a tad, it stops. Lemme know what you find out.

Here you guys go, a Toyota TSB, as found in the Maintenence and Problems forum: http://home.earthlink.net/~frazsj/SQUEAKANDRATTLESERVICETIPS.pdf

Print it out, bring the papers to your dealer, and tell them you want it fixed :)

I'm about to take mine in to have the oil changed an get the TSB rattles repaired, but I am wondering if anyone has heard of this:

When I am stopped I here a very distinct clicking (almost like water dripping) from the rear of the car. I've checked underneath and don't see anything. It only seems to come up when I have the break on. Any thoughts?

After I start the car, let it warmed up until 1K RPM then move slowly (blue temp light still lit):
Mine rattles when I'm at an angled street at a stoplight. Typically nose pointing downwards. I've had this issue with an '01 Camry. Mine is an autoxB too.

Sounds like an the exhuast pipe is hitting something or maybe resonator or muffler. More like a metallic clanging sound.

However, 500yds or so later it doesn't rattle at a light. Weird, I'll still bring it in.

we have two hooked up xB (i will post pics soon) and they did the same thing and our techs are looking into the problem.. but we think it is deffinaty in the intake area .. there is no other reason to it

Mine was intermitant, some stops it would do it, and others it wouldnt. Like i said, i did look at the intake while i was at the dealers today showing him the cracked paint on my strut bar from the techs tightening the strut nut too tight. My filter is clear, and the intake is not hitting anything. It may have to do with the battery and its location. Other then pulling out the headlight, i didnt remove anything else from that part of the car. And the niose is definately coming from the drivers side front.

If you guys at ShoreScion NJ find something, lemme know.

Hey Carolina guy check the top of your airbox. There's this gold colored thing that attaches to the side of the airbox, squeeze it tight to the airbox and this should solve the problem. Atleast that's what my noise was.

Let me know if it helps.

I'm pretty sure a few of us are having the same problem. The symptoms are much the same. Mine is an auto, makes "the noise" only when stopped and in drive, and if I'm at an incline or decline, its pretty much gauranteed to happen. If anyone finds the solution before I take mine in this weekend, please post! :?:

Carolina Guy, my XA does the exact same thing. If I put it in Neutral, the rattling stops. At first, I wondered if it was the intake rattling, cuz it sounds like the upper part of the engine, but why would it stop if I take it out of Drive?

Anyone else have a automatic which, when stopped in Drive with your foot on the brake, a fairly loud vibrating noise is heard? It seems like it might be the exhaust or something else loose rattling around.

Dude just crank up the stereo!!! :wink:

~WC

Hmmm.........I'm curious myself too. My box seems to make a 'rattling' noise in the front of the car when at a stand still. I took it to the dealership thinking it may be the AEM air intake. They took it apart and re-assembled the intake. The sound seems to be dimmer but still gets a faint rattling noise time to time. Let me know when there is a 'fix' for this known issue/problem. Thanks.

I had this same problem........freaked me out. I was like "man...this car is brand new.......I don't want it in the shop."

When I'd throw it in park......the noise would stop. So......I put it in drive......and pulled the emergency brake. That kept the car still while I let it idle in drive and searched for the source of the noise.

Seemed to be coming from the engine bay. I opened the hood.........noise went away. Hmm. Closed the hood back up........noise came back. Hmmm. Put pressure on the top of the hood.......noise stopped. Eureka........source of the problem located.

I opened the hood back up, and to either side of the hood latch.........there are some black rubber stops slightly smaller in diameter than a quarter. These make contact with the hood when it is shut to prevent rattling. Well.....the thing is.......the rubber stops screw in and out like....well.......screws. I unscrewed them slightly so that they were higher (ie, made better contact with the hood when closed)........and voila........problem solved.

Dunno if this is your issue.........but might want to give it a shot.

KiL

Sounds like an the exhuast pipe is hitting something or maybe resonator or muffler. More like a metallic clanging sound.


bet ya thats it.... probly a heat shield--- I think I remember an echo with that problem came for an oil change once. It was hard to find it so make sure they check exhaust.

I had this same problem........freaked me out. I was like "man...this car is brand new.......I don't want it in the shop."

When I'd throw it in park......the noise would stop. So......I put it in drive......and pulled the emergency brake. That kept the car still while I let it idle in drive and searched for the source of the noise.

Seemed to be coming from the engine bay. I opened the hood.........noise went away. Hmm. Closed the hood back up........noise came back. Hmmm. Put pressure on the top of the hood.......noise stopped. Eureka........source of the problem located.

I opened the hood back up, and to either side of the hood latch.........there are some black rubber stops slightly smaller in diameter than a quarter. These make contact with the hood when it is shut to prevent rattling. Well.....the thing is.......the rubber stops screw in and out like....well.......screws. I unscrewed them slightly so that they were higher (ie, made better contact with the hood when closed)........and voila........problem solved.

Dunno if this is your issue.........but might want to give it a shot.

KiL

Houston, i think we have a winner. Im gonna try this today before i leave for work. I would be willing to bet this is it. I have had other rattles on other cars that these bumpers were off by just a twist, and it would rattle.

The reason the rattle stops when you move, your taking the movement out of the rattle and moving the car. This would lead me to believe that it would be the hood, as soon as you start to roll at idle, the car moves, and takes the flex out of the hood and front body panels. Ill let you guys know ....

Thanks everyone for all the excellent ideas. Those of us experiencing the rattle now have several possible sources to trace. King Lou, awesome idea to leave it in gear and use the emergency brake so you get get out to listen for the noise source. If I can't figure out what's up, I'm going to have my wife drive me around strapped to the fender like a trophy buck so I can listen for where the noise is coming from.

Will C, I beat you to the cranking tunes idea many posts earlier. As a matter of fact, my wife never even noticed the rattle until after I asked her because she always had tunes playing loud (and/or the 20 month old buttmonkey in the back was hollering). It's a shame women have equal rights and we have to let them drive. (Only kidding Scion-chicks, no need to flame out :)

Hmm...well mine is going into the dealer Thursday for a couple of things including the missing AEM bracket. I was hoping that would take care of the rattle, but now i'm a little afraid it won't take care of the problem because people without the AEM have the exact same problem

If I put it in Neutral, the rattling stops.

So when i get it back from the dealer I'll see if it's taken care of

But yesterday i developed a rattle in the driver's door panel which seems to happen randomly...maybe more during acceleration...ugghh.... :roll:

(and/or the 20 month old buttmonkey in the back was hollering). It's a shame women have equal rights and we have to let them drive. (Only kidding Scion-chicks, no need to flame out :)

Who the hell calls their own child a buttmonkey?
That aint right! :D


Doc

Ok, Houston, we still have a problem, turning the bumpers up didnt help. I dont want to turn them up so far that the hood sits higher then the side panels. I was thinking it was the prop bar that holds up the hood while its open. I dunno.

I tried raising the rubber stoppers under the hood... twice. Once before I left work, and then when I left work tonight. It seems improved, but the rattle is still there and is still intermittant. It only does it when I am at a full stop, with the car in Drive and my foot on the brake. It still stops when I take it out of Neutral. I will have another look in the morning, when it's light out, to see if the stoppers can be raised higher or not.

The mystery continues...... Hopefully I'll have time this weekend to try some of the suggested remedies. Everyone keep us posted on your success eliminated the dreaded stop-rattle.

Doc, I don't just call her a buttmonkey. That's her legal given name, with a small b. It should help her stand out from those other single-name supermodels. Or pop stars. Or first female NFL starting placekicker.

Have you tried putting it in P or N when the noise starts? I had that a few times when it was brand gnu and it seemed like the car still wanted to go even when it was stopped. Just a thought.

Well, after 2 turns on the bump stops under the hood, i havent had the rattle this far. This was with a full day of stop and go driving, and nada. Maybe it was the fix.

Even with the rubber stoppers raised too high (the hood was no longer even with the sides), the rattle was still there... just not as loud. I had to turn them back down til the hood closed level. I will try to see if it really is the hood (it seems to be) or if the heat shield is making noise.

Well, after 2 turns on the bump stops under the hood, i havent had the rattle this far. This was with a full day of stop and go driving, and nada. Maybe it was the fix.

Glad I may have helped at least one person's problem. :D

KiL

Even with the rubber stoppers raised too high (the hood was no longer even with the sides), the rattle was still there... just not as loud. I had to turn them back down til the hood closed level. I will try to see if it really is the hood (it seems to be) or if the heat shield is making noise.

The easiest thing to do is to find a drive way that has a pitch to it that causes the rattle, have someone tap the throttle just enough to get it moving, then hit the brake hard enugh to cause the rattle. Just so happens my first client Wed has such a driveway. I had the wife drive and stop while i walked along the drivers side and held the hood all the way open. Dont you know, while the hood was open, no rattle. I dont think the prop bar would be strong enough to withstand any torque from being in drive. 2 days, and no rattle.

Something else you may want to check into, i noticed that the prop bar is very loose on the end that is fastened to the radiator support. Try wedging a piece of foam or a towel into the gap to tighten the bar up.

Hmmm, has anyone thought that maybe the EBD (electronic brake distribution) may be the issue? Maybe it's not distributing properly, LOL. Seriously, maybe the engine braking that EBD was designed for is flawed.

I heard it alot or rattles today while I was terrorizing the streets of our Nations Capital. Very embarassing with all the rattle noise. This is the first time that the box rattled more than once while stopped. I had two extra other people this time too...hmmm

BUMP

Scheduled an appointment on April 12th (yeah, it's way in the future). I called Scion support first, told me that this was the first time anyone has mentioned it to them. I'm going to have TSB NV008-03 performed as well. I wonder if the rattle can solved by performing this TSB? Hhmm. Any Cali folks had this issue right after the June 03 launch?

i took mine to the dealer last week. They didn't do anything...they need more time to investigate (it was there from opening to closing). Little annoyed :evil:

My friend just got a box....i'll have to check out if hers does it w/o the CAI

Mine started when i got my first free oil change from the dealer. It seems to idle much harder. They use Castrol oil, if that means anything. It does sound crappy at the stop light. I noted that the intake box is shaking profusely. Or it sounds like some kind of valve or loose item. Lets stay on top of this guys.

Sheeesh...

I haven't had this problem yet but, also haven't been in to do my first free oil change. I'm getting nervous about it now though after following this thread.

I love the way it runs now, I'd be unhappy to see it take a turn for the worse. Especially after having the Dealer work on it.

I had no problems with the install (after purchase) of the sway bars with sound and all... Did anybody that bought their autoBox from Longo acquire this problem after scheduled maintenance was performed at Longo?

:?

Bad news, the rattle is back. Weather here in the North East is cold and wet ( actually was snowing this afternoon ). As soon as i can im gonna look into this further.

I'm wondering... if it is the hood for sure, and raising the rubber stoppers to the highest you can doesn't quite solve it, (though it did show some improvement), what other fix can I try to get the hood to stop rattling?

I have an appointment with the service dept in 2 weeks, but I would have to take them on a test drive since it's intermittant.

Just a thought, but maybe we are getting flooded (again) with crappy gas. I have noticed (historicly) when seasons change and there is some sort of gas drama, some kind of gas issue arises. It's just a thought.

I cant speak for everyone, but my rattle is just that, a rattle. Its not a knock from bad gas, it is clearly a rattle of something under or either the hood. A knock would be heard under strain on the engine, the rattle happens only when the car is at a stand still ( usually at a stop light ) and releasing the pressure on the brake pedal can reduce/eliminate the sound all together. This is clearly a vibration of some kind.

Alright, I took my Box to the service department (Russell Toyota/Scion in Maryland). The Scion Tech, Nate, checked it out. They found out that the rubber stoppers were tightened too LOW. Thus causing the rattle noise. So they adjusted it. I asked if the hood was flush with the rest of the engine bay and the Service guy, Greg, said it is. I haven't confirmed anything cause I'm at work. I'll take the box home after I get out of work and confirm everything. Not sure how high they set the stoppers though. Can't remember who brought up the "check rubber stoppers, " KingLou perhaps. But I still need to confirm.

BTW, excellent service at Russell Scion. They even gave me a loaner car because it's a warranty issue for free. It is a 2004 Toyota Avalon with leather seats, sunroof, armrest, JBL stereo, oh man, felt like I was driving a Cadillac.

I have the problem too, only happens at stops though. It goes away once i accelerate. I wonder if it's the rubber stops for my problem. I have a cf hood btw. But i have no idea if that has anything to do with it, since a lot of you have this problem.

Well, I know for sure that mine isn't the hood. I have the same symptoms as most. Auto trans., only makes the noise at a complete stop and its worse on hills, and goes away as soon as I release the break. The first time I heard it I threw on the E-break, left the car in gear, and popped the hood for a listen. The noise was there even with the hood open! Its louder from the inside though. Its barely audible from the outside. I couldnt pin down where it was coming from though, somewhere around the tranny, maybe an exhaust pipe vibrating? :?:

Well, just got the box. Greg pointed out that the hood is still flush. Though not as flush as before but barely noticeable. Before I left the car at the shop, Nate, the tech said that the motor and transmission or brake are "fighting" each other. Not sure what that really means. Does that mean we really have BOXER engines like on the subarus...LOL, just kidding.

I drove it around, and no rattling while in drive and stopped. However, I can still here something trying to mimic the noise as before. Yeah, probably the exhuast. Or maybe the car rumbles way too much as it should. Possible motor mount as well, if that's teh case. I'll call up Scion Customer Service tomorrow and tell em about it again. They wanted to know this issue too.

I took a look under the hood this evening, and found something interesting. The brake booster on the drivers side, the resivor that holds the brake fluid, its really loose. It appears that it is designed this way, so i wedged some foam behind it to stiffin it up a little bit. Ill post results tomorrow as i drive around town for work. Hopefully this is the answer, as the rattle is there all the time now, and is driving me nuts! :x

Took some pics. CBSIMONSEZ, I believe I took some pics of the area you were referring too. Check my sig for Cardomain site.

BTW, what's with the labels in the engine bay?
white sticker
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/12/web/348000-348999/348709_13_full.jpg

Green paper like sticker or fastener (middle box>
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/12/web/348000-348999/348709_19_full.jpg

Oh, if this happens 2 more times and dealers tried to fix it, and it's still an issue, I'm calling Lemon Law. For MD it's the first 15mo or15K miles. I still will prefer to have another Box as a replacement.

yeah! lemon laaaawww. new sciooooon. yeaaaah. one million dollars.

Oh, by the way does the filter box shake like hell. again it started when they replaced my oil for free..

Its in the second pic, but up in the upper right hand corner. Its where the brake fluid is kept, and you can refill from here.

I cant use lemon law, i have an RS1, and chances of getting another are slim to none.

Alright peeps ( it is almost Easter you know, and Peeps are made in PA i believe ) anywho, i just wanted to give an update to the rattle situation.

As i posted earlier, i noticed the fluid resivour was loose, and would easily move back and forth, hitting the base and the booster which site against the firewall. I wedged a piece of foam inbetween the brake fluid resivour and the booster. After a full days driving, no rattle. I will keep everyone up to date with the fix, and hopefully this is it.

Also, the throttle line, when I held it still, the noise seemed to go away, but I was doing it as i had the car in drive with the emergency brake on. Later, with the engine on park i wedged the throttle line into a small hook type plastic on the filter box. Seemed to go away slightly. Still working on it.

Oh, by the way DO NOT! PULL THE THROTTLE LINE WHILE YOU HAVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND THE ENGINE ON DRIVE! IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA!

Anyone get a dealer to fix this yet? I know many of you, myself included have been trying to find this yourselves, but has anyone had this fixed at a service dept? Please share, there are still people trying to find this damn rattle! Thanks. :(

Anyone get a dealer to fix this yet? I know many of you, myself included have been trying to find this yourselves, but has anyone had this fixed at a service dept? Please share, there are still people trying to find this damn rattle! Thanks. :(

Well, after about 2-weeks, I haven't heard the metal clanging sound from the engine bay. Sometimes, the car almost starts to make that noise but doesn't. Only sound is the normal throaty exhuast.

I went to Russel Toyota (spoke to Greg) and as stated before they raise the rubber stops. Call Him up. The service tech is Nate. Yeah, if it's warranty work they'll give ya a free loaner car. Call ahead first for an appointment though.

BTW, they have a "modded" TCM xB in the TRD/Parts Room.

My rattle is still there ........ grrrrrrr. I have tried something different with the resivour, but now well see. I may crank the hell out of the bump stops under the hood, just to see what kind of result i get. I love a challenge, but this is begining to be a pain in the ___.

Try the throttle line near the back panel. just below the brake pump. Good Luck.

My dealership finally fixed my rattle/vibration and it did turn out to be my AEM CAI. Once the dealership installed the spacer like they were supposed to the rattle went away...the clearance between the pipe and the airbag sensor increased as did the clearance between the filter and the fog light.

Hmm.. Well, I got my first oil change the other day. I went to synthetis and the engine is running much smoother, and no rattle for the time being. Hopefully I've heard the last of it. Maybe it a breaking in issue. I've got around 5K on it now. Keeping my fingers crossed. :cry:

Looks like it's the air intake box - I took my xA in for some TSBs and had them check it out also. Work order states:

"Found air intake box vibrating, Removed air box and readjusted mounting and inserted shims."

Rattling is still there, but barely audible now.

mmmm.....not on mine, I havent had the factory air box in it for months now. I did however recently do 2 things, and one of them resolved the problem (I hope).
1)Switched to synthetic oil. Car runs much smoother, no vibration.
2)I installed a new Borla exhaust and I'm thinking that during the install, the pipe may have moved in one direction or the other (somewhere along the line) and provided clearance between the two vibrating components. After the oil change the noise was barely audible. After the exhaust change, I hear nothing but sweet purring engine. :wink:

First time, the fix lasted a few hours. Tried again on Thursday. Just fine afterwards, but today it's back. The report said that they secured a cable to the firewall but it seems to be rattling just as hard as before now.

ok just swithced from regular to Mobil 5w30 synthetic yesterday the car had 9000 miles on it and the change was immediate the vibrations at idle was immediately reduced.

Sorry to have to revive this thread but I just started getting a rattle at idle, but the conditions are slightly different. I have an 04 xA, 5 speed, 2k miles, no aftermarket parts.
I get a rattle coming from under the hood when I am at idle and in neutral, with the clutch engaged (not pushed in). If I push in the clutch to disengage it from the engine, the rattle stops. It is very hard to hear it from outside with the hood open because of the engine, but from inside it is very annoying (not to mention un-nerving) :?
Since it only happens when the engine is attatched at the flywheel/clutch, this leads me to believe it must be my transmission. This kind of sound is not acceptable on a new car right? I am going to take it to the dealer for sure, but I am afraid they will make light of a "rattle". Anyone else experience anything on thier manual?

Haven't gotten rid of it yet on my AT. Just been tolerating it.

Well I dropped my xA off at the dealer today and they called back at 4:00 to say that they were "unable to replicate the sound". Here is what is funny. When I dropped the car off, they had a technician sit in the car with me, it made the clatter, and I showed him that I could stop it by pressing in the clutch . I said, "There, that. Got it? do you need to hear it some more?... Sure? Ok cool, so you guys can handle it from here? " I left them with the car, confident that they would at least be able to diagnose it. Well, it turns out that I need to go up there and replicate the noise again, and I will be without a car for at least another day.

hey i kinda think i have a rattle of some sort too from my auto bop xB. it does it when i stop at a light. Im not 100% sure its a rattle but im gonna check it out again. Also my xB is an 05 model. I dunno how many others have found this prob in an 05.

OK well I got my car back today and heres the verdict from the Champion Toyota Service Dept:

"600 tech 311 diagnosed. no problem was found. was able to duplicate called tech. & was advised it was normal."

Hmm... the service guy told me they spent 4 hours trying to locate and isolate the noise, but when they called the "other tech guy" he said it was normal on the echo, so he assumes it is also normal on the xA. He said if it were a safety or malfunction issue, they would not let me drive it. On the upside, he also said that it has been documented that there was in fact a noise, and if it gets worse, or causes any other problems, they will take care of it, even after the 36,000 miles is up. Regardless, I am still not happy with the service dept at Champiion. If that noise were "normal" all the manual xA drivers would be like "WTF? Theres a clatter when Im in neutral and I can make it stop when I push in the clutch!" I haven't heard from ANY other manual drivers with this problem. What should be my next step? Say screw it and just keep driving, call Toyota USA?

The vibration your hearing might be coming from the air filter assebly hitting the side of the positive battery cable, or battery itself...

I noticed that the air filter assembly was shaking and vibrating really bad and hitting the positive battery cable as it moved around...I went and immediately asked the Scion tech who did the oil change on and returned my car to come and look at the air filter...He insisted it was normal and inherent in these engines during idle...It smooths out while the gas is pressed or the car is driving...

I'm lucky in that mine isn't making an audible noise though...Sorry to hear about your troubles in the engine, and if there is something wrong, I hope they can figure out what it is for you :)

DAN