Loud Noise on Startup

[thodgkinson]

I was looking for a thread like this because I was experiencing a noise on startup I wasn't too fond of. After reading through this forum I find it worth posting my experience of the several noises discussed in here.

First, the loud "clunk" or "pop" on initial startup IS discussed in your owner's manuals. The manual says when using 87 octane fuel you may experience this and that it's perfectly normal and acceptable. They then recommend 89 octane to rid of that noise, but that 87 octane gas is fine. I read this in there on day 1 when I purchased my truck and have only ever put 89 since then because of it. I have never experienced a "pop" on startup. But, if you're running 87 octane then have no fear this is probably the case. If you really want to check to make sure it is just this, cycle a few tank or 89 through it and see if the noise still happens. I also recommend my next point.

Second, the "mechanical grinding" or "multiple clatters" sound was something I have been experiencing. I've wondered for the longest what's caused this and a user in this forum somewhere actually made a remark to this that seems like for some it just passed by. When you start the truck and have the break fully depressed, and continue to hold it fully depressed through startup, it makes this noise. I'm no mechanic or have any inclination as to why this is, but it does. Maybe a sort of clutch letting things slip as the engine turns? Couldn't tell ya. IF you touch the break to start the truck and IMMEDIATELY let off the break as the truck begins to start, once the engine starts turning it will not make this "multiple clattering" or " mechanical grinding" noise.

Now, all the little pops, ticks, and latching noises you hear for the next few seconds there after are all electronic motors of some sort that seem to all be normal function of ANY modern vehicle. As I have several vehicles across several manufacturers that have the same noises.

Now, my truck starts clean every time. No funky clatters or grinding noises. Sounds like a beautiful brand new engine. I have 18K miles on 5.7L Hemi, no E-torque.

 

[Richluck]

I was looking for a thread like this because I was experiencing a noise on startup I wasn't too fond of. After reading through this forum I find it worth posting my experience of the several noises discussed in here.

First, the loud "clunk" or "pop" on initial startup IS discussed in your owner's manuals. The manual says when using 87 octane fuel you may experience this and that it's perfectly normal and acceptable. They then recommend 89 octane to rid of that noise, but that 87 octane gas is fine. I read this in there on day 1 when I purchased my truck and have only ever put 89 since then because of it. I have never experienced a "pop" on startup. But, if you're running 87 octane then have no fear this is probably the case. If you really want to check to make sure it is just this, cycle a few tank or 89 through it and see if the noise still happens. I also recommend my next point.

Second, the "mechanical grinding" or "multiple clatters" sound was something I have been experiencing. I've wondered for the longest what's caused this and a user in this forum somewhere actually made a remark to this that seems like for some it just passed by. When you start the truck and have the break fully depressed, and continue to hold it fully depressed through startup, it makes this noise. I'm no mechanic or have any inclination as to why this is, but it does. Maybe a sort of clutch letting things slip as the engine turns? Couldn't tell ya. IF you touch the break to start the truck and IMMEDIATELY let off the break as the truck begins to start, once the engine starts turning it will not make this "multiple clattering" or " mechanical grinding" noise.

Now, all the little pops, ticks, and latching noises you hear for the next few seconds there after are all electronic motors of some sort that seem to all be normal function of ANY modern vehicle. As I have several vehicles across several manufacturers that have the same noises.

Now, my truck starts clean every time. No funky clatters or grinding noises. Sounds like a beautiful brand new engine. I have 18K miles on 5.7L Hemi, no E-torque.

Gas has nothing to do with it. I use 91 premium every time and it does it if you leave your foot on the brake pedal hard until it starts. You are lucky or you just don't notice it. It's basically the drive train locking up probably from the auto e brake which has been discussed previously.

 

[392DCGC]

Interesting you guys are finding foot on the brake at startup is the cause for the immense ticking sounds. I figured it was just the ol Hemi tick/lifter noise, but I will say I've never noticed this degree of startup tick on any of the other Hemi's I've owned - just these trucks. I always keep my foot on the brake because it has to be there to put it into gear anyway. I don't really understand why applying the brake would cause the noise since the transmission is in park, which is the equivalent of neutral with the locking pin engaged, no? Guess I'll give starting it up and taking my foot off ASAP and see how she sounds.

 

[MurdaRam]

Interesting you guys are finding foot on the brake at startup is the cause for the immense ticking sounds. I figured it was just the ol Hemi tick/lifter noise, but I will say I've never noticed this degree of startup tick on any of the other Hemi's I've owned - just these trucks. I always keep my foot on the brake because it has to be there to put it into gear anyway. I don't really understand why applying the brake would cause the noise since the transmission is in park, which is the equivalent of neutral with the locking pin engaged, no? Guess I'll give starting it up and taking my foot off ASAP and see how she sounds.

This has nothing to do with the Hemi tick. This is a loud intermittent metal on metal clank (smack) sound upon start up we are experiencing. 16k+ miles clank still present.

 

[392DCGC]

This has nothing to do with the Hemi tick. This is a loud intermittent metal on metal clank (smack) sound upon start up we are experiencing. 16k+ miles clank still present.

Maybe we're referring to the same noise, but what I'm hearing is synced with engine RPM. It's a light metal clank/pinging noise, starts out quick (higher engine RPM during first second of engine start) and slows down over the few seconds immediately following start. I did try keeping my foot off the brake at startup today, but it made no difference.

 

[silver billet]

Maybe we're referring to the same noise, but what I'm hearing is synced with engine RPM. It's a light metal clank/pinging noise, starts out quick (higher engine RPM during first second of engine start) and slows down over the few seconds immediately following start. I did try keeping my foot off the brake at startup today, but it made no difference.

You're talking about 2 different noises. The metal clank occurs instantly when the engine "catches" as it starts. It's there for a fraction of a second, like somebody swung a hammer on the axel or drive train somewhere. It does not sync up with engine RPM, you don't hear it for longer than it takes for the "tap" to die off. That's why pushing the brake for you has no effect, we're talking about a different noise. You sound like you're describing the "hemi tick", totally different issue, this thread is about the drive train clunk which shows up especially bad when brake pedal is pushed.

 

[hotjava66]

Has anyone gotten any resolution on this? Mine has this same metallic clank or pop randomly on startup. Quite loud. Read through most of the thread, doesn’t seem to be much in the way of answers. To me it sounds like driveline slap or coming up against the parking pawl, or possibly the starter bendix not retracting fast enough and the flywheel swatting it when the engine fires.

 

[RangerZ]

Taking your foot off the brake as soon as the starter engages eliminates the clunk that I hear on mine. We could be talking about two diff sounds but on mine the brake thing works

 

[User_3336]

I hear several "clicking" noises right after startup. I figured it was the 4 wheel drive auto system initializing..
Its simply about 5 clicks like something resetting.

 

[User_3336]

Sounds exactly line mine. then you hear the 4-5 clicks right after that.

Here is a video of my startup this morning. It had a bit more of the crackle/popping when it was brand new - I'm at 3,700 miles now. This all sounds normal to me.

When I did my 1,000 mile oil change I used a Mopar filter that caused a ton of lifter startup noise. Promptly changed it to a Fram and it's silent now.

 

[Oklahoma Dave]

I too have the infamous clank upon start up. Metal on metal sound. I have been to the dealer and they said they will look in to it ! ! ! I purchased a used 2019 Bighorn with 33000 miles, 4x4, 5.7L Hemi, nice truck and I love it back in March of 2020. Except for the sound. I will post 2 videos here with the sound. One is around 6pm and the other is around 8am and both are from June 2020. This has been going on since I bought it. Additional insight and opinions are appreciated.

I guess I can't post the mp4 videos from my phone to this site. Sorry. At least I have documented the issue here as well. Thanks, Dave

 

[silver billet]

I hear several "clicking" noises right after startup. I figured it was the 4 wheel drive auto system initializing..
Its simply about 5 clicks like something resetting.

That's yet again a different click. I'm going to number them so that we can refer to the various clicks and clunks and stop repeating ourselves.

#1: There is a loud "clank" which happens once, very quickly, like a hammer hitting the drive shaft; affected greatly by pushing (or not) the brake pedal. This is not normal, not every truck does it, and the ones that do, shouldn't.
#2: The engine ticks for a bit after a cold start, this is lifters, and considered "normal" by Ram, but concerning to some of us none-the-less. The ticking is affected by engine speed; push pedal, ticking increases. The ticking goes away for most people as the engine warms up.
#3: There are ticking noises underneath, these are probably electrical relays(?) for the 4x4 system. You can hear this ticking at any time after startup, by engaging 4 hi/lo. As you switch the 4x4 system around, the ticks click a bit, but don't tick anymore once you've fully switched into the 4x4 mode you want. This is also normal, there is nothing to be concerned about when you hear this, every Ram 4x4 does it, it's simply the mechanism engaging and disengaging.

This thread is about clank #1.

 

[User_3336]

I don't have clank #1. only Click #3.

 

[silver billet]

I don't have clank #1. only Click #3.

I feel bad clicking "like" on your post. We need a "I feel your pain" emoticon

 

[MurdaRam]

Not sure if you’ve done an oil change yet but I’m using Rotella Gas Truck full synthetic and a Fram ultra synthetic filter and my truck is very silent. I also do oil changes every 5-6k miles and change the filter at every oil change.

 

[Stylee99]

I was looking for a thread like this because I was experiencing a noise on startup I wasn't too fond of. After reading through this forum I find it worth posting my experience of the several noises discussed in here.

First, the loud "clunk" or "pop" on initial startup IS discussed in your owner's manuals. The manual says when using 87 octane fuel you may experience this and that it's perfectly normal and acceptable. They then recommend 89 octane to rid of that noise, but that 87 octane gas is fine. I read this in there on day 1 when I purchased my truck and have only ever put 89 since then because of it. I have never experienced a "pop" on startup. But, if you're running 87 octane then have no fear this is probably the case. If you really want to check to make sure it is just this, cycle a few tank or 89 through it and see if the noise still happens. I also recommend my next point.

Second, the "mechanical grinding" or "multiple clatters" sound was something I have been experiencing. I've wondered for the longest what's caused this and a user in this forum somewhere actually made a remark to this that seems like for some it just passed by. When you start the truck and have the break fully depressed, and continue to hold it fully depressed through startup, it makes this noise. I'm no mechanic or have any inclination as to why this is, but it does. Maybe a sort of clutch letting things slip as the engine turns? Couldn't tell ya. IF you touch the break to start the truck and IMMEDIATELY let off the break as the truck begins to start, once the engine starts turning it will not make this "multiple clattering" or " mechanical grinding" noise.

Now, all the little pops, ticks, and latching noises you hear for the next few seconds there after are all electronic motors of some sort that seem to all be normal function of ANY modern vehicle. As I have several vehicles across several manufacturers that have the same noises.

Now, my truck starts clean every time. No funky clatters or grinding noises. Sounds like a beautiful brand new engine. I have 18K miles on 5.7L Hemi, no E-torque.

I agree with others that it’s not gas related. I’ve used nothing but 89 octane and occasionally get the loud pop on startup.

 

[RamCares]

Has anyone gotten any resolution on this? Mine has this same metallic clank or pop randomly on startup. Quite loud. Read through most of the thread, doesn’t seem to be much in the way of answers. To me it sounds like driveline slap or coming up against the parking pawl, or possibly the starter bendix not retracting fast enough and the flywheel swatting it when the engine fires.

Taking your foot off the brake as soon as the starter engages eliminates the clunk that I hear on mine. We could be talking about two diff sounds but on mine the brake thing works

I hear several "clicking" noises right after startup. I figured it was the 4 wheel drive auto system initializing..
Its simply about 5 clicks like something resetting.

I too have the infamous clank upon start up. Metal on metal sound. I have been to the dealer and they said they will look in to it ! ! ! I purchased a used 2019 Bighorn with 33000 miles, 4x4, 5.7L Hemi, nice truck and I love it back in March of 2020. Except for the sound. I will post 2 videos here with the sound. One is around 6pm and the other is around 8am and both are from June 2020. This has been going on since I bought it. Additional insight and opinions are appreciated.

I guess I can't post the mp4 videos from my phone to this site. Sorry. At least I have documented the issue here as well. Thanks, Dave

I agree with others that it’s not gas related. I’ve used nothing but 89 octane and occasionally get the loud pop on startup.

Hi all,

If at any point you decide to address this further with your dealer, please be sure to let us know via private message. We would like to ensure your concerns are formally documented, as well as get cases escalated on your behalf so that a specialist can work alongside your dealer to exhaust all available resources in getting this taken care of.

Mark
RamCares

 

[RAMPAGE82]

Add me to the "startup clunk/clank" group. A little less than 2 weeks off the lot, and a little over 200 miles on the odometer. Troubling.

2020 4X4 1500 quad cab Tradesman same issue

 

[Ram19911]

Ram 1500 sport 2019 same issue


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MurdaRam]

Pretty ridiculous it’s been so long and FCA still doesn’t have a fix for this.