Loud Noise on Startup

[kmck94]

I have a mechanical (metal) crack sound at start up also. I have regular 5.7 Hemi (no e-torque). The sound happens often, 7/10 times like @mjharden mentioned. It is a very distinct sound like metal teeth or gears crashing together. Maybe a starter issue? Not a grinding, more like hitting solid metal with a hammer. It is one more "anomaly" that I have on my brand new 2019 RAM. Love the truck but hoping FCA / the dealer can resolve.

Hey RAM805, have you taken this to the dealer to have it checked out? I feel the clank on mine has now become louder (I am now at the "I need to figure out what this is, it's going to break"). Not sure if this is 100% true but when I remote start the clunk NEVER happens. ONLY happens when the truck sits for a while and I use push button start. I'm not sure why but I do not want to deal with the dealership for this. Everyone told me not to buy a ram and I don't want this to be the start of a never-ending problems battle. My truck now has 1,004 miles and I shouldn't be having to deal with this.

 

[Gearwhine]

I have the same clicking sound on every start-up. Always thought it was normal start-up activities....maybe I'm wrong.

 

[kmck94]

I have the same clicking sound on every start-up. Always thought it was normal start-up activities....maybe I'm wrong.

Does it almost jolt the truck? I started it next to a friend the other day about 25 feet away and he even heard it. I almost feel like it is the rear differential or something with the U-Joints. Thinking when the truck first start and the torque converter starts spinning it makes the differential smack something? It sounds like TONS of people are having this problem. They need to fix this or at least tell us what it is.
Does anyone think this could be related: https://jeepgarage.org/f107/start-up-clunk-loud-click-200554.html

 

[Gearwhine]

Does it almost jolt the truck? I started it next to a friend the other day about 25 feet away and he even heard it.

Nope...just sounds like a few clicks. The pattern of them seem the same every time, too...which has led me to have no concern of it. Based on your video, they sound similar....but can't guarantee they are the same.

I've only got about 120 miles on mine so far.

 

[kmck94]

Nope...just sounds like a few clicks. The pattern of them seem the same every time, too...which has led me to have no concern of it. Based on your video, they sound similar....but can't guarantee they are the same.

I've only got about 120 miles on mine so far.

But you still head that clank .5 seconds after the engine starts? Today was the first day I started it with the push button with the driver door open on a cold star and realized it is 2x as loud then just sitting in the cab.

 

[DSOOBY]

I have the same clicking sound on every start-up. Always thought it was normal start-up activities....maybe I'm wrong.

The sound you are hearing is just various relays clicking on and off and isn't of any concern.

 

[kmck94]

The sound you are hearing is just various relays clicking on and off and isn't of any concern.

Thanks for the reply. I have never heard of a relay powerful enough to send a jolt through the cab of the truck! Or a relay that is powerful enough that it can be heard turning on 25 feet away on top of the engine start noise. What relay could this be? I would stay it sounds like me taking a crowbar and smacking a metal pole. If it was a relay wouldn't it happen all of the time and not just 6/10 times?

 

[DSOOBY]

Thanks for the reply. I have never heard of a relay powerful enough to send a jolt through the cab of the truck! Or a relay that is powerful enough that it can be heard turning on 25 feet away on top of the engine start noise. What relay could this be? I would stay it sounds like me taking a crowbar and smacking a metal pole. If it was a relay wouldn't it happen all of the time and not just 6/10 times?

Sorry not to get your hopes up, I was talking about the sounds @Gearwhine was describing, there is a series of clicks and ticks on startup which is just various systems of the truck turning on. Your sound is something else though, I believe I have heard this loud bang on startup in my truck as well and believe it to be starter related, maybe the clutch. If that's the case, new starters are a cheap and easy fix if it does go out ( use that warranty!).

 

[RBRK]

It's the park lock mechanism in the trans I believe. Pretty sure its normal. Its a loud clank type noise, doesn't always happen, I think its got something to do with the load on the trans after parked. There is a message in the cluster display stating something about it. This trans doesn't use a conventional shift cable and i think it does something to lock the trans so it comes out of park easy, kinda like the old days when you put a auto in park and it rolls back a bit, then when you yank on the lever, it is hard and would clank. Just my opinion though, I'm not worried about it. Doesn't happen all the time, I'v noticed it more on hills, but I also set my park brake every time before shifting into park, so that would probably help.

 

[kmck94]

It's the park lock mechanism in the trans I believe. Pretty sure its normal. Its a loud clank type noise, doesn't always happen, I think its got something to do with the load on the trans after parked. There is a message in the cluster display stating something about it. This trans doesn't use a conventional shift cable and i think it does something to lock the trans so it comes out of park easy, kinda like the old days when you put a auto in park and it rolls back a bit, then when you yank on the lever, it is hard and would clank. Just my opinion though, I'm not worried about it. Doesn't happen all the time, I'v noticed it more on hills, but I also set my park brake every time before shifting into park, so that would probably help.

Can you guide me to where this message may be in the cluster display? I never park on a hill so I never use the parking brake. The only time it is consistent is on cold start ups. I agree with the old autos when they would clank but that only seemed to happen on hills. Issue is the clank happens before even changing gears. Can you explain the noise to me just so we’re on the same page? It’s very loud and can be felt in the cab. That’s why it concerns me. Thanks.

 

[DSOOBY]

Can you guide me to where this message may be in the cluster display? I never park on a hill so I never use the parking brake. The only time it is consistent is on cold start ups. I agree with the old autos when they would clank but that only seemed to happen on hills. Issue is the clank happens before even changing gears. Can you explain the noise to me just so we’re on the same page? It’s very loud and can be felt in the cab. That’s why it concerns me. Thanks.

I know it's a pain in the butt, but start running video on each start up and try to catch it on tape. Try it inside the cab, and maybe try to catch another clip of it if you set your phone on your tire or something to catch an outside sound as well.

 

[RBRK]

It says something in the cluster where the speedo is. I will try to catch it and see when it shows up again.

 

[RAM805]

It's the park lock mechanism in the trans I believe. Pretty sure its normal. Its a loud clank type noise, doesn't always happen, I think its got something to do with the load on the trans after parked. There is a message in the cluster display stating something about it. This trans doesn't use a conventional shift cable and i think it does something to lock the trans so it comes out of park easy, kinda like the old days when you put a auto in park and it rolls back a bit, then when you yank on the lever, it is hard and would clank. Just my opinion though, I'm not worried about it. Doesn't happen all the time, I'v noticed it more on hills, but I also set my park brake every time before shifting into park, so that would probably help.

This is a curious theory. I think maybe I will test starts when I have the parking brake on and when I do not have the parking brake on. We'll see.

 

[RBRK]

Be sure you set the park brake before shifting into park. This will keep the load off whatever locks the trans, in the older trans it would be called a park pawl. I usually only hear the clank noise when I don’t use the park brake, which isn’t very often.

 

[kmck94]

I will start using my parking break again. Did have a manual car before this so I was in a good habit... Below is the video of the clunk/clank. Let me know if this is the same sound you are hearing. This wasn’t as loud as it has been before or was yesterday but it still gives you the idea.

 

[RBRK]

Yes, that’s the noise. I’m sure someday they will come out stating it’s normal.

 

[kmck94]

Yes, that’s the noise. I’m sure someday they will come out stating it’s normal.

Got it. So using the parking break is the fix? How many trucks do you think have this issue? I know you don’t have a number but everyone or 10%?

 

[DSOOBY]

Yep that’s the same one I hear as well

 

[bsbpc12]

Yes, I have the same noise as in kmck94's video as well. I have an appointment scheduled tomorrow with the dealer but I think I will cancel it, after seeing this thread.

 

[RAM805]

I will start using my parking break again. Did have a manual car before this so I was in a good habit... Below is the video of the clunk/clank. Let me know if this is the same sound you are hearing. This wasn’t as loud as it has been before or was yesterday but it still gives you the idea.

Yep, nailed it. That "clank" (metal hitting metal) is exactly the sound. Although it is a bit quiet in this video it's a lot louder sometimes.