Symptom Chart: NVH

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Diagnostics in this article assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices. REFER to: Diagnostic Methods .

Symptom	Possible Sources	Action
NOTE: NVH symptoms should be identified using the diagnostic tools that are available. Since it is possible any one of multiple systems may be the cause of a symptom, it may be necessary to use a process of elimination type of diagnostic approach to pinpoint the responsible system. If this is not the causal system for the symptom, check for the next likely system and continue diagnosis. Transmission rattle noise -- noise occurs at 1st and 2nd gear on light acceleration.	Gear engagement	Acceptable operating condition. Caused by the contact pattern of these gears.
Transmission rattling/clattering noise -- occurs in NEUTRAL or in gear, at idle	Incorrect fluid level or fluid quality	COMPARE with other like vehicles. CHECK that the transmission is filled to the correct level and with the specified fluid. REFER to: Transmission Fluid Level Check .
Transmission rattling/clattering noise -- noise at idle in NEUTRAL	Worn or rough reverse idler gear	CHECK the reverse idler gear. REPAIR as necessary.
Excessive backlash in gears		CHECK the gear backlash. ADJUST as necessary.
Worn countershaft gears		REPAIR as necessary.
Transmission whine -- a mild whine at extreme speeds or high rpm	Rotating gears/geartrain	Acceptable noise.
Transmission whine -- a high pitched whine, also described as a squeal	Transmission gears are worn (high mileage vehicle)	Result of normal gear wear. REPAIR as necessary.
Mismatched gear sets		INSPECT the gear sets for an uneven wear pattern on the face of the gear teeth. REPAIR as necessary.
Damaged or worn transmission bearing		INSPECT the transmission bearings. INSTALL new bearings as necessary.
Transmission growling/humming -- noise occurs in the forward gears. The noise is more prominent when the gear is loaded. The problem gear can be located as the noise occurs in a specific gear position	Gear is cracked, chipped or rough	INSPECT the transmission gears for damage or wear. INSTALL new gears as necessary.
Axle howl or whine		The MT82 transmission may be suspect of a gear whine noise, which seems to be emanating from the rear of the vehicle at or in excess of 80 km/h (50 mph) at full operating temperature. Drive the vehicle at customer complaint speeds in 5th gear (this is the direct gear) to eliminate manual transmission as noise source, reach full operating temperature and confirm if noise is still present. REFER to: Suspension System . If noise is not present, proceed with gear noise analysis.
Transmission hissing -- noise in NEUTRAL or in forward gears. As bearings wear or break up, the noise changes to a thumping noise	Damaged or worn bearings	INSPECT the transmission bearings. INSTALL new bearings as necessary.
Transmission knocking/thudding -- noise at low speeds in forward gears	Bearings with damaged balls or rollers or with pitted and spalled races	INSPECT the transmission bearings. INSTALL new bearings as necessary.
Transmission growling/humming -- noise occurs in the forward gears. The noise is more prominent when the gear is loaded. The problem gear can be located as the noise occurs in a specific gear position *Transmission rumble/growl -- noise at higher speeds in forward gears, more pronounced in a coast/deceleration condition	Incorrect driveline angle	CHECK the driveline angle. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to: Driveshaft .
Driveshaft out of balance or damaged		CHECK the driveshaft for damage, missing balance weights or undercoating. REFER to the driveshaft runout and balance test. REFER to: Driveshaft .
Axle howl or whine		The MT82 transmission may be suspect of a gear whine noise, which seems to be emanating from the rear of the vehicle at or in excess of 80 km/h (50 mph) at full operating temperature. Drive the vehicle at customer complaint speeds in 5th gear (this is the direct gear) to eliminate manual transmission as noise source, reach full operating temperature and confirm if noise is still present. REFER to: Suspension System . If noise is not present, proceed with gear noise analysis.
Transmission rumble/growl -- noise at all speeds in forward gears, more pronounced in a heavy acceleration condition	Damaged or worn transmission bearing or gears (high mileage vehicles)	CHECK transmission fluid for excessive metal particles. REPAIR as necessary.
Boom noise while accelerating	Broken Dual Mass Flywheel	Accelerate the vehicle in the highest gear from 1000 rpm to 2000 rpm at wide open throttle. If the boom noise is noticeable during acceleration but it stops after the accelerator pedal is released, remove the clutch and inspect the flywheel. REFER to: Clutch Disc and Pressure Plate - 2.3L EcoBoost (231kW/314PS)/2.3L EcoBoost (257kW/350PS) - MI4 . REFER to: Clutch Disc and Pressure Plate - 5.0L 32V Ti-VCT .
Rattle/Harsh vibration while driving	Broken Dual Mass Flywheel	Gently accelerate the vehicle between idle and 2000 rpm. If there is excessive rattle and harsh vibration, remove the clutch and inspect the flywheel. REFER to: Clutch Disc and Pressure Plate - 2.3L EcoBoost (231kW/314PS)/2.3L EcoBoost (257kW/350PS) - MI4 . REFER to: Clutch Disc and Pressure Plate - 5.0L 32V Ti-VCT .
Rattle at idle	Broken Dual Mass Flywheel	With the engine idling and the transmission in NEUTRAL, slowly press the clutch. If an excessive gear rattle is heard while cycling the clutch, remove the clutch and inspect the flywheel. REFER to: Clutch Disc and Pressure Plate - 2.3L EcoBoost (231kW/314PS)/2.3L EcoBoost (257kW/350PS) - MI4 . REFER to: Clutch Disc and Pressure Plate - 5.0L 32V Ti-VCT .
Rattle at Start up	Broken Dual Mass Flywheel	Start the engine with the transmission in NEUTRAL. If an excessive gear rattle is heard during start-up, remove the clutch and inspect the flywheel. REFER to: Clutch Disc and Pressure Plate - 2.3L EcoBoost (231kW/314PS)/2.3L EcoBoost (257kW/350PS) - MI4 . REFER to: Clutch Disc and Pressure Plate - 5.0L 32V Ti-VCT .
Rattle at shut down	Broken Dual Mass Flywheel	With the engine running and the transmission in NEUTRAL, turn the ignition to the OFF position. If a harsh metallic noise is heard during the last revolutions just before the engine stops, remove the clutch and inspect the flywheel. REFER to: Clutch Disc and Pressure Plate - 2.3L EcoBoost (231kW/314PS)/2.3L EcoBoost (257kW/350PS) - MI4 . REFER to: Clutch Disc and Pressure Plate - 5.0L 32V Ti-VCT .