Symptom Chart - Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Ford Mustang. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) symptoms should be identified using the diagnostic tools that are available. For a list of these tools, an explanation of their uses and a glossary of common terms, refer to NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS . 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, refer back to NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS for the next likely system and continue diagnosis.

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Excessive noise	Clutch disc damper damaged Transmission input shaft pilot bearing worn or damaged Crankshaft end play excessive Release bearing worn or damaged	REMOVE the clutch disc and pressure plate. REFER to CLUTCH . INSPECT the clutch disc for damage. INSPECT the transmission input shaft pilot bearing for wear and damage. REFER to Pilot Bearing Check . CHECK the crankshaft end play. Refer to the appropriate Engine for the procedure. CHECK the clutch release hub and bearing, and guide tube for wear and damage. REPAIR all components as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
Clutch rattling noise - occurs with clutch engaged, noise changes/disappears with clutch pedal depressed	Flywheel bolts, clutch housing bolts or clutch pressure plate bolts loose	TIGHTEN the bolts to specifications. CHECK the bolts for damage. REFER to CLUTCH .
Clutch squeaking noise - noise is heard when the clutch is operated. Vehicle moves slowly or creeps when the clutch is disengaged. Can also be difficult to shift into 1st and REVERSE gears	Pilot bearing seized or damaged	INSTALL a new pilot bearing. REFER to CLUTCH .
Clutch squeaking noise - occurs with clutch pedal depressed/released	Worn clutch pedal shaft or bushings	INSPECT the clutch pedal for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH CONTROLS .
Clutch whirring/rattle noise - occurs when clutch pedal is depressed	Worn, damaged or misaligned clutch release bearing	INSTALL a new clutch release bearing. REFER to CLUTCH .
Clutch grating/grinding noise - occurs when clutch pedal is depressed	Clutch pressure plate fingers bent or worn	INSPECT the clutch pressure plate release fingers. INSTALL a new pressure plate as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH .
	Contact surface of clutch release bearing worn or damaged	INSTALL a new clutch release bearing. REFER to CLUTCH .
Clutch chatter - a small amount of noise when clutch pedal is released at initial take-off	Clutch engagement	Acceptable operating condition.
Clutch chatter/grabs - in some cases a shudder is felt. Occurs with clutch pedal depressed/released	Damaged or worn powertrain/driveline mounts	INSPECT the powertrain/drivetrain mounts. INSTALL new mounts as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Engine for the procedure.
	Binding or dragging plunger of the clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder	CHECK the master and slave cylinder operation. INSPECT the components for damage or wear. INSTALL a new master or slave cylinder as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH CONTROLS .
	Grease or oil on the clutch disc facing	CHECK the input shaft seal and rear main oil seal. REPAIR as necessary. INSTALL a new clutch disc. REFER to CLUTCH .
	Clutch disc surface glazed or damaged	INSPECT the clutch disc surface for a glazed, hardened or damage condition. CARRY OUT a Clutch Disc Check . INSTALL a new clutch disc as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH .
	Damaged or worn clutch pressure plate	INSPECT the clutch pressure plate for wear or damage. INSTALL a new clutch pressure plate as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH .
	Flywheel surface damaged or glazed	INSPECT the flywheel for damage or wear. CARRY OUT a Flywheel Runout Check . INSTALL a new flywheel as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Engine for the procedure.
Clutch chatter noise - noise when clutch pedal is released at initial take-off. Clutch is hard to engage and disengage	Pilot bearing worn, damaged or not correctly aligned in bore	INSPECT the clutch pressure plate release fingers for uneven wear, clutch components burnt or a seized pilot bearing. INSTALL a new pilot bearing as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH .
Clutch chatter - a small amount of noise when the clutch is released at initial take-off. Occurs in 1st and/or REVERSE gear with the transmission at operating temperature (5.4L engines only)	Clutch engagement	Acceptable operating condition. Noise caused by the material used in the clutch disc.
Clutch hiss - a small amount of noise during initial engagement of the clutch in 1st or REVERSE gear (5.4L engines only)	Clutch engagement	Acceptable operating condition. Noise caused by the clutch disc contacting the pressure plate and flywheel surfaces.
Transmission rattle noise - noise occurs at 1st and 2nd gear on light acceleration (5.4L engines only)	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	CHECK that the transmission is filled to the correct level and with the specified fluid. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION - 5R55S for the fluid type.
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.
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 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 DRIVELINE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Driveshaft out of balance or damaged	CHECK the driveshaft for damage, missing balance weights or undercoating. REFER to the driveshaft runout and balance test in DRIVELINE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .
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.