Gears kicking and undercarriage noises

**dnc11** · 09-27-2020, 01:20 PM

Hey everyone, there are two things going on with my car, and I am not a mechanic at all. I would like your opinion before doing anything.

I did not drive my car for like a week or so, and when I started driving it yesterday, the gearbox was acting funny. When the car shifted into 3 and 5 gear, it would kick in really hard. By the end of the day, it kinda went away, but I still could feel that it was not 100% right. It’s a 2016 with the 2.4L, 29k miles, and no warranty. I doubt an update would fix this because it was fine before. Does it have to do with the transmission fluid maybe? To my understanding, these cars do not have a dipstick down there.

Second, when my car is cold or has been sitting for a little while, I can hear metal banging-like sounds coming from the car. I park in an enclosed garage and I can hear these noises echoing when I start driving. They come from underneath the car, not the engine. The car drives just fine tho; no vibrations on the steering wheel, nor pulling to a side.

thanks

**5port** · 09-27-2020, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by dnc11

Hey everyone, there are two things going on with my car, and I am not a mechanic at all. I would like your opinion before doing anything.

I did not drive my car for like a week or so, and when I started driving it yesterday, the gearbox was acting funny. When the car shifted into 3 and 5 gear, it would kick in really hard. By the end of the day, it kinda went away, but I still could feel that it was not 100% right. It’s a 2016 with the 2.4L, 29k miles, and no warranty. I doubt an update would fix this because it was fine before. Does it have to do with the transmission fluid maybe? To my understanding, these cars do not have a dipstick down there.

Second, when my car is cold or has been sitting for a little while, I can hear metal banging-like sounds coming from the car. I park in an enclosed garage and I can hear these noises echoing when I start driving. They come from underneath the car, not the engine. The car drives just fine tho; no vibrations on the steering wheel, nor pulling to a side.

thanks

Do you have rodents where you park? Check wiring harness near the transmission and the rear diff for rodent damage. The clanking sound may be the transmission as the wires make and break connection.

**dnc11** · 09-27-2020, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by 5port

Do you have rodents where you park? Check wiring harness near the transmission for rodent damage. The clanking sound may be the transmission as the wires make and break connection.

thanks. I doubt there are rodents as I’m on the fifth floor of the parking garage, but I will check the wiring harness.

**Jeffb99tx** · 12-31-2020, 03:37 PM

I am not a mechanic, but I know these cars need motor and transmission mounts every 3+ years. So a sagging motor or transmission mount may be a cause of these noises as well. Just my 2 cents.

Good luck and let us know what was the cause if you got it sorted by now.

Jeff
2016 500X Lounge Edition

**sportfan** · 12-31-2020, 05:14 PM

The mounts are the first thing I would look at also. You may want to check the shifter cables to see if a lock nut came loose.

**dnc11** · 01-12-2021, 10:20 AM

Sorry guys, I forgot to give an update about the issues.

So, the noise coming from underneath the car was surprisingly coming from the wheel. Few months ago, I had my tires replaced, and the shop damaged two of my air pressure sensors; apparently, they left the old ones inside and got loose, so one of them was bouncing inside the wheel. I know it seems kind of

, but the sound was really loud; and with me on the wheel, I could not figure it out by myself.

And the gears kicking was a really strange behavior; I have no clue what was going on, but it is gone... at least for now. It kind of felt like when I drove the car off the lot 5 years ago, before they updated the transmission software; very clumsy and harsh. Anyway, it is "good" for now.