• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Weird engine sound when cold or reving at idle

  • Thread starter Thread starter spederman
  • Start date Start date Dec 31, 2005
S

spederman

Member
Apr 13, 2005
732
0
16
Dec 31, 2005
#1
  • Dec 31, 2005
  • #1
I'm confused with this new engine sound that seems to have appeared out of no where. I have a 2002 GT 5 spd. The first start of the day when my engine is cold and i drive off, which ever gear i'm in if i take it higher than 2K RPM's, i get this wierd rattling/vibration sound from the engine compartment. Its really hard to describe the sound. Its kind of like a metal to metal rattling vibration. Like say if you had a fan with metal blades and while it was running you barely touched another piece of metal to it so it would make a rattling/vibration sound. It is only there when the engine is cold and only when i rev past 2K and it stays there no matter how high I rev. Although once i get to like 3500K the exhaust and engine is so loud it drowns out the sound of the rattling.

New thing today i noticed is that this same sound is kind of there when i am at a stop light in neutral and i rev the engine to the same rpms. This happens even if my engine is warm. It makes almost the same rattling/vibration sound. It sounds like its coming from under the hood on the passanger side. I dont know if this is the same exact sound but it sounds really similar.

Anybody have this or know WTF i am talking about? Thanks guys.
 
K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?
10 Year Member
Mar 30, 2005
4,749
95
134
Dec 31, 2005
#2
  • Dec 31, 2005
  • #2
I think it could possibly be a loose heat shield on the cats. I suggest you inspect them.
 
I

ironlungz

Founding Member
Oct 2, 2001
197
0
0
Port Coquitlam, BC
Jan 1, 2006
#3
  • Jan 1, 2006
  • #3
I recently noticed a similar rattling noise at around 2000-3500rpm's on my 2001 GT with ~40K miles. Except with mine the rattling noise only appears when the engine is cold and goes away after 5 mins or so.
 

AdRock

Member
Nov 13, 2003
521
1
19
South Texas
Jan 1, 2006
#4
  • Jan 1, 2006
  • #4
ironlungz said:
I recently noticed a similar rattling noise at around 2000-3500rpm's on my 2001 GT with ~40K miles. Except with mine the rattling noise only appears when the engine is cold and goes away after 5 mins or so.
Click to expand...

If it's only when cold do some searching of forums for "death rattle". That's most likely what you're hearing.
 
S

spederman

Member
Apr 13, 2005
732
0
16
Jan 1, 2006
#5
  • Jan 1, 2006
  • #5
AdRock:

Thats It exactly. So I have this "death rattle" in my car. I did a search and found some info but not enough on it. Can anybody summarize or give me a link with info. Is it bad for the car, or do most of them have it and I shouldnt worry about it?
 

trinity_gt

10 Year Member
Jan 31, 2003
3,125
81
99
Canada
Jan 2, 2006
#6
  • Jan 2, 2006
  • #6
spederman said:
AdRock:

Thats It exactly. So I have this "death rattle" in my car. I did a search and found some info but not enough on it. Can anybody summarize or give me a link with info. Is it bad for the car, or do most of them have it and I shouldnt worry about it?
Click to expand...

Ford issued an SSM on the problem, #15934. Its text reads:

"15934 MUSTANG- COLD ENGINE LIGHT TICKING/RATTLE

Some 2001-2002 Mustang GT and Bullitt with the TR3650 manual transmission may exhibit a light ticking/rattle noise while driving after a cold engine start. The noise will typically occur between 2200-3500RPM under light throttle (1/8 to 1/4 open) while driving. The noise may last a few minutes (depending on temperature). The condition is due to the combination of the light load operation noted above, and the normal piston to cylinder bore clearance present in a cold engine. To service, verify condition and reprogram the PCM with the latest calibration via the just-in-time process if your WDS communicates with Fordstar. Also obtain calibrations on the Ford professional technician society (PTS) website - select 'WDS' and then 'PCM REPROGRAMMING' and click 'Instructions' for downloading.
"
 
S

spederman

Member
Apr 13, 2005
732
0
16
Jan 2, 2006
#7
  • Jan 2, 2006
  • #7
Thanks Trinity.

Has anybody had this SSM done thru ford and did it help to get rid of the death rattle?
 

trinity_gt

10 Year Member
Jan 31, 2003
3,125
81
99
Canada
Jan 2, 2006
#8
  • Jan 2, 2006
  • #8
They serviced mine according to the SSM (i.e. reflashed the PCM) and it didn't seem to do much.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Weird sound from engine
  • charliethepotato
  • Dec 11, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
98
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Dec 11, 2025
charliethepotato
C
S
1998 Mustang Gt Rattling sound, cannot locate. Video included
  • studerman1
  • Mar 31, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
225
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 1, 2026
studerman1
S
L
95 gt engine vibration
  • lenzgt
  • May 11, 2026
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
6
Views
200
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech May 26, 2026
lenzgt
L
A
Rough idle - cylinder 1 and 6 misfire HELP
  • austindavies935
  • Jul 24, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
703
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jul 24, 2025
gkomo
Can makes noises when driving poping
  • Creomod
  • Oct 14, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
17
Views
571
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 19, 2025
Creomod
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?