Just bought a black/black 2003 6spd sedan and love it. I've got ~1300 miles on it, and have noticed a small hiss/clunk noise coming from the engine compartment. The noise lasts about a half sec to a second, and usually occurs within the first 10-15 secs of car movement after the car has been started up. Even with the a/c and fan off, it's still there. It hasn't caused any problems with anything functioning though--almost as if it's normal. Sounds like a spring vibrating, or some automatic valve opening/closing. Only does it after the car is started/moved after sitting cold for a while. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

 

There is information on this topic in everyone owners manual. It is the VDC or ABS system self test. Every G owner should be famaliar with their owners manual. Hope this helps. There was a similar post on this subject earlier this year.

 

Thanks. I had read somewhere else on other vehicles that the ABS self-test could make such a noise. So, this must be what it is. Again, it's independent of engine rpm and only occurs as the vehicle begins to move, so it can't be engine-specific. Plus, it sounds almost intentional/normal.

Thanks for the help. I'll go back and check the owner's manual.

Temporary solution: I've observed that if I crank up Van Halen to 100+ dBA on the G35's sound system, I don't notice the noise anymore.