Noise From Front Of Car After Driving Approx 5 Yards

[Red Earl]

When starting engine and first driving off, after about five yards there is a sound coming from the front of the car (only lasts about a second). It only happens after first ignition and never again whilst driving around. I could drive all day without a repeat, but if I stop the engine (even for a couple of seconds) and start her up again, I get the same noise.

Ive tested it in first & second gear and I get the noise but it doesnt happen in reverse. The sound is a bit hard to describe, sounds like something is engaging but not as smooth as it should perhaps. A bit like gears slipping for a second.

Im not at all mechanically minded so can only give a vague description. Is it anything that sounds familiar to any of you ?

[TeyaDog]

When starting engine and first driving off, after about five yards there is a sound coming from the front of the car (only lasts about a second). It only happens after first ignition and never again whilst driving around. I could drive all day without a repeat, but if I stop the engine (even for a couple of seconds) and start her up again, I get the same noise.

Ive tested it in first & second gear and I get the noise but it doesnt happen in reverse. The sound is a bit hard to describe, sounds like something is engaging but not as smooth as it should perhaps. A bit like gears slipping for a second.

Im not at all mechanically minded so can only give a vague description. Is it anything that sounds familiar to any of you ?

Yep - it certainly sounds familiar. What you are likely to be hearing is the Traction Control Self Test and is nothing to be worried about.

TeyaDog

[Red Earl]

Thanks for the quick response.

To be sure though, is it normal for this noise to occur "after" the car has travelled five or 6 yards in a forward gear. I thought the self test would happen before the vehicle was in motion ?

If I turned the TC off would it still perform the self test? Im just wondering if there was a test I could carry out to be sure its what you have suggested. Dont want to take to dealer if its totally normal.

[bjw]

AS the previous poster has said it sounds like the traction control self test !!! it can be a bit alarming to start with but you get used to it !!

[jamesholden]

Sometimes it's the ABS system starting aswell.