Unexpected gearbox(?) noise coming from car during acceleration

[Teduardo]

Hey all, newbie here and glad to be part of the forum.

Having a problem - just purchased a Tiguan HL MY17 privately, had it inspected by VW beforehand and test drove myself and all seemed OK. On that basis I purchased the vehicle. However, a couple days in and the car is making noises which I did not pickup on the test drive nor did VW during inspection.

When the car is put into Drive and start accelerating gently, it makes a short, sharp 'grinding' type sound for a split second (best I can describe it - similar to synchromesh grind in a manual car). At the moment it only occurs when going from Park to Drive and accelerating from standstill or from Reverse to Drive and in 1st gear around 10km/h. Once the car is in Drive and then stop, it doesn't do it again (at this stage). It's intermittent but replicable. Will uploaded a video shortly which demonstrates the sound.

Obviously not very happy given its day 3 of ownership and have contacted the seller and VW to have it inspected.

Would appreciate feedback from anyone who knows of this issue or what it may be or if there are other threads discussing this issue, thanks.

[tigger73]

Unexpected gearbox(?) noise coming from car during acceleration

Does this occur when turning? Or in a straight line?

I’ve had a number of discussions with various people at VW about the Haldex “binding” in 1st gear.

It’s almost like a diff lock on the rear axles and you can get tyre scrubbing/slip at low speeds on take-off. It only happens when turning though as you wouldn’t notice it happening in a straight line.

I have been told this is “normal” and come to accept it but not sure it’s the same noise as what you’re describing.

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[Teduardo]

Hi Tigger, seems to occur in a straight line (at least for the moment) from when I put the car into Drive from Park (when I first start up and drive off) or from Reverse to Drive (ie doing a 3-point turn). Waiting for YT to finish processing a couple videos and will insert links.

[Teduardo]

See links below

[Teduardo]

Here are the 2 videos I recorded so I can show the dealer service guys in case I cant replicate at the time.

Tiguan noises_1 - YouTube
Tiguan noises_2 - YouTube

[mr gee]

That's certainly not normal. Back to VW you go.

[spacemannz]

That's certainly not normal. Back to VW you go.

Agree. Definitely not normal, I’m sorry to say.
I hope you have some luck with the vendor or VW....You’ll love your Tiggy once you’ve got that sorted!

[Teduardo]

Thanks, not a great start though!
Researching if I have any protection under Sales of Goods Act with the seller (probably not under ACL) and/or VW under ACL given its literally only 3mths out of warranty as it does consitute a failure of some description.

[Simonr23]

Looks like the owner did a dodgy start the car and drive for a minute to ensure the car is good for the buyer.
As is expected you tend to coordinate a time to look at a car- gives the seller the chance to ‘game’ the process.

Good luck. If the car has service history, I suspect VW will cover it. I don’t think you’ll have any recourse through the private sale. “Car was fine when I had it” will be the reply.

[veew]

Sorry to hear mate, definitely does not sound right. Hopefully it is sorted out and in your favour.

[Teduardo]

Thanks all, will keep you updated of progress.

A thought - wondering if I should take it to the dealer where it was purchased/serviced by previous owner (last serviced 45k in Jun '20) or my local VW where I had the inspecton done. I'm inclined to think I'm more likely to have success with the originating dealer that has the whole history of the car than with a new dealer who doesnt.

I did ring the originating dealer to validate the service history and check if there were any warranty repairs or claims against the car, and they confiemd the only issue was an infotainment software update during last service and a brake complaint not long after delivery in '18, nothing further.

[cameleon72]

Check the front brake pads first! if they are worn and disks rotors are worn on edges , it could make similar sound. I recently discovered that Front brake system on Tiguan has some major factory flow desi, which could make lots of different noises , which can be even mixed with bad suspensions loud banging noises . Rubbish front brake design on 340mm clippers

[tigger73]

Sounds like something is loose in either the suspension or an engine mount.


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[Teduardo]

Thx for the tip - possible but not but not probable. Front pads/discs are at 7mm and 28.94mm according to pre-purch inspection. One thought that crossed my mind is it could be ABS system making noise as I had heard something simialr on another car previously however all will be revealed in the fuillness of time as the saying goes.

[spacemannz]

Thx for the tip - possible but not but not probable. Front pads/discs are at 7mm and 28.94mm according to pre-purch inspection. One thought that crossed my mind is it could be ABS system making noise as I had heard something simialr on another car previously however all will be revealed in the fuillness of time as the saying goes.

Good luck! Do let us know how you get on - many of us are in that 3 year range now and just in/out of warranty. Murphy's Law; that is the time any kind of design flaw or common fault rears it's ugly head.
(My warranty expires in 10 days)