My P5 is making funny sounds...

[iliveonnitro]

I've never owned a stickshift car until my 03.5 MP5. I don't know if this is normal, or if I should have it checked out (under warranty?).

1) When in reverse, my car makes a weird electric-type sound. Here is my best typed impression (heh): weh-neh-neh-neh-neh-neh

2) When moving over .05mph in neutral, backwards, the car will not click into reverse - even with the clutch pressed. It grinds the gears. Is this normal?

3) When I start the car, it immediately revs to just over 2500rpm and then makes a very slight grinding noise (like the starter motor is staying engauged for 1/10 of a second too long). Is there a way to make it only spin up to like, 1500rpm at startup? I'm not holding the key too long on "run" when I start the car. It starts instantly, but just goes too high and sort of grinds.

Any ideas?

Oh yeah, and I only was able to shift clutchless like 3 times in the past week. There was a thread about how to do this, but I just can't get it - it usually grinds...any more tips than just "practice?" I hate to grind.

 

[gottacatchup]

Everything you're experiencing is normal. Your issue with reverse is that it doesnt have any synchros on it so unless you double clutch it you have to be at a complete stop to engage the gears. As far as the overrev on startup my car does the same thing and usually remains at a higher rpm until the engine is completely warmed up then the computer dials down the idle speed.

And unless you want to replace your tranny in a couple thousand miles always use the clutch when shifting.

 

[Pro5Monkey]

I've never owned a stickshift car until my 03.5 MP5. I don't know if this is normal, or if I should have it checked out (under warranty?).

1) When in reverse, my car makes a weird electric-type sound. Here is my best typed impression (heh): weh-neh-neh-neh-neh-neh
Mine does this. I think it's normal

2) When moving over .05mph in neutral, backwards, the car will not click into reverse - even with the clutch pressed. It grinds the gears. Is this normal?
I believe this is normal as well. Just make sure you're completely stopped before shifting

3) When I start the car, it immediately revs to just over 2500rpm and then makes a very slight grinding noise (like the starter motor is staying engauged for 1/10 of a second too long). Is there a way to make it only spin up to like, 1500rpm at startup? I'm not holding the key too long on "run" when I start the car. It starts instantly, but just goes too high and sort of grinds.
This doesn't sound "normal"

Any ideas?

Oh yeah, and I only was able to shift clutchless like 3 times in the past week. There was a thread about how to do this, but I just can't get it - it usually grinds...any more tips than just "practice?" I hate to grind.

USE THE CLUTCH!! IT'S THERE FOR A REASON

 

[Mike R]

These cars are pretty crummy, all that is normal. Sounds like the bearings are going on it if it's making that much noise at startup, and it shouldn't rev that high...

Heck this damn car grinds even when I use the clutch! I wish someone would total it...
Even my old POS 89 tercel EZ could shift clutchless.

 

[Brian MP5T]

H8r^^

 

[carter1551]

yeah i mean i dont have a manual but I can tell you that my car revs around where you said right when starting it up but as it runs it eases down to a more normal range. And as for the guy that hates his car. From what Ive read and heard these are some extremely reliable cars and these engines have been used in mazdas for years so they must be good or they would have changed something a long time ago

 

[CodeMan]

I've never owned a stickshift car until my 03.5 MP5. I don't know if this is normal, or if I should have it checked out (under warranty?).

1) When in reverse, my car makes a weird electric-type sound. Here is my best typed impression (heh): weh-neh-neh-neh-neh-neh

2) When moving over .05mph in neutral, backwards, the car will not click into reverse - even with the clutch pressed. It grinds the gears. Is this normal?

3) When I start the car, it immediately revs to just over 2500rpm and then makes a very slight grinding noise (like the starter motor is staying engauged for 1/10 of a second too long). Is there a way to make it only spin up to like, 1500rpm at startup? I'm not holding the key too long on "run" when I start the car. It starts instantly, but just goes too high and sort of grinds.

Any ideas?

Oh yeah, and I only was able to shift clutchless like 3 times in the past week. There was a thread about how to do this, but I just can't get it - it usually grinds...any more tips than just "practice?" I hate to grind.

All normal. Every four banger five-speed car makes the remote control car sound when you're reversing. Learn to love it. Most manual cars are also picky about going into reverse at a stop. Try putting the shifter in a foward gear first, then reverse. That should synchronize your reverse gear for you. The "grind" you're hearing at startup I would describe more as a "rattle" or "rough" sound and is also completely normal. It's just the VTCS doing it's thing. It sounds horrible, I know, but rest assured there's nothing wrong.

 

[worker_robot]

yeah all normal, i think.

mine still rattles after a start while driving around 3k rpm for a bit...annoying as hell.

though, i also have started hearing a kind of whistle sound that happens when i downshift/depress the clutch while driving. i can't get it to be regular though so i'm not sure exactly what i do that causes it.