Strange Idle!!! Possible Clicking sound related?????

[FuNwaGoN]

Ok so some of you may have seen my thread from last thursday about my mysterious little clicking sound. Well the clicking sound went away after the temp. warmed up and has yet to come back. Well this morning I was driving to work and noticed something that really worried me. I will do my best to describe what it is doing.

Ok so driving along in traffic and I push the clutch in and start to slow down. I am in 1st or 2nd at this point. Well of course since I push the clutch in the revs are going to drop but the problem is that they drop all the way down to the point that the car about cuts off(the 1st click mark above the - 0) then it shoots back up to about 1000rpms. It does this everytime I push the clutch in and don't let it right back out. It was also doing it when I was just sitting there in nuetral without the clutch puched in but not as bad, maybe only dropping to around 300rpms and bouncing back up to around 800rpms. This is really worrying me because my car is bone stock(NO PERFORMANCE UPGRADES) and only has 4k miles on the odo. It did this to me 1 time before about a week or two ago. WHat happened then was I was going at about 50 whe I had to make a quick stop and so I put it in second slowed to about 30 and let the clutch out(the rpms shot up but not out of normal range, well as soon as I got stopped I pushed the clutch back in and slid it in to 1st with the clutch still engaged. That is when the rpms started dropping to the point the car about cuts off. It only did it for a few more miles but then stopped and hadn't done it since. It did it one more time for a little bit over the weekend but went away again.

I let the car warm up this morning but not for too long... just until the needle registered a temp. Not driving hard and the clutch is pressed all the way in every time I shift. I am running 87 octane gas but that shouldn't make this happen should it???? I have had only one oil change and no other service on the car.:wtf: :wtf: :mad:

Has anyone else has this problem, Oh yeah as an update on the clicking noise too, I called the dealer to cancel my appointment and I asked if they had ever heard of any other P5's or MP3's with this problem, they said they had never heard of such a thing, and agreed with me that if it wasn't doing it constantly that it would be very hard to diagnos.

I need help. The reason I got a brand new car was 1. Better gas mileage(My truck gets about 7mpg in city) 2. Not worrying about it breaking down all of the time or having to have service, I really wanted a car with a warranty instead of constantly getting stuck with $1000+ service bills.

Any Help or thought would be great. I am glad I didn't start modding my car on day 1 because they would probably blame it all on the mods.

 

[20ESGUY]

Check out the battery voltage...standing and with the car idling. Standing voltage should be between 11.5-12.5 volts and with the car idling should be in the neighboorhood of 12.8-13.5 or so. If you've got a low voltage that may be the culprit with the idle, could have a loose plate or a cell going. You may want the dealership to do a diag on the ecu also...just to check for possible missfires or air leaks from the emissions systems. You could do a visual on the hoses..but it'd be fairly difficult with out using the scan tool to atleast get a starting point.

 

[FuNwaGoN]

I had the same thought about the voltage. Kind of hard to tell without a voltmeter in the car. I installed an amp and sub and when the problem first started I was listening to the radio and had heat on full blast but it still did it even when I turned everything off. DO our alternators suck that bad???? meaning not a huge amp and not listening that loud and only runing heat and headlights. I figure I am going to have to take it to the dealership on this one but just wanted to check here on the boards before I did.

 

[1sty]

Mine and many other members cars are doing the saem thing. Mine did't until the turbo. Other people have it with just an intake change or even a stock P5/MP3 like yourself.

Is it worse with accesories on ie a/c and head light?

 

[1sty]

I had the same thought about the voltage. Kind of hard to tell without a voltmeter in the car. I installed an amp and sub and when the problem first started I was listening to the radio and had heat on full blast but it still did it even when I turned everything off. DO our alternators suck that bad???? meaning not a huge amp and not listening that loud and only runing heat and headlights. I figure I am going to have to take it to the dealership on this one but just wanted to check here on the boards before I did.

I'd hide the powr wire and any trace under the hood of the amplifier. Dealers are fundamentaly scum bags.

I had a customer tell me his dealer said his air bags had to be replaced becuase we had to remove the factory radio to install XM :bs:.

Also dealers won't even work on some cars sometimes if it has a remote starter installed :wtf:

i don't think its an electrical problem most people seem to think its the AIC valve. Please get the car to the dealer ASAP so those of use who can't go there anymore will beable to fix our cars.

 

[big_ben]

Why even ask? You have a warranty, go get it looked at for free.

 

[FuNwaGoN]

Yeah I am planning on taking the sub out one night this week. It was really just a temp fix when I went down to Nopi, Had to have the tunes you know!!! Going to pull it back out and put it back in the truck before I go to the dealer. I will let you guys know what I find out.

IF YOU READ THIS THREAD AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM PLEASE AT LEAST POST SAYING SAME PROBLEM OR DESCRIBING YOURS SO THAT I HAVE SOME AMMO AT THE DEALER TO PUSH TO GET A SOLUTION TO THIS!

IMO A $20k brand new car should not be doing this and honestly is really pissing me off. I love this little car but if the mysterious little things keep happening I may have to make a hard descision.

ALSO question for anyone in NC or anyone up on the Lemon Laws. If I understand it correctly it has to be a problem that affect the driveability of the car, ie not like a radio or other accessory but more like driveline engine and electrical stuff. Anyway my understanding is that if it get worked on 3 times for the same problem within I think it is either 6 months or 1 year then I beleive that the lemon law takes effect. A friend had this happen a couple of years ago on a ford mustang and on his fourth visit they actually went through the lot and got him a brand new mustang to replace his with the problems. he had driveline issues(don't remember exactly what) Anyone know more about this law. Just trying to get as educated as I can before I go and battle the dealership. Hmmmm gets my mind going about other cars.... hate to say it .... but saw that my local Subaru dealer is clearing out some of the 2002 WRX's and they have a silver one that is 5 spd just calling my name. Ahhhh who am I kidding. Gotta get this car fixed or resolved first. Wait maybe I could negotiate for a MSP in Black hmmmm now that gets the mind reall going. I am just going to stop dreaming until I figure out what is wrong with my P5. Like I said will let you guys know what I find out.

 

[1sty]

http://www.geocities.com/adamk01452/
this thread on probe tlak disI just found this.
Since we have the same engine these would be the places to start.

If they say they can't duplicate it go along with them for the test ride and put the heater on 2 the rear defroster on and the lights. It will definitly droop.

 

[FuNwaGoN]

Big Ben you ask a good question but I have a good answer. There is a deductible on my warranty and so every time I bring it in for unscheduled service it will cost me like $25 or $50 I gotta get the sheet out and read it again. If you add those little amounts up after going tohrough the usual runaround at the dealer then they could set you back with nothing really fixed or accomplished. Anyone else have this deductible on their warranty?????

I would definately go on the test ride with them but the problem is taking the time off of work to be able to do that. Damn 8-5 job. And they are open on saturdays but only 2 techs are htere and they are usually just oil change guys, and other minor services.

 

[big_ben]

A deductable on your warrany!!!!! I have NEVER heard of that. If that is true, you got a very bad deal.

 

[1sty]

That sounds completely Illegal!

 

[big_ben]

There shouldn't be any deductable on a warranty. You can go there everyday if you want as long as you really think something is really wrong with your car. Now if you get the whole hypocondriac sp? thing going on where you are in there every day because your window didn't roll up as fast as it did the time before, they will probably charge you.

 

[mypfizzle]

my car had the same problem when i got it from the dealer. Except i believe mine was worse. i have an automatic and the car would actually die if parked for too long. the dealer replaced a fuse or fusible link i cant remmeber which. they said the car was prone to have problems with this one fuse. i dont know if it was all a line or what but the car runs great now.

 

[1sty]

my car had the same problem when i got it from the dealer. Except i believe mine was worse. i have an automatic and the car would actually die if parked for too long. the dealer replaced a fuse or fusible link i cant remmeber which. they said the car was prone to have problems with this one fuse. i dont know if it was all a line or what but the car runs great now.

Is there any way to contact the dealer and find what they did exactly and where it is?

 

[20ESGUY]

Actually funwagon's probably right about his decutable..but it should only be applicable to the extended warranty not to the factory 3yr/50k mile, after he passes those deadlines he'll have a dec. As for the lemon law...yeah it's 3 repair attempts within the first year of ownership. You have to provide proof of attempts with specific dates and conversations. You also have to give reason as to why you feel the car is not safe or is non-repairable, kind of self explanatory in some cases. There's a card in the back of you're owners manual you can fill out to get the process started. Just one word of caution though...try and exhaust every option, ie manager responses and district rep response, before submiting the lemon law. Also they may not even refund you're purchase, sometimes they will make you trade like for like and both parties (service dept. and customer) have to agree to get a refund. If they do refund your purchase dont expect the full value, they'll subtract the amout for the mileage used at the current dollar per mile value...so if you've got 4k miles then they'll subtract $1,440.00. I've been through it on the service dept. end, so if you have any more questions lemme know and I'll try and help the best I can.

 

[FuNwaGoN]

hmmm I am going to have to go back and re-read my service packet. amybe I mis-understood something. Seemed a little strange when I read it the first time especially since I bought the extended coverage but since I have never had a car that was new or had a warranty then I just wasn't sure. That's why I posted on this board first. You guys may have just saved me some mulah! BTW just went to lunch and it was stilll doing it. So going to call and see when I can get an appt. at the dealer and will try and get the sub/amp unhooked before then. Keep the comments coming as I am going to print some of them to show the damn service guy so he doesn't think I am crazy.

Anyone got any info on the lemon law thing. Like I said this is all new territory for me as far as having a new car and warranty and all.

thanks again guys.

 

[blynzoo]

There is no deductible on your primary warranty. There is no deductible on any factory warranty on any car ever made, as far as I know. Dont worry about that. Take it in TOMORROW and have them look at it.

Re: the lemon laws, the gopher is here. Lemon laws are state s***, so they vary from state to state. Here in Indiana, it's for the life of the car. In NC (I believe that's what you said), here's the law direct from your state's codebook. Look at the bold sections, then catch up to me at the bottom of the post:

North Carolina Lemon Law Statutes
NCGS CHAPTER 20, ARTICLE 15A

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Motor Vehicles Warranties Act
20-351. Purpose.

This Article shall provide State and private remedies against motor vehicle manufacturers for persons injured by new motor vehicles failing to conform to express warranties.

(1987, c. 385.)

20-351.3. Replacement or refund; disclosure requirement.

(a) When the consumer is the purchaser or a person entitled by the terms of the express warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty, if the manufacturer is unable, after a reasonable number of attempts, to conform the motor vehicle to any express warranty by repairing or correcting, or arranging for the repair or correction of, any defect or condition or series of defects or conditions which substantially impair the value of the motor vehicle to the consumer, and which occurred no later than 24 months or 24,000 miles following original delivery of the vehicle, the manufacturer shall, at the option of the consumer, replace the vehicle with a comparable new motor vehicle or accept return of the vehicle from the consumer and refund to the consumer the following:


(1) The full contract price including, but not limited to, charges for undercoating, dealer preparation and transportation, and installed options, plus the non-refundable portions of extended warranties and service contracts;
(2) All collateral charges, including but not limited to, sales tax, license and registration fees, and similar government charges;

(3) All finance charges incurred by the consumer after he first reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer; and

(4) Any incidental damages and monetary consequential damages.


(b) When consumer is a lessee, if the manufacturer is unable, after a reasonable number of attempts, to conform the motor vehicle to any express warranty by repairing or correcting, or arranging for the repair or correction of, any defect or condition or series of defects or conditions which substantially impair the value of the motor vehicle to the consumer, and which occurred no later than 24 months or 24,000 miles following original delivery of the vehicle, the manufacturer shall, at the option of the consumer, replace the vehicle with a comparable new motor vehicle or accept return of the vehicle from the consumer and refund the following:

(1) To the consumer:

a. All sums previously paid by the consumer under the terms of the lease;
b. All sums previously paid by the consumer in connection with entering into the lease agreement, including, but not limited to, any capitalized cost reduction, sales tax, license and registration fees, and similar government charges; and

c. Any incidental and monetary consequential damages.


(2) To the lessor, a full refund of the lease price, plus an additional amount equal to five percent (5%) of the lease price, less eighty-five percent (85%) of the amount actually paid by the consumer to the lessor pursuant to the lease. The lease price means the actual purchase cost of the vehicle to the lessor.
In the case of a refund, the leased vehicle shall be returned to the manufacturer and the consumer's written lease shall be terminated by the lessor without any penalty to the consumer. The lessor shall transfer title of the motor vehicle to the manufacturer as necessary to effectuate the consumer's rights pursuant to this Article, whether the consumer chooses vehicle replacement or refund.


(c) Refunds shall be made to the consumer, lessor and any lienholders as their interests may appear. The refund to the consumer shall be reduced by a reasonable allowance for the consumer's use of the vehicle. A reasonable allowance for use is that amount directly attributable to use by the consumer prior to his first report of the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer, and during any subsequent period when the vehicle is not out of service because of repair. "Reasonable allowance" is presumed to be the cash price or the lease price, as the case may be, of the vehicle multiplied by a fraction having as its denominator 100,000 miles and its numerator the number of miles attributed to the consumer.
(d) If a manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer resells a motor vehicle that was returned pursuant to this Article or any other State's applicable law, regardless of whether there was any judicial determination that the motor vehicle had any defect or that it failed to conform to all express warranties, the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer shall disclose to the subsequent purchaser prior to the sale:


(1) That the motor vehicle was returned pursuant to this Article or pursuant to the applicable law of any other State; and
(2) The defect or condition or series of defects or conditions which substantially impaired the value of the motor vehicle to the consumer. Any subsequent purchaser who purchases the motor vehicle for resale with notice of the return, shall make the required disclosures to any person to whom he resells the motor vehicle.


(1987, c. 385; 1989, c. 43, s. 1, c. 519, s. 1.)

20-351.5. Presumption.

(a) It is presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a motor vehicle to the applicable express warranties if:


(1) The same nonconformity has been presented for repair to the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer four or more times but the same nonconformity continues to exist; or
(2) The vehicle was out of service to the consumer during or while awaiting repair of the nonconformity or a series of nonconformities for a cumulative total of 20 or more business days during any 12-month period of the warranty, provided that the consumer has notified the manufacturer directly in writing of the existence of the nonconformity or series of nonconformities and allowed the manufacturer a reasonable period, not to exceed 15 calendar days, in which to correct the nonconformity or series of nonconformities. The manufacturer must clearly and conspicuously disclose to the consumer in the warranty or owners manual that written notification of a nonconformity is required before a consumer may be eligible for a refund or replacement of the vehicle and the manufacturer shall include in the warranty or owners manual the name and address where the written notification may be sent. Provided, further, that notice to the manufacturer shall not be required if the manufacturer fails to make the disclosures provided herein.



20-351.7. Civil action by the consumer.

A consumer injured by reason of any violation of the provisions of this Article may bring a civil action against the manufacturer; provided, however, the consumer has given the manufacturer written notice of his intent to bring an action against the manufacturer at least 10 days prior to filing such suit. Nothing in this section shall prevent a manufacturer from requiring a consumer to utilize an informal settlement procedure prior to litigation if that procedure substantially complies in design and operation with the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 USC 2301 et seq., and regulations promulgated thereunder, and that requirement is written clearly and conspicuously, in the written warranty and any warranty instructions provided to the consumer.

(1987, c. 385.)

Okay, so for NC you have a 24 month, 24K mi full lemon coverage. Acceptable chances to fix it is four or more times, OR 20 cumulative days in the shop over 12 months (which is pretty good!). The lemon law applies to ANYTHING on the car that came at point of sale, even something like door locks. In fact, we had a suburban with the elecric roll-down window, and we got two new suburbans just because they couldnt fix the problem in the design stage. Kind of like a lease, but cheaper.....
You can read on to the bottom to find out what your options are for addressing the dealer.

HOpe that helped.

 

[FuNwaGoN]

Blynzoo you are the man!!!!!! Wow I had those laws all wrong. Guess if it comes down to that I will be doing better than I thought I would.

Well I called and talked to the service manager and he told me that the deductible is only on the extended warranty and that they will even give me a car for the day or for however long it takes to fix. They haven't had any P5's or MP3's doing this so they are kinda eager to look at my car. While it is there I am going to have them take a look at the clicking sound in the rear. The guy sounded really helpful and nice, hmmmm am I sure that I called a car dealership...... Well I am taking it over there tomorrow morning, He said that they were slammed full yesterday and today but I have the first open spot on Wed. He said for me to count the number of times it does it between now and then and try and see if there are any common variables that might be causing it. I still have to take the stereo out of the car (sub/amp) before tomorrow but it is damn raining here. Guess I am going to have to clean out my garage so I can at least pull half of the car in tonight. I will let everyone know what they say.

Just a side note because I swung by the dealer after they were closed, They have miatas and I think millenias for demo's and thats what they said they will be giving me to drive. Hmmmm they don't know what they are getting themselves into if they give me a miata.... heheheheheheheheheheheh(munical evil villian laugh with a little kids voice)

Like I said I'll keep you guys posted, and thank SOOOOOOOO MUCH to all that helped on this.

 

[mypfizzle]

according to the dealer its a fusible link to the alternator that had to be replaced because the factory unit had a flaw in it. i donno. i asked for a part number and he said fusible linksdont have part numbers and it is the only one with any relation to the alternator.
good luck

 

[1sty]

OK, then its the 100 amp fuse that has the 6 guage wire from the alternator on the right terminal and the 6 guage to the + battery terminal on the left. Its in the fuse box in the engine bay on the drivers side.

Did he say where a replacement coud be found?
Is it the Fuse itself or the electrical componenets under it?