shobuddy

iTrader: (1)

I have an 2003 Maxima. About this time last year I started to hear a 'winding' sound(which I hadn't heard before) when I turned the ignition on and off. I also heard it when driving at slow speeds but there was too much noise to hear it at faster driving speeds. The sound wasn't perpetual...it would come on for a few seconds at a time then go off. Earlier this month the sound would not stop at all...even w/the ignition off. I took it to the dealer and it turned out to be the motor mount. The dealer says the motor mount is supposed to make that noise...can anyone else confirm this for me. It just doesn't sound normal to me...sometimes the sound comes on 30 seconds after I've turned off the ignition.

The questions in my mind are if this is a normal noise, why didn't I hear it before, when I first bought the car. And after the noise started, the motor mount eventually gave out. Since its still making the noise (after the dealer replaced the motor mount), I don't want it to go bad again.

So my main question is: Is the noise normal?

Thanks

Le1717y

i don't have a direct answer to your question.. but when i do shut off my car.. i do hear that winding down noise only for a few seconds.. its not really consistent either.. sometimes i would hear it and sometimes i won't.. usually when im working on my car when i have the hood open i hear the noise a lot louder.. this noise has actually been going on for some time now.. i never really thought anything of it.. but now you are making me wonder..

sorry i couldn't really answer your question..

rbrown81

iTrader: (3)

Can you be more descriptive of the sound you hear? It will help us diagnose it better.

shobuddy

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the response, Le17. It helps to know you hear it too.

rbrown, the sound comes from the engine mount. The closest thing I can think of that it sounds like is an electric shaver except not as steady. so if an electric shaver makes a weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee sound then the engine mount makes a weee weee weee sound.

steven88

iTrader: (28)

doesn't sound normal to me....it should a working motor mount should be quiet from inside the cabin....

kvk2003max

I had a similar issue and the dealer "could not find it" when i complained. It continued for a month or so and one fine morning my ECM blew (Don't know if the motor mount problem is the cause of this). But as soon as the ECM was replaced, the sound disappeared. It has been 15 months so far and the sound has not come back.

To describe the sound, it is somewhat like the sound when you stick a dollar bill in a vending machine.

rbrown81

iTrader: (3)

Thats weird. I have never heard of a motor mount making a noise as described ever before. Especially not if its random. If it were constant, sure... But 30 seconds after you turn the car off... weird.

shobuddy

iTrader: (1)

What does ECM stand for?

And how much did it cost to replace?

kvk2003max

Engine Command Module (also known as ECU Engine Control Unit)

Mine was replaced under warranty (I had around 24K miles on the car at the time), but the service guy told me it was around $1500 (including labor)

boondoxmax

iTrader: (1)

I know the auto 5.5 gens have electronic motor mounts but my 02 auto never made that noise. I don't think its normal.

steven88

iTrader: (28)

try taking it to another dealership and see what they have to say about it?

shobuddy

iTrader: (1)

Since I've gotten it replaced at this dealership, I will try them one more time. I think kvk is describing my problem. Something is causing the engine mount to constantly have to adjust itself. This is not normal and wearing out the engine mount.

rbrown81

iTrader: (3)

correct me if I am wrong, but I dont think there are any moving parts in a motor mount...

shobuddy

iTrader: (1)

They motor mounts are electrical in newer cars...including the 03 Max.

rbrown81

iTrader: (3)

give me pictures or give me death. They are fluid filled.

kvk2003max

This is a extract from the FSM. Apparently, The mounts are supposed to assume two positions in order to reduce vibrations one is at idle (soft) and one while driving (hard). There is a diagram on page 72 of the FSM (em.pdf) where it looks like there is a harness but there is no mention of whether it is hydraulic or electric controlled.

shobuddy

iTrader: (1)

kvk, 2 questions:

1. so what you're saying is that when i hear the winding, its switching between those two positions?

2. what is the fsm and where can I find it?

Thanks

boondoxmax

iTrader: (1)

It's electric controlled. When I had my accident with my 02 I remember my buddy who owns an autobody shop tell me that he had never seen engine mounts like the ones on my car. He said there was a electric wire that ran directly from the mount. Either way I think it's kinda cool technology.

kvk2003max

1) That is what i would think since the sound is from the Elecrronic motor mount. I did not look at the mount, but apparently there is a harness on the mount you can unplug to test the operation of the mount. (described on page 714 of ec.pdf in the FSM)
2) Sent you a private message with the download link for the FSM

spdfreak

It makes sence that the motor mount is the cause of the noise, but I would go to another mechanic, (don't tell him what you think is wrong, just tell him what you hear).

cuk133

Hi guys, yeah I have the same sound as described above........., esp when I just turned off the car, the sound persists for about 3 secs(?). So is the conclusion that the sound is normal??
Hi kvk2003max can you send me the link to the FSM too? Thanks!

sascuderi

Of note, there is a TSB for motor mount noise, but it is for 2000-01 max. It seems the noise is at shut down.

http://maxima.theowensfamily.com/tsb/NTB01-010.pdf

shobuddy

iTrader: (1)

I took it back to the dealer. Now they tell me they need to replace the second motormount(not covered under warranty). If the problem persists after they do that, they will replace the ECM(covered under the warranty). I am 96% sure its the ECM and not the motormount but they say they have to replace the second motor mount before they replace the ECM as per their bulletin procedures. So basically if the problem persists after they replace the second motormount, I will have paid to replace a part that didnt' need replacing. I told them this but they say its standard procedure. Wouldn't a diagnostic tell if its the ECM thats the problem?

kisas

my engine has noise too, it sounds like da da da da da, very annoying!!!
someone told me it's the engine mount problem, does anyone know how to diagnose engine mount problem?
Thanks

Ghost_54

iTrader: (13)

I have an 03 SE and never heard any noise from my front electronic mount, I would try a couple of other places for an opinion on what you are hearing ... I had my engine mount swapped out for some nice new ES polyurethane bushing mounts to better stabilize the engine from moving and reduce wheel hope.