hey, i was driving my car today and noticed a ticking noise coming from the car. it sounds a lot like a spark plug not firing correctly, but the odd thing is that the noise only happens in 1st,2nd, and 3rd gears; the noise goes away in 4th and 5th. and the noise only happens when i'm stepping on the gas, if i leave it in gear and let go of the gas while in gear there is no sound. when i rev it in neutral there is no sound.

could this be a transmission problem?

 

is it like a low tick or a loud clunk? a loud clunk could be the tranny...but i have a tick and it was my #5 coil. in the rear(on the driverside) so it was noticable and i had a loss of power...

are you throwing any codes?

 

its a high pitched tick

 

are u throwing any codes? does it sound like a a drum? i wouldnt think its the tranny...get to auto zone and get the codes pulled sometimes there in there and u dont know it. also u can get the coils checked they have a tool for it.

 

what kind of gas are you using?

 

yea i have my own obdii scanner and it didn't show any codes. it sounds like a rapid ticking from like a cowbell, i can't figure it out cause it only happens in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears, 4th and 5th have no sounds.

i'm using 91, so i don't think its knocking

 

Are you using 89 Octane gas?

 

someone isn't paying attention.

 

Same here.
I would become the happiest man in the world if i'll fix that stupid rattling...

 

what year is your car (then i can figure out the transmission based on the # of gears you mentioned).

 

its a 01 max se 5 speed

 

i know exactly what noise your talking about,.. does it increase speed with increased rpm? tick..tick... ticktickticktick .. i hated that noise,.. mine randomly went away,.. bad tank of gas? try going to another station next time,... sorry i couldnt be more of a help... also def could be due to coils

 

could low transmission fluid level cause a ticking noise? i'm pretty sure this noise is coming from the transmission becuase it only happens while in gear.

 

The injectors make a ticking sound. Maybe it's that.

 

how would i find out if thats the sound?

 

i would say take it to a local trusted mechanic to check it out.

 

sounds like what happens to mine if I dont let it warm up first.