There is a weird scratching/clunk noise that occurs *only once*, about 60 seconds or so after I start my engine. It sounds almost like something is briefly scraping on the pavement. My mechanic says he thinks there might be something loose in the muffler. Any ideas before I pay big bucks for him/a muffler person to root around looking for a problem? My mechanic is a Saab specialist, so maybe it's something only Volvo related..or maybe he is right and it's not much to worry about only something in the muffler. Should I be concerned?

Thanks,

Saskia
Los Angeles
95 850 wagon

i was wondering the same thing. only recently did i learn its this abs thingy. i couldnt think of how to phrase the question but you worded it perfectly. mystery solved. signed 644,000 km and going up

Ok I just did an ABS test search in the forum and seems like that is probably what it is; I'm not the only person who has noticed this noise. So I guess for now I'll assume it's normal and nothing to worry about:

http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/volvo-722101.html

Hi Saskia... it's been a while

Are you saying that one minute after you start your engine, you get a strange noise? How long does the noise last? Or are you saying that you get a strange noise when you start your engine, and that the noise lasts for 60 seconds, then goes away?

And I assume that this happens when you just sit there idling after you start the car. Or does it only happen when you're driving?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but maybe you can clarify things a bit.


Marty
'96 855T

Sounds like the automatic test for the ABS.

Hi Marty,

Thanks for your reply. And I finally found a Volvo!

Here is the scenario:

I start the car..I can idle as long as I want. The noise only happens about 60 seconds after I start driving, and lasts for about 1 second. The sound is similar to when you go over a driveway and you hit the curb on the bottom of the car--like a scrape--but as I said it only lasts for a second. And it only happens while I'm driving...and only once! about 60 or so seconds after I start driving.It does sound like it is coming from the muffler area...sort of in the center of the car.

This happens every time after I start the car. I can start the car, hear the noise, and then turn off the engine. Then start the car right up again, begin driving, and reliably this noise reoccurs. And it only happens once after I start it. Very weird!!

Saskia

Sounds like ABS testing. ABS test kicks in at speed 20-30 m/h (the first time you drive the car after the engine is started.). You can try to drive slow, say <10 miles/hour, to see whether you still get the noise.

I'll try it this morning. Thanks. What is the ABS test? Please don't tell me it's expensive!

Hi again Saskia...

I hope some of the replies helped. The ABS test is a self-test that the car does all by itself, and there is nothing to "fix".

In fact, if you pay careful attention, you may notice a slight vibration in the brake pedal if you rest your foot on it at the same time that the noise is occurring. Many mechanics (and Volvo owners) are at first troubled by this phenomenon, just as they are troubled the first time they hear the "moaning" noise that can be made by the air pump which only works during the first two minutes or so after start-up to control "cold start" emissions.

You may not have a problem at all... be patient, don't spend any money, and see if anything else develops.

This may be another case of the terrific Brickboard members saving another Volvo owner from wasting money by chasing ghosts.

Congratulations on your new family member.

Please keep us posted.

Marty
'96 855T