car groans while stopped and in drive

[meb2004]

My 2000 ford explorer makes a groaning noise while i'm stopped, but still in drive. The noise does not happen when i'm driving or even slowing down. I'll be at a stop light and it will start to make a groaning noise. Over time it has been getting louder and I recently had my transmission fluid changed, oil changed, and general inspection at valvoline and it is still going on. It doesn't happen every time while stopped, but it is happening more frequently and seems to be getting louder.

Any ideas? Any other info needed? This car has only been mine for less than a year and I know most of its service record, but I can't be 100%.

 

[marragtop]

Does it continue to groan if you put it in neutral or park? Also, does having your foot on or off the brake pedal make any difference?

 

[Four0Sport]

is it a groan or more of a loud metal rattle? if its a rattle then it is prbly the heat shields on the muffler and/or catalytic converters. for some reason the noise seems to be more prevelant while stopped at a light or stopped in drive.

 

[meb2004]

I think it is more from the engine area. I'll try to check if it ever happens at any other time, but it's only noticeable while in drive, but stopped. If I ease off the brake it still makes the noise. But it doesn't make the noise every time which is what throws me off. It only sometimes does it and then it varies in how long it lasts and how loud it gets.

It is definitely more of a groaning sound than a rattling sound. Today it wasn't too bad at all, it was also a little warmer (above 40 degrees) so I'm not sure if that might be a factor.

I would say the sound is most similar to an engine revving (not the same though), but it slightly vibrates the car and there's no change in rpm.

 

[marragtop]

Sounds like it could be the IAC valve. Try cleaning or replacing it. There are many posts on this subject.

 

[Cobraguy]

Really marragtop? You've seen that before? I don't recall ever hearing one make a noise like that. I've heard transmission pressure regulator valves rattle like crazy at idle, but not an IAC. Does the engine idle properly when this happens?

 

[marragtop]

I threw in the IAC comment because his last post said it sounded like it was coming from the engine area. I've heard bad IACs referred to as 'howling' and 'whistling' and I guess someone could describe it as 'groaning'. Just a thought....

 

[supertuner19]

sounds like the same thing i had happen on a 1997 explorer check your idler pulley