Strange noises in the Caprice, gremlins they be?

General topics relative to the Caprice and associated vehicles. For items not fitting into other sub-sections in addition to general chat.
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20129C1
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Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2017 4:12 pm

Strange noises in the Caprice, gremlins they be?

Post by 20129C1 »

Ok guys, here goes...My '12 has a little over 112K miles. This noise started roughly 2K miles ago and has become more pronounced as time goes on. It only seems to happen at low speeds when I'm slightly on the gas. I can only describe it as a "warbling." (is that even a word?) Here's the link. Turn up the volume! :lol:

https://youtu.be/_XzLuDr4VfY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
2007 Saudi/UAE Caprice
1993 Camaro B4C M6 Purple Pearl Metallic
1993 Camaro B4C A4 Medium Patriot Red
2013 Camaro SS M6 "Panther"
smwalker
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Re: Strange noises in the Caprice, gremlins they be?

Post by smwalker »

can you reproduce it in park?

If so mark what rpm it happens at the worse. Then take the enign to that TPM and look at the harmonic balancer.

If you cannot reproduce it in park inspect the driveline (shaft/Axles)
Steve Walker
Azusa, CA
'11 PPV 9C3 Huron White
CrashTestDummy
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Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Pearland, Texas

Re: Strange noises in the Caprice, gremlins they be?

Post by CrashTestDummy »

smwalker wrote:can you reproduce it in park?

If so mark what rpm it happens at the worse. Then take the enign to that TPM and look at the harmonic balancer.

If you cannot reproduce it in park inspect the driveline (shaft/Axles)
'enign'?

Wow, the cruise control works on these things at 20 MPH?!? It sounds like that noise is most prevalent when accelerating slightly? What mods do you have on the car, if any?
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
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20129C1
Posts: 186
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2017 4:12 pm

Re: Strange noises in the Caprice, gremlins they be?

Post by 20129C1 »

I cannot replicate the noise in park. However, it does happen for a second during a cold start up. I was able to play with it a little, & appears to happen at any speed, between 900-1400 RPMs.

That wasn't cruise control, just me lightly off & on the gas. :lol: . And no mods, bone stock.
2007 Saudi/UAE Caprice
1993 Camaro B4C M6 Purple Pearl Metallic
1993 Camaro B4C A4 Medium Patriot Red
2013 Camaro SS M6 "Panther"
CrashTestDummy
Posts: 2300
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Pearland, Texas

Re: Strange noises in the Caprice, gremlins they be?

Post by CrashTestDummy »

Okay, I see it was 'cruise on', not 'cruse engaged'.

The reason I ask about mods is that if you had added a CAI, or removed the baffled intake tube, you can get more intake sounds, which makes AFM more noticeable. Heck, even a drop-in K&N can do that if you're sensitive enough to it. Even though you don't have any modifications to the car, I'd still not rule out what you're hearing is the intake pulses from the AFM. You'd have to switch the DIC screen to the 4-cyl 8-cyl screen so you can tell if it's running in 4-cyl mode for sure. If it is, I'd bet you're just hearing that, because it sounds a LOT like it.

At lower speeds, things are a lot quieter, so that might be easier to hear. I bet it's normal.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
20129C1
Posts: 186
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2017 4:12 pm

Re: Strange noises in the Caprice, gremlins they be?

Post by 20129C1 »

Gene,

You nailed it. It appears to be switching from 4 to 8 cylinder mode when the noise is most noticeable.

And I got the cruise to work at 25 MPH. Will try 20 & report back. :lol:

Looks like I'll be doing the DOD delete sooner than later. :lol:

Thanks for the help!
2007 Saudi/UAE Caprice
1993 Camaro B4C M6 Purple Pearl Metallic
1993 Camaro B4C A4 Medium Patriot Red
2013 Camaro SS M6 "Panther"
CrashTestDummy
Posts: 2300
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Pearland, Texas

Re: Strange noises in the Caprice, gremlins they be?

Post by CrashTestDummy »

Heh, yeah, both our Caprice and Tahoe have the factory air tube replaced, and you can hear each one 'putter' as it switches from 4->8 mode. I've kind of gotten used to it, though if I ever have to go into the engine, we'll grow the cam and do a DOD-delete.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
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