I recently purchased a 2012 IS 350 and this is my first car with keyless ignition. When I press the start button, and before the engine starts up, I hear a strange noise that can best be described as an electronic grinding or rattle. It only lasts for a second or so and is pretty loud. I'm wondering if this is the same sound as described in this thread or if it's abnormal and I should take it in to be seen.

Thanks in advance.

 

Sounded like a defective VTC actuator timing chain problem. I remembered there is a TSB for it and also there is a thread for this i think. do a little search and you should be able to find it.

 

The sound is coming from inside the cabin near the steering wheel or dashboard, not from the engine.

 

Do you have auto steering wheel tilt and telescoping?

 

I'm with gville, I have an IS350 with telescoping steering wheel and whenever I start the car it makes an electrical sound, like an actuator or something. The sames happens when I shut it off and open my door, the same sound happens.

I think that sound must be the locking mechanism of the steering wheel.

 

Are you sure it's not the steering lock? Makes the same noise when you turn the car off.

 

I say take it to the dealer... 2012 should still be within warranty lol

 

Almost definitely the steering lock actuator. It should make a similar sound after you turn the car off and then open the door. It's normal.

Jeff

 

when i was doing my road trip from cali to miami a couple months ago in my 2006 IS250 i noticed a sound similar to the one your describing. it only happened when it was colder outside and only on the first start. subsequent start-ups would not produce the sound. i assumed it was something to do with the electronic tilt/telescoping of my steering wheel. i'm from oklahoma so when i was saying colder i meant like 38 degrees F and colder. lol i also just got through with a 4 year tour in hawaii so my opinion on what cold is shouldn't be taken seriously i suppose.

 

I've attached a sound recording. You can hear the noise at the very beginning and end (when I open the door). Is this what others are calling the 'actuator' noise.

My steering tilt and scope appears to be manual.

Thanks all for the suggestions.

 

Sounds like the normal sound of the steering lock disengaging.

 

ok, thanks for the confirmation!

 

I too am a first time Keyless owner and had noticed the sound bbaliont talked about.

It does sound like something bad is happening as the sound almost sounds like stuff is grinding/breaking lol

Nice to know its normal.

 

Yep, normal.

 

Yep, steering lock. I didn't notice this until just before my warranty expired and took it in to the dealer. Felt like an idiot when he demonstrated it in 2 other cars which made exactly the same noise!