stemirra

When I start my 01 ls430 w/ 123k after it has rested overnight in the garage sometimes I hear one quick pop noise moments after starting the car (WHILE STILL IN PARK). It happens about once a week. Just does it only once per occourance. If I turn the car off and restart it will not do it again. There is no sagging in the suspension and no other related issues to explain it. Has anyone heard this too? I susppect if I had to guess a brake booster charging up, or suspension bag re-seating itself upon inflation or headlight projector stuck when trying to move or AC compressor clutch engaging but it does not happen often enough to locate it. It is worying me as I know it is not normal and may be an indication of an upcoming problem/expense. It is not too loud from inside the car but the car is so well sound insulated that it is grobably good and loud if heard from outside.

Any thoughs?

RA40

iTrader: (6)

For the next several first starts, open the hood and stand outside while somebody else starts the car up. Are you sure it is from the outside or engine bay or inside?

Factory or aftermarket audio system? Are you leaving the audio system on when the car is shut off? Shut the audio system off. This shouldn't be a issue, I'm wondering if there is something going on with an amp that is sending a signal to a speaker.

stemirra

Thanks for the thought. It is definitely from outside the car in the front end. I do have the ml sound system but I always shut it off. Any more thoughts?

LEX ES300

Hi,

I used to hear a small popping sound similar to what you describe on my Lexus ES300 when I used to own one (I have a LS430 now and haven't heard that noise).

I cant be 100% sure, but I reckon it was when the airconditioning was turned to recirculate/recycle the air vent valve inside the airconditioning would switch over when I started the engine from a cold start and make a small pop sound as it closed or something similar to that - ie air pressure starts to flow through the tubes and makes the valve pop shut.

Try playing with or turning off the AC settings and see if its that.

Slvr surfr

iTrader: (1)

It may be the cats, exhaust componets and heat sheilds warming up. They do tend pop and creak when they are cold.