Just purchased a used 2015 Honda Fit EX-L and excited to be part of the Fit fam ✨

Directly after starting my little Fit in the morning, I will almost always hear a weird sound – almost grinding like, but I could also describe it as a fan-like or something just catching/rubbing wrong.

• Issue only happens on a cold start.
• Noise is directly AFTER the vehicle starts
• I live in a warmer climate (San Francisco Bay Area)

I've heard that some compact, newer vehicles will have a strange sound right after the starter engages and it's due to one component simply touching another as it gets going. Nothing too crazy. Why I ask is that the vehicle is still under warranty with the dealership, but the dealership is hella far, so if this is normal, I would honestly rather not drive all the way there and then be stranded.

I previously drove a 2003 Honda Civic (Jules) for ten years and really knew every noise that car made. New noises on a much more tech-saavy vehicle are stressing me out. TIA.

 

Search for VTC actuator.

 

Is it this sound?
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/gene...-attached.html

As previously mentioned, the actuator is a common cause for cold start noise.

E

 

I must've gotten caught on an older thread where they weren't sure, so thank you so much for your help! This is exactly what's happening to me as well.

 

They're correct - VTC Actuator: https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/3rd-...art-noise.html

 

keep this sticky thread on file, for the next time you hear funny noises or smell smelly smells, or see .... lots of lights light up on your dash

https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/3rd-...nce-guide.html

 

If your car is still under warranty (powertrain 4 years/50K miles) take it to the dealer and have them diagnose/repair under warranty. You will most likely need to leave it overnight so the engine is completely cooled off to replicate the sound. Good luck, we just had ours fixed under warranty for free a few months back. It may help if you try to capture the sound on video and show it to the service adviser. I didn't have to. Don't be too scared if they say they will charge you 1 hour for diagnostic, you won't have to pay it if it's covered under warranty.

 

Powertrain warranty is actually 5 years/60k

https://automobiles.honda.com/fit/warranty

 

I'm having this problem but it's so random - the dealer hasn't been able to hear it yet.

 

At least take it in and get it documented on the service record

 

Dang it, I thought I'd be able to just ignore the sound that only happens about once every 8 or so cold starts. What a pain dealing with dealerships on a consistent problem, let alone a very intermittent problem. On top of that, I read that even replacing the actuator, it's likely to come back anyway. I just wonder if it's left alone, does the actuator actually cause a problem in the whole scheme of things besides hearing the noise?

 

@robot From what I understand, the initial issue was that replacing just curbed the sound for a while, but they've made an update to the part recently that should provide a fix? I'm not 100% on this, however.

Update on my end – the car was purchased used (117k miles), but came with the AutoNation Limited Warranty for 90 Days. I FINALLY got an appointment on the 90th day and had them open that service ticket immediately. I didn't have my car for three days, but they replaced everything under the warranty with no issues. Bill for parts+labor was $1,798 – oh, dealerships ��$0 for me though! ��

 

Scotty Kilmer's comment on VTC actuator problem in a Honda Accord at about the 1:30 mark:


His comment pretty much agrees with what I've heard elsewhere in that there's no need to get it fixed if you can put up with the noise. However, if you are still under warranty I would recommend fixing it because the noise could get worse over time and once you are off warranty it is very painful to pay for this. As far as the noise coming back if you replace it that's unlikely with the new design VTC actuator. A lot of early replacements though were done by simply putting in another old VTC actuator since the redesign wasn't available. Then yeah, the noise will probably come back.

 

That advice helped me a lot. It is still under warranty and I'll give the dealer a call.

 

I did bring it to the dealer. Since I had an extended warranty it was covered. Had to leave it there several days but they gave me a new Fit automatic to drive in the meantime. Even though it was in not that cold the next morning (maybe around 50) they said it made the noise. They replaced the VCT Actuator and the parts needed to get to it, like gaskets and o-rings.

The service guy said even with the noise it likely was not causing damage but the noise would get worse with time. Anyway, I'm glad I got it done, much thanks to all of you. Oh, there wasn't even a typical $50 copay. Didn't charge me a thing.