Transmission or Torque Convertor?? Stupid noise driving me nuts

[jucytec]

Car: TSX 05 AT @ 73,000 miles

Problem: Rattle noise that fades in and out at 3 second intervals ONLY in Neutral and Park. In other words, this rattling noise fades in from being dead quiet to distinct rattle then fades out to quiet every 3 seconds. Again, this happens ONLY in Neutral and Park. (oh and sometimes as I'm coming to a stop just once, and it goes away)

Sound: sounds like marbles bouncing on a metal plate. The second i'm out of Park or Neural, the sound goes away entirely.

Location of Sound: Loudest where Driver side wheel is, BUT I have not lifted up the car to find its Exact location.

I'm read and researched for some time now, people have suggested, Torque Converter Problem? Flex Plate Problem, Loose bolt some where? a loose heat shield.

Any Acura Techs on this forum? I'm trying to pinpoint the issue as it has been driving me nuts for some time now.

I have no gear slippage and transmission flaws during my drive.

[hobieron]

Sounds like an exhast shield is loose. The three seconds is the beat frequency between the natural frequency of whatever is rattling and some vibration frequency that the engine generates at idle. It might also be part of the shift linkage is making contact with something it shouldn't only in park or neutral.

[simonster]

I actually have this same problem too, and im almost positive its a loose shield. Its driving me nuts so im gonna take it to the dealership soon, ill let you know what the exact problem is.

[jucytec]

any news???

[simonster]

Originally Posted by jucytec

any news???

Yea sorry forgot to respond. Went to the dealer Friday, its the cat converter heat shield. Paid $50 for them to yank it off (kinda overpriced but I was lazy)