# Groaning noise in 1999 V-6 Honda

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/groaning-noise-in-1999-v-6-honda/68388>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** accord, honda\
**Created:** [October 3, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/groaning-noise-in-1999-v-6-honda/68388 "2011-10-03T19:22:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![peterwatsonus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecae2f/32.png) [@peterwatsonus](https://community.cartalk.com/u/peterwatsonus)\
**Post date:** [October 3, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/groaning-noise-in-1999-v-6-honda/68388/1 "2011-10-03T19:22:44Z")

</div>

My 1999 V-6 Accord has always emitted a 1-2 second soft groan from under the hood each time I start it (esp. cold) after I move it about 10-15 feet, forward or reverse. This happens whether I warm it up for 2-5 minutes or move off immediately. Any ideas what this might be?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [October 3, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/groaning-noise-in-1999-v-6-honda/68388/2 "2011-10-03T19:28:16Z")

</div>

The groaning noise might be coming from the ABS pump mounted on the right front fender. The ABS will run a self-test each time the vehicle is started to make sure that the ABS is working. That’s what happens when the wife starts her 97 Accord.

Tester

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [October 3, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/groaning-noise-in-1999-v-6-honda/68388/3 "2011-10-03T20:38:42Z")

</div>

+1

The noise that the OP describes is consistent with the sound emitted by the ABS pump when it does its self-test shortly after putting the car into gear. While I can’t guarantee that the Owner’s Manual describes this noise, I would be very surprised if it did not discuss this normal situation.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [October 3, 2011, 10:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/groaning-noise-in-1999-v-6-honda/68388/4 "2011-10-03T22:26:48Z")

</div>

Either that or the family of rodents living under the hood gets annoyed every time you disturb them.

I’d put my money on the ABS pump though.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![peterwatsonus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecae2f/32.png) [@peterwatsonus](https://community.cartalk.com/u/peterwatsonus)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/groaning-noise-in-1999-v-6-honda/68388/5 "2011-10-08T00:20:36Z")

</div>

I often had mice living under the air cleaner of my 83 Camry, but I think Tester and VDCdriver are right about the groan being the ABS testing itself. Thanks a lot, guys, I’m relieved.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/groaning-noise-in-1999-v-6-honda/68388/6 "2011-10-08T00:28:13Z")

</div>

I only notice it when I move forward I my 2005 Accord V6. I back up 50 feet from my house to the road, then move forward. That’s when I hear it. By the time I’m at 10 to 15 MPH, it has stopped.
