# Strange noise

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise/52125>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** focus, ford\
**Created:** [July 19, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise/52125 "2010-07-19T18:37:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![now\_that\_makes\_sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9bcb4/32.png) [@now\_that\_makes\_sense](https://community.cartalk.com/u/now_that_makes_sense)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise/52125/1 "2010-07-19T18:37:32Z")

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I have a 2004 Ford Focus (automatic transmission) with 106,000 miles that makes a rattling sound when I am going under 10 mph. It is really bad when I am stopped at lights and when I back out of parking spaces. If I’m stopped at a light and it is making the rattle, I put the car into park and the noise stops. As soon as I put it back into drive (and have the brake applied) the noise starts back up again. Any thoughts or ideas??

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**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:** [July 19, 2010, 7:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise/52125/2 "2010-07-19T19:46:11Z")

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Check for a loose exhaust heat shield.

Tester

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**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise/52125/3 "2010-07-19T19:58:09Z")

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And check the automatic belt tensioner for the serpentine belt.

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**Author:** ![now\_that\_makes\_sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9bcb4/32.png) [@now\_that\_makes\_sense](https://community.cartalk.com/u/now_that_makes_sense)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 12:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise/52125/4 "2010-07-20T00:04:59Z")

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Yeah, that’s what we were thinking too.

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**Author:** ![now\_that\_makes\_sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9bcb4/32.png) [@now\_that\_makes\_sense](https://community.cartalk.com/u/now_that_makes_sense)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-noise/52125/5 "2010-07-20T00:05:13Z")

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Thanks–will do!