Kizashi Club

Hi ho.

I bought my Kizashi XL second hand back in April this year (2012) and have noticed a month or so ago a crunch noise after start up, I'll explain:

From a cold start, I start the engine. Whether I wait 30 seconds or 5 minutes after warm up it doesn't seem to matter, the noise still occurs.

I usually have to reverse out of my parking spot, but it happens regardless if I'm parallel parked, or reversed in.

I drive out, and upon correcting the steering wheel and putting my foot on the accelerator (no more than 3-5kms in speed) I hear a crunch noise and feel it through the accelerator as well. It sounds like it's coming from the bottom near the axel of the front wheel.

It won't happen again if I've driven the car for a period, whether it's 5 minutes or 40minutes. Usually only from a cold start or letting the car cool down for 20 odd minutes.

I took it to where I bought it from as it's still under warranty. I asked if the head service guy could check the steering fluid for me and he pointed to the brake fluid and said it was fine, and when I corrected him he tried to point out another part of the car and say that was it. I have several colourful words I'd like to call him, a sexist pig for one. I am no mechanic, but I know the basics.

I got him to listen to the crunch noise and he told me it was a whirring noise, and that all the Kizashi's do on startup to self test the ABS. Now, a woman I may be, but not a dumb one, a crunch and a whirring noise are two different things!

Does anyone else's do this? I will be taking it to an independent to get checked out and will fight for it to be fixed under warranty, I wanted to ask you guys! This is the first CVT I've had, an upgrade from a basic 1999 laser. At first I thought nothing of the crunch noise as I was turning out of my park and over a small branch, but the branch went and the noise was still there.

The car has done just over 36,000km so far. Hope you can help.
**Edit to add, sorry for the previous double post, was on a new netbook, and buggered it up

Mines doesnt do this but it doesnt sound good, i had some issues with mine earlier on. Keep in mind its technically the mechanics job at suzuki to find a way to prove it isnt a warranty issue so not believing some of their shit is the best thing you can do. With my issues I called some regional Suzuki guy (called my dealer and asked for a number of someone higher up in the food chain) and he said it was ok to get another mechanic to inspect the car so long as they didnt do any work on it. In my case I had a pressure test on my radiator, so id suggest calling your guys, say you want a second opinion and then get that mechanic to give you a detailed report and show your service centre. Hopefully they find the problem as they arent concerned with having to pay out the warranty work. If you have the extended warranty they can't do any work on the car but inspecting it should be fine.

Hope this helps, sorry to hear your issues. Where in aus are you from?

Thanks for the suggestion, will give that a whirl. I didn't get the extended warranty, I think the standard warranty runs out in either April or around May 2013.
I'm from Wollongong (NSW) originally, just moved to Campbelltown (NSW).

Well in that case just take it to a different mechanic, without the extended warranty your allowed to have work done by approved mechanics (may want to ask that aswell but im 98% sure)

Thats interesting, theres another used on here from cambelltown recently! Seems more owners are popping up on the forum from around Sydney! Im from Hornsby myself.




***addition- Sorry, just realised you said youd be taking it to an independant, i dont know how i missed that the first time i read it:/

Kizzy Cat...the mechanic was somewhat correct in that the ABS system does perform some type of test/exercise upon initial roll-out. And yes, it resembles a quick 'crunch' sound. My car does this frequently, however, the sound eminates more from the passenger side. Actually, I'd be concerned now if I didn't hear this sound. There was a discussion on here some time ago regarding this noise, and IIRC the masses have deemed it normal. Of course, I'd have to hear it for myself to be 100% certain it is the same sound, but as long as it behaves consistently as you've indicated, I wouldn't worry about it unless it becomes constant or repeats itself at all different times, especially while driving. A second opinion from a different mechanic, possibly a reputable Suzuki dealer, is sound advice as well.

Thanks guys, good to hear Ron. As I drive on the right hand side Ron, perhaps this marries up, if you're in the states and you're hearing it from your passenger side (my driving side).

Thanks, eases my mind a little, I think I was more annoyed that the service department guy was trying to tell me the brake fluid reservoir was the steering fluid. Bugger eh!

Stop being sad and be awesome lol love it.

And yes its very disturbing when u hear ur tech say something like... "they fixed that on the kizashi aftter the 2009 model" (2010 was the first one?)

It could be the ABS system doing the self test on drive off. All ABS cars seem to do it and the timing of when it happens certainly matches up with when the system does it's test.

Are you in the NRMA? You could take it to them for further investigation if you're worried.

ipaqxman wrote:And yes its very disturbing when u hear ur tech say something like... "they fixed that on the kizashi aftter the 2009 model" (2010 was the first one?)

It was released in 09 in Australia. about august I think, not too many MY09 but they're around