Zambezi_Zelda Posted November 29, 2017 Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 My 2014 C-MAX Hybrid recently began making this loud sound that seems to be coming from the inverter. Does anyone know how to fix this or is the inverter shot? Check video for audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00wLT2mRXMQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cr08 Posted November 30, 2017 Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 Got quite a number of questions for you: What is the status of the car at the point this happens? On? Is the engine running? Does this happen constantly even after driving a bit? Or does it only happen when first starting? As much situational info you can provide would be helpful. Might also be beneficial to borrow/rent a mechanics stethoscope and verify exactly where the noise is coming from. With the various parts in that area it could be coming from a few places. Worst case if it is indeed the inverter it should be covered under the hybrid warranty which is, at minimum is 8yr/100k mi. ptjones and obob 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted November 30, 2017 Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 I'm thinking Transmission, the inverter doesn't have anything to make noise. Does it make noise when you first start it? Try putting it in neutral, does it only happen when the ICE is on? Need more info. :) If you aren't passed the 100k miles Ford should fix it. Paul obob and kyledamron1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambezi_Zelda Posted November 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 Got quite a number of questions for you: What is the status of the car at the point this happens? On? Is the engine running? Does this happen constantly even after driving a bit? Or does it only happen when first starting? As much situational info you can provide would be helpful. Might also be beneficial to borrow/rent a mechanics stethoscope and verify exactly where the noise is coming from. With the various parts in that area it could be coming from a few places. Worst case if it is indeed the inverter it should be covered under the hybrid warranty which is, at minimum is 8yr/100k mi. It only makes the noise when the ICE is running and mostly at lower speeds. It does happen regardless of how long the car has been running. However, I rarely hear it when I am travelling at higher speeds (ie. Highway Speeds). What other parts are down in that area that could be making that noise while only while the ICE is running? I'm thinking Transmission, the inverter doesn't have anything to make noise. Does it make noise when you first start it? Try putting it in neutral, does it only happen when the ICE is on? Need more info. :) If you aren't passed the 100k miles Ford should fix it. Paul I am doubtful it is the transmission because it even does in in park or neutral. It does only do it when the ICE is running. When the ICE isn't running, the car is super quiet both while driving or parked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted November 30, 2017 Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 I'm thinking ICE then, didn't say how many miles you have, but I would take it to FORD. :headscratch:Good Luck Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambezi_Zelda Posted November 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 I'm thinking ICE then, didn't say how many miles you have, but I would take it to FORD. :headscratch:Good Luck Paul Sorry, I forgot to mention the mileage. I am currently just under 90k. Hopefully it is not the ICE since that is no longer under warranty. The car runs great, the noise is just annoying. I am still leaning towards the inverter. I will have to get a mechanics stethoscope so that I can get a better listen to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obob Posted December 1, 2017 Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 (edited) Might also be beneficial to borrow/rent a mechanics stethoscope and verify exactly where the noise is coming from. With the various parts in that area it could be coming from a few places. Using a big screwdriver/makeshift stethoscope to listen to different places to see if the sound has an epicenter. (Put ear to handle while metal part is at different points with the longness allowing reach for hard to reach spots. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=using+a+screwdriver+as+a+stethoscope+to+find+noise Here's one that does the job quickly. Start at 1:20 Edited December 1, 2017 by obob cr08 and ptjones 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambezi_Zelda Posted December 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 I purchased a mechanics stethoscope today and upon checking this afternoon, I believe I may have found where the noise is coming from. Now I just have to figure out what the part is called. It is hard to get a good look at the part without taking some stuff loose. In the picture below, I have drawn an arrow pointing to where the noise seems to originate. Does anyone have any clue what part this may be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted December 1, 2017 Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 What does the black cable next to it go to.? Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambezi_Zelda Posted December 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 What does the black cable next to it go to.? Paul I actually was able to snap a picture of where the cable connects. Here it is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambezi_Zelda Posted December 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 Here is another picture of the area in question. When I placed my stethoscope on that screw on top of the black bracket (or the bracket itself) is when I the noise sounded the loudest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted December 1, 2017 Report Share Posted December 1, 2017 I just looked at my car and it is the Trans that is connected to the cable. Time to replace the Trans. :drop: Take it to a FORD Dealer that has done several of these so someone doesn't have to learn on your car. Paul obob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cr08 Posted December 2, 2017 Report Share Posted December 2, 2017 (edited) Yep. That cable is the shift linkage and what you're pointing to is definitely the transmission. Get it into the dealer to look at. Based on the noise, that is extremely obvious and hard for them to avoid. Good news is it SHOULD be covered under the hybrid warranty. Edited December 2, 2017 by cr08 ptjones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah Harbinger Posted August 14, 2018 Report Share Posted August 14, 2018 It's too bad people post these problems and then never come back to say anything about the resolution! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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