Expert: Bill Cherniwchan - 2/15/2004

Question
1995 Cadillac Deville 4.9 engine with 96,000 miles. With increased engine revolutions in park, a severe rap or clunk develops on drivers side of engine near wheel area. Sometimes it appears to be behind the center of engine near firewall. At idle it doesn't appear. Once while backing up at a higher rate of speed than normal, it bumped in that area. Could this be connected with traction control or transmission?

Thanks.

Ron

Answer
Hi Ron, Because you have anti-lock brakes the engineers felt that at a certain rpm the vehicle shouldn't be in park and the job of the brake system is to make sure the wheels don't lock up. So what is happening is the brakes are trying to "unlock" while you are in park and that is the reason for the clunk/bang noise. The first time it happened to me it took me by surprise. So just make sure to keep the r's down while in park so nothing gets damaged. Bill