I have a 2004 Nissan Maxima SL. When I accelerate I hear a grinding/screeching noise. It kind of hard to explain. When I let off the gas I don't hear anymore. The only time is when I am accelerating. Do you know what is causing this?

Hi there,

The sound you hear, is it a whining, popping, grinding, scraping or rattling sound?
If you drive a manual transmission vehicle and notice a grinding noise, it can indicate the clutch gear is no longer disengaging correctly.

Change the whole valve body assembly if it hasn't been done already. These vehicles are known to have shoddy valve bodies from the factory. The plastic and rubber parts inside the valve body warp over time, causing all kinds of error codes and driveability issues. This is one part you don't want to skimp on, because the rest of the transmission is actually quite stout.

The starter doesn't spin? Do you hear a click (when you try to start the engine) from the starter area maybe?

Sounds like the starter is not meshing with the flywheel. New starter or new ring gear- maybe both if it's been going on for a while. Good luck!!

Sounds like you have a wheel bearing going out. Try swerving car left to rt on a straight road with NO traffic. If the noise is louder one way and less or gone the other it's a wheel bearing

Hi Lisa,is this noise louder when accelerating and turning the steering wheel? I would guess you have a worn out constant velocity joint.

it is very common that when the brakes are repaired the dust shield gets bent, Jack the car up and support it remove the wheel and spin the rotor and listen for the grinding noise. this will take a few rotations. Also since some times it is a revolution related noise, you may want ot inspect around the dust shield and visually confirm that it is not contacting the rotor.

My friends car does this. Sounds like the grim reaper. Anyway, you belt is probably loose or you have a bearing going out. Have your belt checked out.

Submit the scan results from the OBD-II system. If you don't know what that is, go to Autozone for a free scan or another auto parts store for a free/paid scan and submit the findings for help in solving this one.

I have personally seen a lot of wheel bearings go bad on these vehicles. If you hear the noise get more pronounced when turning left, the right front (passenger side) bearing is most likely the culprit- if turning right, it would be the left front (driver side) bearing.

Hope this is helpful!!


Nissan Scope Technician- 10+ years experience in Nissan dealership