Every morning and never again on that same day my TJ 3.5 auto sedan makes a strange and worrying noise.
The car has to stand for hours and so far I have not been able to get the noise to repeat, except on the first start up each day (and the noise is there each and every day upon first start up). There is no noise until I shift into gear (Reverse or Drive). When I shift to Park or Neutral the noise goes away, only to reappear on going back to R or D. This makes me think it is transmission or load related. If I leave the car idling in R or D, the noise lessens gradually and goes away after about 2 minutes or less. Alternatively about 6 shifts between Park and Reverse or between Neutral and Drive the noise is gone. If I drive off immediately, the noise is drowned by engine and other sounds, but after driving less than 50 metres down the road, stopping and shifting between P and R or between N and D there is no manifestation of this noise. It does not appear to be affected by power steering or aircon. Ideas please.

I would say check you transmission fluid or get yourself a transmission flush.

I reckon that'd be the safest bet and first point of call..

SuFz

Every morning and never again on that same day my TJ 3.5 auto sedan makes a strange and worrying noise.
The car has to stand for hours and so far I have not been able to get the noise to repeat, except on the first start up each day (and the noise is there each and every day upon first start up). There is no noise until I shift into gear (Reverse or Drive). When I shift to Park or Neutral the noise goes away, only to reappear on going back to R or D. This makes me think it is transmission or load related. If I leave the car idling in R or D, the noise lessens gradually and goes away after about 2 minutes or less. Alternatively about 6 shifts between Park and Reverse or between Neutral and Drive the noise is gone. If I drive off immediately, the noise is drowned by engine and other sounds, but after driving less than 50 metres down the road, stopping and shifting between P and R or between N and D there is no manifestation of this noise. It does not appear to be affected by power steering or aircon. Ideas please.

Can you describe this noise? There are many that could be described as worrying... Thumping? Crunching? Grinding? Groaning? Rebecca Black?

Have just invested in a TW.
It makes 'funny' noises too.
My guess is that the 'tensioner' is the problem. In my case it is engine speed related but when in gear and driving. Certainly seems to be in the engine. When the car starts, ther eis rattling and clanging of a light rattly noisy nature.
Reading the Mits Manual about timing belts says' The tensioners are highly accurate, delicately made, precision components, needing full TLC. My gut feeling is that mine need to be given loads of TLC at the next belt change at 200,000 Km.
There's lots of talk in this forum about engine noise and tensioners and what they do and dont do. Is your problem a tensioner problem? I think likely.
rumpfy.

Someone who knows Magnas needs to listen to the noise in person to identify the noise.

Have just invested in a TW.
. When the car starts, ther eis rattling and clanging of a light rattly noisy nature.

Do the TW models have the dreaded exhaust Y piece rattle?

Can you describe this noise? There are many that could be described as worrying... Thumping? Crunching? Grinding? Groaning? Rebecca Black?

Yes what is it like?
And LOL @ friday

Transmission fluid is replaced every 20 000km and was last done 5000km ago. Have had transmission cooler fitted for years. Not likely to be timing belt or tensioner as both were done 5000km ago. I know the dreaded tensioner noise and it does not sound like that. My best description of the noise is 2 parts rubbing together, one being a thin metal plate and they are not held tightly together, so the rubbing is not hard one up against the other, but they rub and separate as the rotation happens. Sounds a bit like a ratlle. Have checked belts, pulleys etc. Loading belts up (turning highbeams, aircon on) makes no difference. Thanks for your input guys.