"Clunk" caused by VDC Diagnostic at Start-Up
 

So I was doing some homework on the VDC system and came across something in the Owner's Manual I found interesting.

In section 5-27 it says:

The VDC system computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that tests the system each time you start the engine and move the vehicle at low speed forward or backward. When the self-test occurs, you may hear a "clunk" noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal and is not an indication of a malfunction.

Has anyone else heard or wondered what the "clunk" was?

Everytime i drive off i heard something. Never knew what it was. Happened in my gto also.

This also happens in my G35 but I thought it was the abs system.

I only hear (and feel) a clunk on clutch engagement in 1st gear.........

Not sure about VDC but as stated before I know ABS systems often do this.

There are a ton of posts about the clunk. It is not the VDC IMO, but rather play in the drive train. It is a metal on metal sound and I had it fixed a year ago, but came back recently.

That's not it drive train i think. i had an 05 and know a 09 both AT
every time i went from park to reverse i would hear a slight click.
of course nissan said it was normal.

I turn off VDC. I have no clunk. I do get the clunk when I have VDC on.

Anyone who doesn't believe it is VDC, feel free to test it out yourself. My clunk doesn't exist, because my VDC is always turned off at startup.