Is anyone geting this noise when moving the gimbal up and down? It sounds almost springy/metallic. Should this be a reason to return the Phantom?

I've tried contacting DJI about the issue and haven't heard back (big surprise there)
Here's a video of the noise

None of the P4's I have felt do that. Have you taken off from dirt or sand?

No, only dry pavement. It made this sound out of the box.

Marcello Romano Posted at 2016-3-21 17:38
No, only dry pavement. It made this sound out of the box.

Same with mine. I noticed it right out of the box too. Gimbal seems to function fine though and IMU and gimbal calibrate just fine. What about the clicking noise like static coming out from speakers whenever the P4 is turned on too? Is that normal?

DanielMyst777 Posted at 2016-3-22 08:42
Same with mine. I noticed it right out of the box too. Gimbal seems to function fine though and IM ...

Yes, it is normal. That sound comes from the ultrasonics in the VPS system.

Mine makes this sound too, right out of the box.

Mine makes a similar sound which to me seems to be the ribbon. No worries, as long as it works fine it's good.

edbighi@gmail.c Posted at 2016-3-21 17:33
Mine makes a similar sound which to me seems to be the ribbon. No worries, as long as it works fine  ...

Yeah I am not going to worry about it. Works fine.

I'd be worried about long term affects if it were the ribbon chafing - I was forever replacing Kenwood car radio motorised fascia ribbons due to chafing issues. I've not got a Phantom 4 yet but looking at some photos it would seem that the ribbon cable is quite close to the camera body shell itself but unsure if it's close enough to brush against it.

Geebax Posted at 2016-3-21 23:26
Yes, it is normal. That sound comes from the ultrasonics in the VPS system.

Puhh, man, I am amazed about your answer here "ultrasonics in the VPS system"...

Thacyoon Posted at 2016-3-23 11:53
Puhh, man, I am amazed about your answer here "ultrasonics in the VPS system"...

I was answering his question:

'What about the clicking noise like static coming out from speakers whenever the P4 is turned on too? Is that normal?"

davidson_g Posted at 2016-3-22 11:42
I'd be worried about long term affects if it were the ribbon chafing - I was forever replacing Kenwo ...

It is not visibly touching the external ribbon cable, the sound is coming from inside the gimbal arm

Jkeller84 Posted at 2016-3-22 18:19
It is not visibly touching the external ribbon cable, the sound is coming from inside the gimbal a ...

Are you getting a metallic clicking sound like in the video?

Marcello Romano Posted at 2016-3-22 18:44
Are you getting a metallic clicking sound like in the video?

It's not really a metallic sound to me, but yes mine is making that sound. Sounds like a a ribbon cable internally is rubbing.

Lots of other reports of this on other forums as well. Again, I am not worried too much about it but it would be good for DJI to look into what it is.

My has a squeak noise, but I believe it is electronically generated not mechanical. I get it everytime I turn on the P4, right at the end of the gimble gyrations. Also if I pickup the P4 and twist it around, I hear it. And if I hold it in an extreme position, the gimble does a repeating squeak squeak squeak. Others have report the same issue.

But I have not heard that mechanical clicking sound on your video.

gswilder Posted at 2016-3-23 13:46
My has a squeak noise, but I believe it is electronically generated not mechanical. I get it everyti ...

'But I have not heard that mechanical clicking sound on your video.'

You won't either. The only time it appears is when someone is shooting the Phantom with another camera that has a microphone. It is the Ultrasonic transceivers used for ranging, they must have a component of the frequency that is detectable by the camera's microphone, but too high for your ears to hear.

I hear the same noise on mine also but I have seen no evidence in the ribbon being touched by the camera. I would guess it is normal.

The back of the camera is completely clearing the black ribbon behind it, this sound is coming from within the gimbal arm.

If anyone hears from DJI about this would you be so kind to share on this thread? I really don't want to have to send it in for repairs if it won't impact the function of the gimbal/camera.

Jkeller84 Posted at 2016-3-23 01:19
It is not visibly touching the external ribbon cable, the sound is coming from inside the gimbal a ...

I wonder if DJI coils the ribbon cable in the camera gimbal hub like a mechanical clock spring and the twisting action is causing the ribbon to creak as it coils/uncoils against itself.  Some laptops use a coiled ribbon setup in the display hinges to try and extend the ribbon life but it still remained a point of weakness.

In the P3 they appear to have the ribbon coiled twice around the camera gimbal mount before it enters into the camera housing.
I've not yet seen any P4 gimbal teardowns; I'd love to see how they've done it.

I have the same sound on my P4. It is usual and it doesn't influence the normal operation of the gimbal

DJI-Tim Posted at 2016-3-23 10:18
I have the same sound on my P4. It is usual and it doesn't influence the normal operation of the gim ...

I sent DJI a movie of my P4 which was making the same noise.  They have requested that I return it, which I have done already.  Bought a replacement from Apple and it make the same noise but not as pronounced.

Tim if it is normal then surely everyone would be hearing?

rditc Posted at 2016-3-29 02:58
I sent DJI a movie of my P4 which was making the same noise.  They have requested that I return it ...

This  sound is normal. I've just checked 3 phantoms , all  of them have this sound.

DJI-Tim Posted at 2016-3-29 11:29
This  sound is normal. I've just checked 3 phantoms , all  of them have this sound.

When i turn the phantom 4 it make a gimbal noise i try to calibrate and it fails to many times you can see it in the attach video and another thing the camera is not straight it stays side ways this is normal??
check video

http://youtu.be/b3uaKGKgVRQ

I just exchanged my first P4 at apple for a new one due to weird noises coming from the aircraft. My new P4 is making the gimbal clicking noise . My first one did not make this sound. I guess if its not one thing its another... oh well. Works fine but disappointed about the noise. Something about it just annoys me. Argh! :@

agilarmanuel Posted at 2016-3-30 14:36
When i turn the phantom 4 it make a gimbal noise i try to calibrate and it fails to many times you  ...

That one is not normal! You will have to send it in for repair

Can someone please post the "normal" noise?  The original video has been removed.  Thanks

Mine does the same thing too.

Is there a clip somewhere that I can listen to?  Mine makes a squeak noise at the end of start up...
Thanks...

My first Phantom3 had that ribbon cable noise when you moved the gimbal with your hands without powering it on. This model always had jello effect and gimbal overload messages. They replaced it and the new one had no ribbon noise and no jello at all. So i guess this count for the P4 as well, maybe the ribbon cable is not perfectly installed and that cable give a slight amount of resistance

I have the gimbal noise as well. Not happy with it. Probably something that needs to be fixed by DJI.

Hi, Sorry for bad quality video, but  does anyone can confirm is this sound from my gimbal is normal or not  (sound is in 12s)



sometimes this sound is not only at startup but when gimbal working

Thanks for help ...

mariusz@lbh.pl Posted at 2016-4-18 08:12
Hi, Sorry for bad quality video, but  does anyone can confirm is this sound from my gimbal is normal ...

I have the same noise at every start up.  No noise while operating.  Thanks for the video.  I too, would like to know if this is considered "normal".

I got a second P4 today and this one has the gimble startup noise. My other one didn't. But it did make that noise after a calibration. Do I need to return it?

Hello everybody,

Thanks to youtube, I found this vidéo about "how to fix the clicking sound from the gimbal of the Phantom 4.

However, I have a brand new Phantom 4 with the a little noise during startup coming maybe coming from the gimbal like in this video .

Is it normal? I don't want to return my P4

Best regards and fly safe

mariusz@lbh.pl Posted at 2016-4-18 23:12
Hi, Sorry for bad quality video, but  does anyone can confirm is this sound from my gimbal is normal ...

same as mine? we would like to know if it is normal and needs to be returned or not?

I dont know yet too But  many peoples has many problems with their  phantom's, my phantom works great except this nise, so I think I will not return - I dont want have new troubles with new phantom ...

DJI-Ken Posted at 2016-3-21 23:30
None of the P4's I have felt do that. Have you taken off from dirt or sand?

I am sorry but I do have to disagree with you... I bought one, that made this scratching sound when intialising and I checked 4 others in the store before I found one which made this sound only slightly....