Q: AC rattling and Alignment Check Gauge Light coming on.
Check Gauge Light comes on when tachometer reaches between 2000 and 2200 RPMs. I also noticed a rattling sound when the AC is on.
Based on your question I believe that you are having an issue with the serpentine belt tensioner on your truck. The serpentine belt is on the front of the engine and drives all the accessories attached to the engine. This includes the a/c compressor, water pump, alternator and power steering pump. It is possible that your belt tensioner has failed. This will cause a rattle sound under certain conditions and could cause the belt to slip which could stop the alternator from charging the battery. If this occurs, this will make the check gauges light to come on and alert the driver that there is a problem. I would keep an eye on your battery charge indicator and water temp gauge to avoid any issues until you can ask for help from a mechanic.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
Advice on buying an O3 Hummer H3
Yes they do. I have a lot of customers that have had them go bad, and usually it was before 100,000 miles. Don't buy the Hummer. They have all kinds of problems. That's one of the reasons they stopped making...
Does the engine need to be lifted forward in order to replace the oil pan gasket?
Hi there, thanks for writing in. The oil pan is clear to be removed without lifting the motor. The original pan gasket is riveted to the pan. The new gasket does not need to be riveted on to pan for...
The car starts, but when I hit the gas the check engine light blinks & it feels like I don't get much power, sometimes smell gas.
Hello. A flashing Check Engine Light is an indicator that the computer has detected an issue with the vehicle's engine management system that could potentially cause harm to the emissions system. Continuing to drive with a flashing Check Engine Light...
brake rubbing noise
The problem is that you had the brake rotors resurfaced and the pads were not replaced. The old pads surface was not flat when the rotor surface was resurfaced. The raised parts of the pads wore into the rotors first...
When I turn ignition on no power anywhere. No turnover or crank. Lights don't come on.
Hello there, many faults will cause your 1987 Chevrolet Camaro to not start or have any power. The most common faults are the battery (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-replacement), battery cable (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-cable-replacement), ignition switch, battery terminal (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-terminal-ends-replacement), or a wiring harness fault. If the...
Is my mechanic responsible for engine damage?
Hi there. I have a few questions for us to ponder as we probe this concern. Did the vehicle overheat since the repair? Is the vehicle currently overheating? Is the check engine light on? If so, what are the stored...
When backing up, my car makes a rocking noise.
The noise is the parking brakes are out of adjustment and the brakes are dragging. Check the rear brakes and see if they are releasing when going in reverse. If you need further assistance with your brake system (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/parking-emergency-brake-does-not-work-inspection), then...
Replaced water pump, radiator and thermostat car is still overheating. What can it be?
I'm sorry to hear about your overheating issues. There are a few possibilities that can cause an engine to overheat (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-overheating-inspection). The radiator, water pump, and thermostat are definite possibilities, but there are a few others that are possible also....
Idle rough
There are a number of things that may cause a rough idle. A rough idle (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-idle-is-rough-inspection) may be caused by things such as low fuel pressure, low voltage to the fuel injectors, dirty fuel injectors, a vacuum leak, a faulty...
Related articles
How Long Should It Take a Heater to Warm Up in Cold Weather
When When you turn on your car’s heater, it should start blowing warm air. If the engine is already at operating temperature, this should happen immediately. However, if your engine is cold, it will take longer and if the weather...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're Towing a Boat
If If you’re towing a boat, the vehicle that you buy is largely going to depend on the size and weight of your boat plus trailer. Most cars, realistically, aren’t cut out for the job. We recommend a pickup truck...
How Long Does an AC Control Module Last?
Over Over the past decade, vehicles have become far more electronic than they are mechanical, with numerous computers on board that control various functions. Your AC control module is one such computer, and it works to manage the air conditioning...
Browse other content
Estimates
Maintenance