Q: Chirping sound when idling
I think the serpentine belt is making a noise. It sounds like a chirping sound that goes away when the car is moving, but returns when I idle.
Recommended Services
| Serpentine/Drive Belt Replacement | $111.60 - $349.96 | Get a Quote |
It is possible that the belt has become stretched, and when the engine is running at lower RPMs such as idle, the belt will slip on the pulleys, causing the noise you are hearing. When the RPMs rise, due to the crankshaft pulley spinning faster, the belt is unable to slip because the extra speed takes up the slack in the belt. I would recommend having your serpentine belt system inspected by a certified mechanic. If any pulleys or the belt tensioner are damaged, have them replaced with the belt to ensure the system is operating correctly.
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
How do I check the engine coolant level?
Checking the engine coolant level is very important. Regular checks and maintenance is a good habit to get into over the life of the vehicle. To check the coolant level. Inspect to see that the coolant level reaches the Cold...
What does the Air Bag Warning Light mean?
The Air Bag Warning light is located on the instrument panel. When the light is illuminated, there is a problem with the air bag system and the vehicle should be inspected or repaired as soon as possible. Tip Like all...
Starter and catalytic converter failure
Hello. From what you describe it seems that your vehicle has more than one issue. Oil in the intake is usually caused by a dirty or clogged positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-positive-crankcase-ventilation-pcv-valve) or system. I would check to make...
Oil light flashes when I push brakes
Hello. You don't indicate the mileage on your vehicle, but a high mileage or poorly maintained or abused engine could have low oil pressure from worn connecting rod or crankshaft main bearings or a clogged oil pump pickup screen. It...
I accidentally got synthetic oil instead of regular motor oil and only put in quart and a half. Will it mess up my engine?
Hi there. Today's synthetic oils are much different than in years past, so accidental mixing like you've described is not as damaging to the engine as in years past. However, I would recommend having the oil changed (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/change-oil-and-filter) sooner rather...
Wont catch the first or second gear
Hi there. It sounds like you may have bad synchronizers. These components match the output gear speed to the wheel speed which, in your case, would be zero. However, remember that all of the output gears are in mesh with...
Check engine light on, engine knocking, loss of power, and coolant leaking.
Hi there. Grab a flashlight and look under the vehicle for where the coolant leak is coming from. Either there is a gasket, hose, or freeze plug that is leaking causing the coolant to leak or the engine has cracked....
My 2001 BMW 740 IL Transmission Failsafe light came on when I put the car into drive
Your car has an electronically controlled transmission. If the controller detects a fault in the transmission it goes into failsafe mode to "work around" the problem. It might for instance skip a gear that it finds to be a problem...
07 honda pilot p2138 code. While driving on frwy check engine and vsa light came on. When stopped and resume acceleration pilot sl
Hi there. You might find this article very helpful (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p2138-obd-ii-trouble-code-throttle-pedal-position-sensor-switch-d-e-voltage-correlation-by-andrew-quinn) in trying to diagnose the root source of this error code. The article will also explain what the code means, common causes and repairs.
Related articles
The Importance of Warming Your Car Before Driving
Scandphoto / Shutterstock.com Many people feel that it’s important to warm a vehicle up before driving off. This has long been the dominant school of thought, dating from when cars had carburetors and many would not run...
A Buyer's Guide to the 2012 Lexus GS
A A decade after it debuted, the 2012 Lexus GS still hasn’t found a strong foothold in the sport-sedan market. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a closer look. It’s much more affordable than competitors like the BMW 3...
Symptoms of Bad or Failing Spark Plugs
Common signs of faulty spark plugs include slow acceleration, loss of power, poor fuel economy, engine misfires, and difficulty starting the car.
Browse other content
Maintenance
Services