Q: Engine noise at idling, Check Engine Light on

asked by on August 30, 2016

My car has gone 45,000 miles. It's been having problems ever since I bought it. Due to grinding noise that was noticeable while shifting with fully depressed clutch, the dealer had the transmission replaced. Now,the dashboard started showing the check engine light illuminated. It happens while I'm shifting at 6000 RPM on average. During idling, there is a high-pitched noise coming from the engine. What might be causing this? Is the engine going out?

Check Engine Light is on Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello. It is common for these cars to have problems with the camshaft gears making noise and causing the Engine Light to come on. If the problem persists, then damage to the motor is possible. It would be a good idea to take the car back to the dealership who performed the work previously to have this addressed. If you do not feel comfortable taking the car back to the dealership, contact a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, who will be able to assist you.

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


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Floorboards wet from coolant leak.
There are a few things that could cause a wet floor. A clogged evaporator drain if you are lucky and a leaking heater core if you are not so lucky. To address the leaking coolant, I would have a technician,...
Car dinging and Service Engine Soon light coming on
Most GM vehicles will give you a "ding" when a Warning light comes on. Even though the Check Engine Light goes out, the code will be stored in the engine's computer. A qualified mechanic from YourMechanic can come out, scan...
Ratting on front end
There are many components that come together to make the suspension system in your Pontiac Torrent and several of them can duplicate the rattle in the front end when they are failing. With the noise stopping when applying the brake,...
Car will start and run fine, then all of a sudden die and not start, or start and die.
If the catalytic converter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/catalytic-converter-replacement) is not working properly, it will cause the symptons you described, such as very poor fuel mileage, poor performance and a fuel smell as this is the raw fuel coming out of the exhaust. This...
Why does my car go forward in reverse?
Hello, the automatic transmission has 3 systems; electronic, hydraulic, and mechanical. What describe could be an internal mechanical failure with transmission. There also could be a hydraulic failure internal with transmission creating only the forward gears circuit to operate. The...
Cutting off when coming to a stop
Unfortunately, without the make and model of your vehicle, this would be tough to diagnose. Generally, when the engine dies when coming to a stop, this is commonly related to what is known as an idle air control valve. The...
When i rev the engine hard, it loses power.
This sounds like you are having low fuel pressure or fuel volume getting to the engine. You will need to have the computer scanned for codes and the fuel pressure checked and while accelerating see if the fuel pressure drops...
2003 Jeep Liberty check engine light power all time smell and white smoke
Hi Vanesa. Thanks for writing in tonight about this very odd issue with the Jeep. Generally speaking, when you have constant power being drawn (even if the key is out of the ignition) it's caused by an electrical circuit that...

Related articles

P0455 OBD-II Trouble Code: System Gross Leak Evaporative Emission
P0455 Trouble Code definition System Gross Leak Evaporative Emission The Code P00455 code is often associated with P0440 code. What...
P0734 OBD-II Trouble Code: Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio
P0734 code means there has been an abnormality detected in one of the automatic transmission gears often due too a faulty PCM, ECM, TCM or blockage.
P0775 OBD-II Trouble Code: Pressure Control Solenoid B Malfunction
P0775 means there is insufficient fluid pressure within a solenoid operating the automatic transmission due to leaks, low or dirty fluid.