3 Steps on Identifying Weird Car Noise

3 Steps to Identify a Weird Car Noise

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Car noise can be more than irritating.

1.  Car noise when in gear, from an idle?

When the vehicle is turned on and first put into drive, there may be a rattle or clanking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. This car noise may be attributed to the drive shaft universal joints. These joints connect the transmission to the rear differential; and if they have worn down, they could impact the differential by forcing it to work harder, thus wearing down its gears. In order to check the gears of the rear differential, a certified technician will need to be consulted as the procedure requires equipment not commonly available to the consumer.

2. Grinding Gears at Speed

When the vehicle accelerates, there may be more noises like a hum, or continued clank from the rear. This can be due to the gears in the rear differential being stripped or partially worn which creates an awkward motion as they spin the drive shaft. Car noise may be especially bad when the driver accelerates the vehicle quickly and is forced to brake rapidly.

3. Car Noise with Vibration and Fluid Leak

Worn or ripped universal joints will also cause vibration along the drive shaft and into the engine block via the transmission. This may be felt at high speeds in the body of the vehicle or through the floor. The rear differential and universal joints also have seals and use lubricant to work properly, and a leak or crack in a seal may contribute to vibration and failure of rear differential gears. Look for any fluid pooled at the rear of the vehicle after it has sat overnight.

Bottom line: when you have car noise it may or may not be real serious.  I most cases car noise will grow and could lead to serious repairs.  Take the time to identify the source of the noise and make repairs or adjustments as soon as possible.

See What Scotty Kilmer say about Finding the Source of Car Noises car noise

Car wont start

Car not starting ? It could be your battery or your starter.

/0 Comments/in , /by

A car not starting may be from a bad battery or starter.

If car not starting, recognize the different sounds your car makes when the car is not starting. A click usually means there is not enough current to start the car, while a whine usually means there is a misalignment. When you start to hear these noises when trying to start your car, you should speak to a mechanic to see if the starter needs replacing or can be rebuilt.

Check the battery first. A weak battery cannot turn the starter over. Also, clean any corrosion from the battery and make sure the grounding wire from the starter is connected. If the battery is at full strength, and you still only hear a clicking noise, then your starter needs replacing. Turn on the headlights and crank the car. If your lights go out or dim when you turn the key, then you have a problem with the battery or power and not the actual starter. Your headlights remaining steady while your car clicks instead of turning over points to the starter.

Car not starting is easy to troubleshoot.

car not startingGet help identifying sounds.  Keep track of how often many times the car actually starts. If your car turns over and starts intermittently, but then does nothing at other times, you should recognize that as a problem with the starter. Sometimes tapping or shaking the ignition or starter can get your car going again, but you should replace the parts as soon as you get a chance. No kidding! Shake it!

Clean and rebuild a starter before replacing it. If you get the starter apart and any of the parts are corroded or cracked, you should invest in a rebuilt or new starter. Learn to recognize the difference between dirt and corrosion. Simple dirt and grime can be cleaned off with a wire brush. Measure the amperage on the cable that runs from the battery to the starter using a multi meter. Under normal conditions, the starter should draw about one ampere per cubic inch of engine displacement (on a large engine that means 200 or 200A). If the amp draw is too high or too low, then the starter needs to be replaced.