riaphaelle
New member
Just a general question -- how did you guys learn so much about cars? I know fucking nothing, I wanna talk cool and elite like you guys. Where do I start?
Dammit, my car is making a noise
- Thread starter riaphaelle
- Start date
justin_mcnatt
New member
I had a great post for you about how I grew up in the car world, family owned business repair shop, health issues forced closure, bought my first car in '84, had 13 cars before I got my '64 Dodge in '89, you'd have to be around cars to know cars, I've been away from then too long post....but I fucked up and lost it.
So that's the short version.
So that's the short version.
OK for those who are saying again that it's the fan, he already said he checked, and it wasn't spinning.
Yes, that's one question I forgot to ask...what model and year is the car?
If it is the starter, then yes, to replace all you need to ask for is the starter. The solenoid is built onto the starter, and will come with it.
CL, the screeching he mentioned was in reference to the noise in question, I'm pretty sure. He was comparing the normal sound of the fan to this noise, and said the fan is nowhere near as loud. That also makes sense what you said about the starter simply staying running from the time he starts the car. This would explain the burning smell, as a starter will start to burn up after only being on for a short period of time.
DB, I take it the car is an auto, and the shifter is on the column? If so, all you have to do to put it in neutral is turn the key to the run position (sometimes not even that far), and then slip the shifter to the neutral position. If the shifter is on the floor, you should be able to simply slide the shifter to the neutral position like normal. Just keep in mind that if the car isn't running, the brake pedal will stiffen up majorly every time you use it.
DB, two questions:
1) Does the noise start up again when you reconnect the battery?
2) If it starts making that noise again, can you still start the car, or does it just grind real bad, or not do anything? If the noise doesn't start up again when you connect the battery, start the car, and if it starts then, shut it off and see if the noise continues. If it does, try to restart it.
anotheruser: I started simply. We had an old lawnmower that didn't work anymore, so I disassembled most of it, and put it all back together, when I was only about twelve or thirteen. I can't remember exactly how, but at some point here, I learned the basics of how engines work; two stroke and four stroke. I had a small dirtbike for a couple years that I did most of the maintenance (sp?) on, with some help from dad now and then.
My first vehicle was a '76 Datsun pickup, which I found for cheap, without an engine. I found an engine elsewhere, and with the help of a friend, installed the engine and got the truck running.
My next vehicle was an '84 Nissan pickup. I think I ended up rebuilding the engine in that at one point.
Then I had an '83 Supra, and when the head cracked on that thing, I replaced the head, rings, and bearings. Ran great until some asshole rear-ended me at forty k's. Well, it still ran great, but the car was wrecked.
Since then I haven't done any major engine work. I had a Civic for a while, and besides changing the rad once or twice in that thing, and doing some work for a safety inspection, I didn't have to fix that car.
For me it's been a learn-on-the-go thing. Something's wrong, fix it. Maybe get some help, but try to figure it out myself and fix it. But, you do have to have at least a basic understanding of how everything works, on its own and all together, to really be able to troubleshoot or start fixing.
A good resource for engines is HowStuffWorks.com. They explain things pretty good, and have cutaway animations of working engines. I think they also explain manual transmissions; I'm not sure about autos.
Haha CL, I'm not losing this post! I'm copying it to the clipboard before I hit post. I've lost posts before, and it sucks hardcore.
Yes, that's one question I forgot to ask...what model and year is the car?
If it is the starter, then yes, to replace all you need to ask for is the starter. The solenoid is built onto the starter, and will come with it.
CL, the screeching he mentioned was in reference to the noise in question, I'm pretty sure. He was comparing the normal sound of the fan to this noise, and said the fan is nowhere near as loud. That also makes sense what you said about the starter simply staying running from the time he starts the car. This would explain the burning smell, as a starter will start to burn up after only being on for a short period of time.
DB, I take it the car is an auto, and the shifter is on the column? If so, all you have to do to put it in neutral is turn the key to the run position (sometimes not even that far), and then slip the shifter to the neutral position. If the shifter is on the floor, you should be able to simply slide the shifter to the neutral position like normal. Just keep in mind that if the car isn't running, the brake pedal will stiffen up majorly every time you use it.
DB, two questions:
1) Does the noise start up again when you reconnect the battery?
2) If it starts making that noise again, can you still start the car, or does it just grind real bad, or not do anything? If the noise doesn't start up again when you connect the battery, start the car, and if it starts then, shut it off and see if the noise continues. If it does, try to restart it.
anotheruser: I started simply. We had an old lawnmower that didn't work anymore, so I disassembled most of it, and put it all back together, when I was only about twelve or thirteen. I can't remember exactly how, but at some point here, I learned the basics of how engines work; two stroke and four stroke. I had a small dirtbike for a couple years that I did most of the maintenance (sp?) on, with some help from dad now and then.
My first vehicle was a '76 Datsun pickup, which I found for cheap, without an engine. I found an engine elsewhere, and with the help of a friend, installed the engine and got the truck running.
My next vehicle was an '84 Nissan pickup. I think I ended up rebuilding the engine in that at one point.
Then I had an '83 Supra, and when the head cracked on that thing, I replaced the head, rings, and bearings. Ran great until some asshole rear-ended me at forty k's. Well, it still ran great, but the car was wrecked.
Since then I haven't done any major engine work. I had a Civic for a while, and besides changing the rad once or twice in that thing, and doing some work for a safety inspection, I didn't have to fix that car.
For me it's been a learn-on-the-go thing. Something's wrong, fix it. Maybe get some help, but try to figure it out myself and fix it. But, you do have to have at least a basic understanding of how everything works, on its own and all together, to really be able to troubleshoot or start fixing.
A good resource for engines is HowStuffWorks.com. They explain things pretty good, and have cutaway animations of working engines. I think they also explain manual transmissions; I'm not sure about autos.
Haha CL, I'm not losing this post! I'm copying it to the clipboard before I hit post. I've lost posts before, and it sucks hardcore.
It's not the timing belt. From the video it was a grinding kind of noise, the timing belt would just make a really high pitched squeaking. I had to drive around all fucking week once with a timing belt malfunction.
The only thing I know about cars is what I pick up on through experience with mine. Unfortunately, I've never had that problem yet.
Sorry dude, that sucks.
The only thing I know about cars is what I pick up on through experience with mine. Unfortunately, I've never had that problem yet.
Sorry dude, that sucks.
Definitely not the fan unless something screwy is going on with the motor where it's not engaging the fan blades...
And it's not the timing belt or anything belt related. The belts are not moving, the car is not running. The car runs fine in spite of the noise actually.
It's a 1992 Camaro (yes it has the V8). Just a small block chevy.
And it's not the timing belt or anything belt related. The belts are not moving, the car is not running. The car runs fine in spite of the noise actually.
It's a 1992 Camaro (yes it has the V8). Just a small block chevy.
Sounded to me like an electric motor running under no-load conditions and basically over-revving. If your fan is electric, which most are by '92, the fan motor/clutch assembly could be wonked out. I'd try tapping on it while its off, then reconnecting the battery cable, and see if you can get it to stop.
Alternatively, your starter could be the problem, I'd try tapping on it too. Then reconnecting the battery cable.
Although, also, as leehype suggested, you could take a stick of sorts (broom handle, long screwdriver), and place it on various parts/motors under the hood, and hold one end to your ear, and listen for the vibrations.
A sound that freaking loud should be fairly simple to trace. Jesus.
Alternatively, your starter could be the problem, I'd try tapping on it too. Then reconnecting the battery cable.
Although, also, as leehype suggested, you could take a stick of sorts (broom handle, long screwdriver), and place it on various parts/motors under the hood, and hold one end to your ear, and listen for the vibrations.
A sound that freaking loud should be fairly simple to trace. Jesus.
dirtbikeghoul
New member
I don't know that I've seen an electric fan with a clutch either, now that you bring it up. But there is a first time for everything! Maybe...
Dad's old '86 F-250 had an electric fan assembly on it. And on REALLY hot days it would run for a bit when the truck was off. Even if it hadn't been run since that morning, or not at all. That was a bit weird. Then there was my old Reliant K that had a crapped out relay so the fan wouldn't shut off at all.
Dad's old '86 F-250 had an electric fan assembly on it. And on REALLY hot days it would run for a bit when the truck was off. Even if it hadn't been run since that morning, or not at all. That was a bit weird. Then there was my old Reliant K that had a crapped out relay so the fan wouldn't shut off at all.
stained sports mom
New member
I still think more info is needed. We can guess all day long. I have my ideas..others have their ideas.
As BWM said, that noise should not be hard to trace. Open your ears and go right to the source of it....seriously. It's loud enough to hear on video...
You may trace it to a general area without seeing the problem, but that general area will give you the answer for the most part.
I mean, this is rediculous.
Leave the battery hooked up and check where it's coming from. If you have to jack it up...then do it.
This is like watching a dog chase his own tail.
As BWM said, that noise should not be hard to trace. Open your ears and go right to the source of it....seriously. It's loud enough to hear on video...
You may trace it to a general area without seeing the problem, but that general area will give you the answer for the most part.
I mean, this is rediculous.
Leave the battery hooked up and check where it's coming from. If you have to jack it up...then do it.
This is like watching a dog chase his own tail.