Wierd sound when AC is off. HELP!

[jdg371]

Hello TN. I have an issue with a recent purchase. I picked up at Prizm 3SP Slushbox to replace the Tacoma. There is a whining sound when the AC is off. When I turn on the AC it dissapears. My guess is that it has to do with the serpantine belt.

Issue #2 is a clunking type noise. I checked the tierods and ball joint and they seem to to be fine. Its audible when the surface is uneven. sounds like a dropping metal sound. The shocks are a little rusty but they seem to be in decent condition, springs are good from a visual check.

Issue #3 I know the alignment is off, car turns slightly to the right. Would that have any association with issue #2?

The Prizm is base base base model with A/C, P/S, and an aftermarket C/C. 116K Miles.


The rear sits an inch to inch and a half lower when empty. Not sure if this is normal, always thought the front was lower....




Thanks!
JDG

[01loadedLE]

I don't really know about 1, or 2 either if you do indeed have a 98- prism with shocks, but just in case you possibly misspoke and have struts then the later corollas often have your 2nd issue with strut mounts so I'm guessing later prisms would too since they're pretty much identical to corollas.

With 3 it could just be tire pull with the alignment being perfect. You could swap the front tires to opposite sides first and see if the car pulls to the other side and if so then you know it's tire pull. If not then swap the rear tires next and see. If neither swaps change the direction of pull then it is out of alignment.

[blb]

Originally Posted by jdg371

Hello TN. I have an issue with a recent purchase. I picked up at Prizm 3SP Slushbox to replace the Tacoma. There is a whining sound when the AC is off. When I turn on the AC it dissapears. My guess is that it has to do with the serpantine belt.

Issue #2 is a clunking type noise. I checked the tierods and ball joint and they seem to to be fine. Its audible when the surface is uneven. sounds like a dropping metal sound. The shocks are a little rusty but they seem to be in decent condition, springs are good from a visual check.

Issue #3 I know the alignment is off, car turns slightly to the right. Would that have any association with issue #2?

The Prizm is base base base model with A/C, P/S, and an aftermarket C/C. 116K Miles.


The rear sits an inch to inch and a half lower when empty. Not sure if this is normal, always thought the front was lower....




Thanks!
JDG

#1 Use a length of hose or a mechanic's stethoscope to pinpoint which driven accessory or if the idler pulley is making the noise with the engine running and the A/C off. Be careful not to get the hose or stethoscope caught between the moving serpentine belt and pulleys.

#2 You need to replace the swaybar end links.

#3 A bad alignment alone won't cause a noise as described in #2

[01loadedLE]

[The rear sits an inch to inch and a half lower when empty. Not sure if this is normal, always thought the front was lower....]

Btw I forgot to include in my post yesterday that this is normal.