Problem diagnosis help! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

SadInIndy · 03-06-2005, 11:49 PM

When i turned on my car a little bit ago this loud clicking/clucking sound started comming from under the hood. It sounds as if something is loose under there and its just spinning and hitting something. Other then this sound the car sounds just fine. Do you have any idea as to what it might be? Thanks.

Limnos · 03-07-2005, 04:27 PM

More information would be helpful. What does it sound like? Metallic, or something softer? If it's just a clunking noise rather than a clanging noise you could have a badly frayed belt. Does is make the noise faster the faster you go? Is it tied in with engine speed or the actual speed of the car itself? If you get out and pop the hood can you make a rough estimate about where the sound is coming from?

SadInIndy · 03-07-2005, 08:51 PM

It's a loud, fast, rhythmic, tapping noise. It doesn't sound metalic, its kind of soft. And I haven't actually driven it since the noise started so I dont know how it sounds at different speeds.

fredk · 03-07-2005, 09:26 PM

open the hood, get a flashlite and look around

SadInIndy · 03-07-2005, 09:51 PM

I'm totally car illiterate..i have no idea what i'm looking at! It sounds like its comming from the engine. But I cant tell if something is out of place cause i have no idea what it looked like before.

fredk · 03-07-2005, 10:10 PM

just do this, find whats making the noise and tell us what it looks like

fredk · 03-07-2005, 10:11 PM

just remember, it aint gonna eat ya

SadInIndy · 03-08-2005, 09:46 AM

The noise is comming from the highlighted area, those belts. But I took a closer look at them and they dont look worn out or damaged...but then again what do i know.

***Chris Corolla S*** · 03-08-2005, 10:26 AM

Belts are pretty easy to diagnose. Take a look for cracking, splitting, or other signs of excessive drying out or wear. twist it to see the other side.
Check everything you can reach that the belt goes around and see if they feel loose.
For instance, that thing in the bottom of your rectangle with the wire poking out those little windows is the alternator. If you grab it and wiggle it you should feel no movement. Also grab the pully for it and make sure it doesn't move.
Sometimes it helps to use a stick, like a wooden tree stake or something. You can put one end on your ear and the other onto various parts and hear inside to see if there are any internal problems like tapping valves or bad bearings.

fredk · 03-08-2005, 05:21 PM

get a glass of water and get the motor running and drown the belts, see if the noise changes