Car makes noise like howling wind while Idling.

ANSWER : The power steering pump may whine if the fluid level has become too low from a leak or you may hear a squealing noise if the belt has become too slack. While the belt is off would be a good time to check the other components along the belt drive as well to possibly catch a problem before it gets too bad. Since the belt drive was serviced recently, it would be a good place to start looking for problems. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come out for a closer inspection of the noise to offer a more personal diagnosis.

ANSWER : Hey there, thanks for writing in. I would have a professional mechanic check out the constant velocity joints on your vehicle. One or more of them may be worn enough to cause the noises you describe. S/he can diagnose and replace any failed CV joints.

ANSWER : Hi there. The rattling noise could be the drive belt or pulley that is loose when not under a load. When turning the wheels or on highway driving conditions, the noise may not be there for the engine is under a load. Try turning on the air conditioner and see if the noise goes away. If so, then the tensioner could have a weak spring.

Billing question was sent to CS for the cost of diagnosing a rattling noise on the engine and the cost of replacing the parts after the diagnosis of a 2000 Toyota Corolla with a L4-1.8L engine.

ANSWER : Without listening to the noise myself and going on what you describe then I would have to say it is an engine piston rod knocking inside the motor. You should have a mechanic like one from YourMechanic listen to the noise and see if the engine needs internal repairs.

ANSWER : Hi there. From the description you have provided your vehicle’s moaning noise and intermittent stalling problem could be any number of things. It could be a failed alternator diode making the moaning noise and affecting the idle.

A failed alternator diode(s) allows voltage to flow both directions or no flow at all resulting in noise heard and erratic electrical operation. It could be a faulty idle air control valve. The idle air control valve can make noise and would account for the erratic idle and sporadic dying. It could be an accessory component, such as an A/C compressor, serpentine belt tensioner, or idler pulley, power steering pump making noise and placing undo load on the engine at idle. If you would like to have this done, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the noise and stalling issue.

ANSWER : A possibility is a faulty ignition switch. If the switch opens after the car starts, the engine will shut off. But, that is just a possibility and a diagnostic would have to be performed to rule that in or out. Be sure you have a fully charged battery that passes a load test. Starters motors can display intermittent operation if they are faulty. With a fully charged battery, if the starter motor does not run that signifies an electrical problem in the starter circuit (includes the ignition switch) or a problem with the starter motor itself. If there is power to the starter motor and yet it doesn’t run, the starter is condemned and replaced. Alternatively, if there is no power to the starter, or there is a big voltage drop anywhere on the circuit to the starter, then the circuit has to be traced until the fault in the circuit is found. Notably, faults can include high resistances, due to corrosion, wire strand breaks, or loose terminals, which can only be diagnosed using a voltage drop test. Regardless of what the underlying cause of the no start condition is, if you desire that a certified mechanic resolve this promptly, please simply request a no start diagnostic and the responding mechanic will get it diagnosed and repaired for you. Please let us know if you have further concerns or questions as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : You should have the brake sensors checked to see if the brakes are worn to the sensor or the backing vent plate is rubbing the rotor. If both are good then you may have a front wheel bearing then is going bad and needs replaced. Only a physical inspection can verify the brakes are good and not cause of noise and the bearing is bad.

ANSWER : Hi there. Typically replacing a starter on a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica shouldn’t require much ’fiddling around’, however, it’s possible that the mechanic was replacing a starter relay if the original replacement didn’t solve the issue. That shouldn’t cause a ticking noise as you’ve described though. It’s probably a good idea to have one of our professional mobile mechanics come to your location and complete a car is making a noise inspection, especially if this noise is progressively getting worse. This will allow them to isolate the source of the noise and determine what repairs are needed to resolve this problem.