Yesterday out of the blue, my car started making a repetitive chirping or grinding noise from the driver's side of the engine compartment. It almost sounds like a starter cranking very slowly, or maybe an old noisy electric wiper motor. At first I thought it was actually the wiper, but it's not. A brief look under the car reveals nothing obvious. All I can see on that side is the transmission. Here's a video of the noise:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KZChRTstjM&feature=g-upl
The noise occurs only when the engine is running, and stops the moment I shut off the engine. It doesn't change based on engine speed, and is present with the clutch in or out. It doesn't change based on car speed either, and seems to be present in all gears, but after 50 MPH or so, it gets drowned out by wind noise. I can't get the noise to change speed or go away, and the car runs and drives just fine otherwise. It's just constant and repetitive. Inside the car I also heard an occasional "popping" or "crackling" noise that was related as well. The only time I *think* I heard it go away is when I was coasting to a stop in gear (can't remember which) and it seemed like the noise was gone for a moment and then came back as the car was slowing down.
Full disclosure in case it means anything - I think my throwout bearing may be going out, as I have heard it making a bit of noise when the clutch pedal is in. But if it completely failed, I would think I would hear a difference with the clutch in or out. Also, I changed a front wheel hub bearing a month or so back and have had an ABS light on ever since. The bearing was installed properly, so I just bought a new wheel speed sensor to try. It'll be delivered today and I was planning on installing it after work, so I'll get the front end of the car in the air and try to pinpoint the source of the chirping while I'm at it.
Any ideas? I was just about to let my parents borrow the car for a trip out to Nevada (because their truck gets poor mileage), but now I'm reluctant to do so in case it's about to break down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KZChRTstjM&feature=g-upl
The noise occurs only when the engine is running, and stops the moment I shut off the engine. It doesn't change based on engine speed, and is present with the clutch in or out. It doesn't change based on car speed either, and seems to be present in all gears, but after 50 MPH or so, it gets drowned out by wind noise. I can't get the noise to change speed or go away, and the car runs and drives just fine otherwise. It's just constant and repetitive. Inside the car I also heard an occasional "popping" or "crackling" noise that was related as well. The only time I *think* I heard it go away is when I was coasting to a stop in gear (can't remember which) and it seemed like the noise was gone for a moment and then came back as the car was slowing down.
Full disclosure in case it means anything - I think my throwout bearing may be going out, as I have heard it making a bit of noise when the clutch pedal is in. But if it completely failed, I would think I would hear a difference with the clutch in or out. Also, I changed a front wheel hub bearing a month or so back and have had an ABS light on ever since. The bearing was installed properly, so I just bought a new wheel speed sensor to try. It'll be delivered today and I was planning on installing it after work, so I'll get the front end of the car in the air and try to pinpoint the source of the chirping while I'm at it.
Any ideas? I was just about to let my parents borrow the car for a trip out to Nevada (because their truck gets poor mileage), but now I'm reluctant to do so in case it's about to break down.
