ITGeek
Aurora Watcher
Unlike some geeks, I actually get my hands dirty.
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Post by ITGeek on Mar 11, 2005 16:00:50 GMT -6
I recently purchased a 95 and have done my share of replacing typical problem parts. I thoroughly researched this car and the kinds of problems that go along with it, and have not run into any surprises so far. Here is the laundry list of things I have done so far:
1) Replaced front wheel hub assemblies (bad bearings) 2) Replaced front control arm bushings 3) Replaced front sway bar links 4) Had the fuel rail/fuel line recall performed 5) Replaced the tension and idler pulleys 6) Replaced the serpentine belt 7) Replaced the plugs and wires. The wires had been replaced, but the plugs from the rear bank were worn badly. I suspect someone decided the rear plugs were too hard to get to because they sure looked like they had 150K miles on them!
Now the sound that the car is making, and has made from day one, is a moaning kind of sound. It is not a squeal, a grind, a whine, or a whistle. It is RPM specific and is no different whether the car is in gear or idling. It starts rather abruptly at about 1600 RPM and tapers off a bit to about 2100 RPM where it disappears completely.
From inside the car it can be heard on the passenger side. From under the hood, it is still on the passenger side towards the front of the vehicle. When I was replacing the serpentine belt, I checked the AC clutch and alternator pulleys and they didn't feel bad.
If I had to make a guess, I'd have to say that it was one of those components. But in the absence of problems, I'd rather not just try replacing one or the other. Both are expensive, even with me doing all the work.
So the question goes out to everybody out there, ever heard something on your Aurora like this? If so, was it resolved by replacing a specific component?
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Post by Isnibs on Mar 11, 2005 16:36:41 GMT -6
Check the serpentine belt tension. Check all the pulleys are in line.
Look at the belt carefully at 1600+ RPM is it vibrating.
Try spraying all pulleys, plus the belt tensioner and the belt pulley with WD40. Give the belt itself some belt dressing.
Check the power steering level.
Rev to 1600+, get a good moan going and turn the steering fully left then right.
Still at 1600+. Turn on the seat warmers, rear window defogger, headlights, radio, anything that uses electricity, put your foot on the brake. Turn your climate control to the lowest setting see if the A/C comes on. This will test your alternator
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Post by Isnibs on Mar 16, 2005 20:13:06 GMT -6
Can you get a short serpentine belt installed. This cuts out the AC so you can check if the AC pulley is your problem.
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Post by kobalt on Mar 17, 2005 14:53:24 GMT -6
Isnibs mentioned the power steering and that would be my first guess as well.
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Post by auroralover on Mar 17, 2005 15:07:20 GMT -6
This isn't so much a sound as it is a feel, but I didn't want to start another thread. When my 97 shifts from first to second gear, I feel like something is rubbing against something in the motor/tranny. I can feel it mainly in my right foot. It only does it when cold or has been sitting awhile, and only just after it shifts into second gear. Tranny fluid is full and fine; don't know what the heck this is. Any guesses? The "rubbing" only last for a second, at the most.
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Post by Isnibs on Mar 17, 2005 20:53:32 GMT -6
First thing in the morning as I set out for work, as she goes into second gear. Mine is the same.
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Post by auroralover on Mar 18, 2005 4:03:30 GMT -6
Really? Mine's been doing it since I bought it. Well, we both have black cars, so maybe there's a pattern here.....
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Post by Isnibs on Mar 18, 2005 12:07:12 GMT -6
Really? Mine's been doing it since I bought it. Well, we both have black cars, so maybe there's a pattern here..... I was looking for other parts to the pattern and come to think of it I have these black and silver round things, one in each corner of the car. I think they are called whools but I'm not sure. Do you have them too?
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ITGeek
Aurora Watcher
Unlike some geeks, I actually get my hands dirty.
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Post by ITGeek on Mar 18, 2005 15:27:46 GMT -6
Mine also does the same thing. I seem to have run across something in the service manual about something that charges up when you first start driving. It might have something to do with ABS or traction control. I can't be certain. It was pretty late in the evening and I was enjoying a cold beer or two at the time. ;D I'll peruse the service manual again this week-end and see if I can find it. Regarding the original thread topic, I was able to isolate the problem to either the power steering pump, or the alternator. I just removed the serpentine belt and started it up for a few minutes, noted that the sound was gone, then put the belt back on. Since I have replaced the power steering pump and idler pulleys already, that just leaves the alternator and AC compressor. I'm going to pull the alternator this week-end and take it to be tested. I'm not sure if the parts store tester will run it fast enough to cause it to make that sound, but it is worth a shot. I just hope it isn't the AC compressor.
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ITGeek
Aurora Watcher
Unlike some geeks, I actually get my hands dirty.
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Post by ITGeek on Mar 21, 2005 9:48:52 GMT -6
Well, the problem turned out to be the alternator after all. When I took it in to get it tested, it made a little bit of a noise. Nothing conclusive so I decided to gamble and replaced the alternator anyway. Things are much quieter now.
So, if anyone runs into a strange sound from about 1600 rpm to 2100 rpm and it sounds like it is on the passenger side, it could be the alternator.
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ITGeek
Aurora Watcher
Unlike some geeks, I actually get my hands dirty.
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Post by ITGeek on Mar 22, 2005 8:41:58 GMT -6
I finally found that section in the service manual about something charging up. The ABS system charges at 6 MPH and the Traction Control system charges at 12 MPH. I've got no clue what exactly is meant by charging, but mine does this like clock work when I first start up the street. So, I don't think what you are feeling is a problem, just these systems doing whatever it is they do to charge up.
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Post by oldsauroraman1 on Mar 22, 2005 8:57:24 GMT -6
This isn't so much a sound as it is a feel, but I didn't want to start another thread. When my 97 shifts from first to second gear, I feel like something is rubbing against something in the motor/tranny. I can feel it mainly in my right foot. It only does it when cold or has been sitting awhile, and only just after it shifts into second gear. Tranny fluid is full and fine; don't know what the heck this is. Any guesses? The "rubbing" only last for a second, at the most. Have no idea. My 98 does the same, exact, thing. Sounds/feels kinda like rubbing or may even be a pressure thing with the valve body???
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Post by oldsauroraman1 on Mar 22, 2005 9:00:57 GMT -6
I finally found that section in the service manual about something charging up. The ABS system charges at 6 MPH and the Traction Control system charges at 12 MPH. I've got no clue what exactly is meant by charging, but mine does this like clock work when I first start up the street. So, I don't think what you are feeling is a problem, just these systems doing whatever it is they do to charge up. EXCELLENT! Great job doing the research "ITGeek." I thought something was wearing on something and ultimately it would reveal itself - in a very expensive way! Also glad to hear you found the passenger side noise. They can be most irritating!
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ITGeek
Aurora Watcher
Unlike some geeks, I actually get my hands dirty.
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Post by ITGeek on Mar 23, 2005 9:52:35 GMT -6
Interestingly enough, I am seeing an increase in fuel economy now. A solid 1 MPG improvement so far. Now, when I removed the original alternator, it felt fine. But I think that under load it was a different story. When it was making that noise, a bearing was binding up and putting additional drag on the engine. I've never had a bad alternator act like that before, but then again, I've never had a car like this before.
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Post by oldsauroraman1 on Mar 23, 2005 10:23:19 GMT -6
You got it. Just like an A/C compressor putting on a load and lowering your gas mileage.
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Post by Isnibs on Mar 23, 2005 14:52:03 GMT -6
I finally found that section in the service manual about something charging up. The ABS system charges at 6 MPH and the Traction Control system charges at 12 MPH. I've got no clue what exactly is meant by charging, but mine does this like clock work when I first start up the street. So, I don't think what you are feeling is a problem, just these systems doing whatever it is they do to charge up. Great. Thanks for the info. One less bit to worry about.
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scottydl
Super Moderator
There's nothin' like an American V-8...
Posts: 7,373
Staff Member
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Post by scottydl on Mar 24, 2005 9:39:15 GMT -6
I finally found that section in the service manual about something charging up. The ABS system charges at 6 MPH... I have definitely noticed this one before too... my braking at the first stop sign each day often feels weird, with the ABS activating slightly on a completely dry road. That stop is about 100 feet from my driveway, so I bet that I hit about 6mph at that point and the ABS is charging while I'm braking. Nice find!
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