97 nissan maxima problem

Hello all,

I am new to the board.


I own a 1997 Maxima and for the last month or so my car has been making a noise similar to an electric can opener. The noise would only last for about 10-15 seconds then go away. Lately the noise occurs while I'm driving if my air is on, soon as I turn off the air conditioner the noise goes away in a few seconds, but that's not to say the noise doesn't occur when the air isn't on. I have no idea where the sound could be coming from. Here is a detailed description below.

1. start car
2. noise begins immediately
3. noise goes away after a few seconds
4. turn on air and a few moments later the noise comes on
5. turn off the air the then the noise goes away

and sometimes the noise would still come back on even after I turned my air off. Any advice on what the problem might be would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

First locate sound source: trunk, seat, engine...?

Adjusting accessory belt tension 1-3 never hurts.

see http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/23
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/748000-748999/748507_383.jpg

We had the same noise that drove my wife crazy. It was the power antena. When you turn your car on it go would go up. And I am assuming that when you turn your air off you turn off your radio too. It may not be the same problem you are having but at least it gives you an idea to check for.

I recently let my little brother drive our car and he took it to the wash as a thank you, but he forgot to put the antena down. Without the antena the sound lasts for about 30 seconds before and after you turn the car or radio on or off.

Good LucK!

Sounds like you have a bad timing chain tensioner