Chirping 2002 Grand Caravan

[foofy]

I just purchased a 2002 Grand Caravan with 34,000 miles. During the test drive I did not hear any strange noises coming from the engine. The next time the engine was started was when I was leaving the car dealership (2 hours later and the engine was cooled down), I put my foot on the gas while it was in park and I heard a chirping noise. I looked under the hood and the noise was coming from the belt or the idler pulley, passenger side. I was hoping it was just a quirk and figured I would take the car home (since their service center was closed), let the car sit overnight and see what happened in the morning. The drive home was about 45 minutes and by the time I got home the noise was gone. When I started it this morning, the chirping noise started right away without even pressing the gas pedal. I then took it for about a 5 minute drive and it eventually subsided some, no longer chirping with my foot off the gas, only chirping when I pressed the gas pedal fairly hard. It seems as if the chirp goes away once the car is warmed up. This happens with the a/c on and off, not sure if that matters or not. Would a faulty idler pulley stop chirping once the car was warmed? Or, is this more than likely a misaligned or bad belt that stops chirping when it's warm? I am planning on taking it to the dealer tomorrow but want to have a little more knowledge before doing so. If anyone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

[earlyrizr]

sounds like worn belt,you just bought it,I would make them replace it and make sure they dont just spray belt dressing on it or the noise will come back.The other thing it might be is the bearings on the pullys,you can spray something like wd40 when it makes the noise to see if it goes away.Either way make them fix it right.

[vipergg]

More than likely just a belt , after awhile they can get glazed and will chirp or make noise when first started until it gets warmed up , replace the belt and it will probably go away.

[Stevo2]

The easiest thing is to try a belt first but the chirp could be from a bad bearing in an idler pulley, tensioner, water pump or alternator. As the bearing heat up the grease starts to move again and the chirp goes away. Alot of us use a long screwdriver as a stethoscope to find noises by holding the tip on the suspected part and the handle in our ear and go from part to part to listen. Anyone that does this must be very careful to not get tangled in the engine!

[RIP]

According to the local dealer and listening for it on the numerous GCs and Vs driving by this is a very common "problem". They have tagged it "the crickets". 90% of the time it's the lousy bearings they use in the idler pulleys. I bought a 96 GC new in 95 and still own it. Just after the warranty expired "the crickets" appearred. I changed both pulleys and the "crickets" were gone for about a year. I asked the dealer how important it was to fix this because I sure as hell didn't want to make changing pulleys an annual event. They said "on a 10 scale about a 5". I have been living with the noise for 7 years now without a problem. It's up to you how serious you take it. I have learned to live with it. In your shoes I would do as said previously. If that doesn't work change the pullies. If that fixes it then you know what the cause is when it comes back. Cheers!

[foofy]

Wow! I was not expecting so many replies so soon, thank you to everyone! Hopefully this chirping is just from the belt. I plan on going to my mechanic in the morning to see what he says about it and then will bring it to the dealer with a list of any problems so they can fix it. I think I'll pass on the a screwdriver idea, the mental picture of having my hair entangled in the pulley is too much to bear lol. If this is going to be a reoccuring pulley problem I can live with it, as long as the chirping goes away once the GC is warmed up and it doesn't cause any other problems. I had a Geo Storm that had constant pulley problems and the sound was horrific, I went through several pulleys and belts and ended up giving up on it after two years. I welcome any additional comments as the more knowledge I have the better! Thanks again!

[stuck with oldies]

I've had this problem alot. I replaced the idler pulley 3 or 4 times at the dealer. The design was changed on the pulley before the last change. So Chrysler recognized a problem there. However, the crickets returned shortly after that. I finally went to another garage and they walked out with a can of Silicone spray and shot the serpentine belt briefly and Eurika... the crickets stopped. I have since used this on a GM 350 that was starting to chirp also and it works. My 1996 Town and country now has a permanent can of silicone under the front seat. I keep an eye on the belt to watch for wear and will replace it when needed.. but I can buy 30 cans of spray for the cost of a belt. Hope this helps someone.

I have to keep them running...... The kids need new soccer shoes... hehehe

[vipergg]

To find out if its just the belt fill a spray bottle with water and while it is running spray the belt if the sound changes or goes away its the belt , if it is still there and the sound did not change then the idler is probably at fault.

[RIP]

Great idea!

[timd]

I tried the spraying water method to determine the belt was the cause. I found that certain brands of serpentine belts would chirp after relatively short use (NAPA, and others). GATES brand seemed to be the best with respect to non-chirping and longevity. My experience anyway. I have a spare NAPA brand belt that I took off after about 1000 miles cause it started "chirping".

[automps]

Originally Posted by foofy

I just purchased a 2002 Grand Caravan with 34,000 miles. During the test drive I did not hear any strange noises coming from the engine. The next time the engine was started was when I was leaving the car dealership (2 hours later and the engine was cooled down), I put my foot on the gas while it was in park and I heard a chirping noise. I looked under the hood and the noise was coming from the belt or the idler pulley, passenger side. I was hoping it was just a quirk and figured I would take the car home (since their service center was closed), let the car sit overnight and see what happened in the morning. The drive home was about 45 minutes and by the time I got home the noise was gone. When I started it this morning, the chirping noise started right away without even pressing the gas pedal. I then took it for about a 5 minute drive and it eventually subsided some, no longer chirping with my foot off the gas, only chirping when I pressed the gas pedal fairly hard. It seems as if the chirp goes away once the car is warmed up. This happens with the a/c on and off, not sure if that matters or not. Would a faulty idler pulley stop chirping once the car was warmed? Or, is this more than likely a misaligned or bad belt that stops chirping when it's warm? I am planning on taking it to the dealer tomorrow but want to have a little more knowledge before doing so. If anyone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

All you guys buying those aftermarket sep belts . Get one from the dealer its much better belt ! Look at it ,and compare too the aftermarket ,you will see its a lot darker material... My noise is gone for good. Just my 2 cents

[FordBoss88]

What was the final reslove for Foofy? I am now having the same problem. How do you service the belt?

The chirping is more pronounced with the A/C running.

Thank You

Originally Posted by foofy

I just purchased a 2002 Grand Caravan with 34,000 miles. During the test drive I did not hear any strange noises coming from the engine. The next time the engine was started was when I was leaving the car dealership (2 hours later and the engine was cooled down), I put my foot on the gas while it was in park and I heard a chirping noise. I looked under the hood and the noise was coming from the belt or the idler pulley, passenger side. I was hoping it was just a quirk and figured I would take the car home (since their service center was closed), let the car sit overnight and see what happened in the morning. The drive home was about 45 minutes and by the time I got home the noise was gone. When I started it this morning, the chirping noise started right away without even pressing the gas pedal. I then took it for about a 5 minute drive and it eventually subsided some, no longer chirping with my foot off the gas, only chirping when I pressed the gas pedal fairly hard. It seems as if the chirp goes away once the car is warmed up. This happens with the a/c on and off, not sure if that matters or not. Would a faulty idler pulley stop chirping once the car was warmed? Or, is this more than likely a misaligned or bad belt that stops chirping when it's warm? I am planning on taking it to the dealer tomorrow but want to have a little more knowledge before doing so. If anyone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

[redddogg60]

Originally Posted by FordBoss88

What was the final reslove for Foofy? I am now having the same problem. How do you service the belt?

The chirping is more pronounced with the A/C running.

Thank You

Has anyone mentioned A/C pump bearings. My Grand Caravan (3.8) does the same thing. It just started this spring. When I can't stand it anymore I'll put a new pump in. Ohio winters/Salt kill bearings. Hope this helps.