Squeaking under the hood, drifting backwards

[Londat]

Help!!!
My car Ford Taurus 2003 SES, has been squeaking under the hood off and on for months. I take the car in the noise stops so they can't help. Today I was at the red light the brake gave me resistance, the car drifted back everything was fine. About two hours later, at another red light car drifting bacK, check engine light, engine oil light, battery light, transaxle light all on. Turned car off everything fine no lights on dash but still squeaking under hood. It's not the brakes had new brakes put on in Feb
PLEASE HELP!!!!

[TOWN2TOWN CAR]

Originally Posted by Londat

Help!!!
My car Ford Taurus 2003 SES, has been squeaking under the hood off and on for months. I take the car in the noise stops so they can't help. Today I was at the red light the brake gave me resistance, the car drifted back everything was fine. About two hours later, at another red light car drifting bacK, check engine light, engine oil light, battery light, transaxle light all on. Turned car off everything fine no lights on dash but still squeaking under hood. It's not the brakes had new brakes put on in Feb
PLEASE HELP!!!!

Well the squeaking is probably the belt,might need to be replaced.and as for the the lights,im not sure. What do you mean drifting back?
Sorry not much help,anyone else want to give it a shot?

[shorod]

I wouldn't expect the belt to be making the noise if the engine is stopped, which I think is what Londat was claiming when he mentioned, "Turned car off...." Maybe the cooling fan was still running and causing the squeaking, or maybe you caught a mouse. I suppose it could be the Idle Air Control servo, but if the key is off, which it sounds like it was, that shouldn't be moving either.

Was it a pretty rhythmic squeaking?

Unfortunately, a squeaky cooling fan wouldn't help you out with the other issues you are experiencing.

-Rod

[Londat]

Hello Londa t Here
My 2003 Ford Taurus SES only squeaks when the engine is running. I think the car cut off by it self yesterday, that's when all the lights on the dash came on and the car drifted backwards. I was told because I was on a slight hill, and the car was still in drive. I turned the car off for less then a minute, turned it back on and everything was fine. I was also told that it sounds like the car was not all the way in gear. As for the squeaking the Ford dealer say that cn't help unless they hear the sounds, which never happens when I take the car in. They even kept my car for two days and nothing happened. My friend is telling me to get rid of the car and get a Toyota. I have an extended warranty which I've not used yet.TELL ME PLEASE WHAT CAUSES A CAR TO CUT OFF WHILE IT'S STILL IN DRIVE!!! STILL CONFUSED!!

[shorod]

Can you explain the drifting back a bit more? Are you saying the car is physically moving, even though you have your foot on the brake? Does this only happen when you are stopped on an uphill?

There are various things that can cause a car to stall while it's in drive such as a vacuum leak, faulty torque converter clutch, carboned up throttle plate, faulty Idle Air Control (IAC) servo, air entering after the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, etc. Did the dealership check the PCM for diagnostic codes? If not, you can also swing by your local chain auto parts store and most likely, they will have a scan tool that can read the codes.

-Rod

[Londat]

Londa T here again,
Hello Shorod thanks for the quick replies. The Drifting started yesterday, and i was on slight hills both times, but after that I went home let her sit for about three hours, drove again and all was fine. I've had the Taurus since Feb 2004. This car gives me no problems. In Feb 2007 I had to take her in to the dealer. They told me I needed to have my transmission flushed, and my transmission fluid change and I think the filter too. I also had to do new brakes. This cost me $ 496.00. About 2-3 weeks after the repairs that's when the squeaking started. The squeaking is not constant, and the dealer told me that sometimes that will happen if there's a dry spot on the fan belt, and when it rains a lot, but this never happened before I had the repairs done. As for the codes, will the dealer charge me to scan for the codes, but I have an extended warranty. STILL CONFUSED!!

[Willyum]

Is it a squeak or more like a chirp? The camshaft positioning sensor drive (CPS) will cause a chirping sound for several minutes when the engine is first run. If it is not corrected early in the problem is possible it could affect the sensor operation, causing engine running/lights on problems.

[shorod]

It sounds like there is probably nothing out of the ordinary here. The squeak/chirp probably is a belt issue. If you want to test that theory, get a can of brake cleaner and, with the engine running and the hood open, apply a short squirt of brake cleaner to the belt. Obviously be careful to avoid any moving items with the can and your body! If the noise briefly subsides, a new belt would probably solve the noise.

As for the drifting backwards when on a slight incline, if the car is dying or running roughly (like due to a vacuum leak), there probably is not sufficient vacuum to the brake booster which will effect the braking system. The power brakes on your car are vacuum assist, so a vacuum leak or poorly running engine will reduce vacuum assist at idle.

It is also possible that a poorly running engine could be shaking the body of the car enough that the squeak you are hearing is a vibrating dashboard or flashlight in the glovebox.

-Rod