I need some help please.....

[Sp3cops70]

This is very difficult to explain so i will try my best......

Everytime I turn the car on in the mornings or when i leave it parked for more than approx. 30 min. and i put it in drive this happens...

I hear a sound like.....crunching or crackling coming from the front end somewhere..... it just happens for maybe the first foot after taking off then its gone and it won't happen again til the next time the car is parked for a while....like example when i go to the mall or the market.

And when i first take off and hear the sound the headlights tend to dim while the phenomenon happens..like if they lose some power during it.

Now this is where i think it might have to do with the brake system...If i take off to fast after putting it in drive... after its been parked for a while....I hear the sound and then the BRAKE/ABS light comes on and the brakes are very lose and the pedal goes all the way down and the steering wheel gets real hard to turn ( like if there is no power steering fluid ) ....so what works is me turning off the car and pumping on the brakes til it gets sturdy and hard. then i turn the car back on the abs/brake light goes away then i have to take off slow, let the noise happen then after that it is good driving.....

I explained it as best as i could...any ideas would really help..thanks!

1997 gtgp. 163,000 miles.

[GTP Dad]

Based on your description I would offer the following items to check. First, battery connections and grounds. The ABS system must have 14 volts to operate properly if you are not getting that then you may have the symptoms you describe. You might also want to check the serpentine belt and the belt tensioner. If the tensioner is sticking you would hear the noise you speak of when you start the car. This could also account for the problem with the lights dimming as the belt is not tight and is causing the alternator to drop out for a couple of seconds and then when it catches again it will charge properly. I don't know if it is the solution but it will give you a place to start.

[Sp3cops70]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

Based on your description I would offer the following items to check. First, battery connections and grounds. The ABS system must have 14 volts to operate properly if you are not getting that then you may have the symptoms you describe. You might also want to check the serpentine belt and the belt tensioner. If the tensioner is sticking you would hear the noise you speak of when you start the car. This could also account for the problem with the lights dimming as the belt is not tight and is causing the alternator to drop out for a couple of seconds and then when it catches again it will charge properly. I don't know if it is the solution but it will give you a place to start.

I appreciate the help.....just so we are on the same sheet of music....It only does it after its been parked for more than approx. 30 min. and it does it when i first take off...like for the first foot or so then the car and the brakes are fine til the next time i leave it parked for a while.???

[richtazz]

I agree it sounds like an electrical problem, and when you first start the car, the abs motor is trying to recalibrate itself, and that is the noise you hear and why your brakes are spongy at first.

[jessep28]

I wonder if it's not related to when the car does the ABS test.

I hear a 1 second pulsing sound the first time after I put the car in gear and it starts to roll. Doesn't show up again til I start the car again and start moving.

[tomekeuro85]

the same exact thing happens to me. its like a grinding or buzzing sound that starts a couple of feet after i start rolling out of the garage, and it only happens when the car has been parked for a while.