1994 Ford Escort Car makes grinding noise when idle or chan

SHADOWSTHORNE

MEMBER
1994 FORD ESCORT

Noises problem
1994 Ford Escort 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

My car just started making a wierd grinding noise on the way to work last night, it only makes the noise when I shift gears or when I am idling at a stop sign, I noticed during the grinding noise the rpms on my engine fluctuate and drop and my headlights dim. Eveverything is fine while I am in gear and moving. Also noticed that my heater fan is not running nor is my windshield wipers or stereo. Was wondring if this is a symptom of something wrong with my alternator or something else.

2 Replies

DAVE H

MECHANIC
13,384 POSTS

Could be the bearings in the alternator breaking down. Or the tensioner. The symptoms your describing point to alternator. Apart from the changing gear part. If it's alternator you would expect the noise constantly? Perhaps it's just more noticeable at those times. Go underhood with engine running to see if you can pinpoint where noise is coming from? And get back to us with your opinion?

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Sunday, November 30th, 2008 AT 6:13 AM

SHADOWSTHORNE

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Checked the engine in the morning and found the oil was very low and looked like it was getting worn out (very dark), added some slick 50 and filled it back up and the noise stopped, the wippers started working back not sure what happened to that, still watching the alternator in case it is having intermittent problems but everything seems to be working fine again. Found out my blower wires had gotten coroded and looks like there had been a short sometime in the past, so I used bicarb soda to clean the contacts and the wires and taped up the bare parts so it shouldnt short out again and the blower seems to be working fine now. :P hopefully will not have any more episodes, was rather trippy to drive at night in a rain storm without wipers and with the lights dimming everytime I changed gears.

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Friday, December 5th, 2008 AT 5:45 PM