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Vehicle chirps/squeaks while running at any speed, including at idle

Tiny
GARY Z
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 74,000 MILES
It can easily be heard at slow speeds or idle. The noise does not change speed as the vehicle goes faster or slower. It's just a steady chirp, chirp, chirp. Many mechanics have attempted to locate it, but cannot. It has been doing it for several years and seems to have no adverse side affects that I can tell, but it is annoying and people keep telling me that my van is making a weird noise.
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Wednesday, March 18th, 2020 AT 9:24 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
Hi,

Can you tell approximately where the sound is coming from? For example, under the hood, under the dash, a wheel (front or rear)?

This type of sound is usually related to a drive belt on the engine. However, I find it hard to believe a mechanic wouldn't have found that. If the sound is coming from under the hood, let me know. I have a few tricks to help locate it.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, March 18th, 2020 AT 9:29 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,413 POSTS
Does the van need to be running to hear the chirp or can you hear it with just turning the key on? Could you record the sound and post it on here so we can hear it, While recording could you move the phone around inside or closer to where it seems the noise is?
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Thursday, March 19th, 2020 AT 9:12 AM
Tiny
GARY Z
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The van needs to be running. I have a dumb-phone instead of a smart-phone so cannot record the sound. The location of the sound has been impossible to locate, even with a stethoscope, but it is coming from the area of the belt, pulleys, etc. It is not the belt or pulley's, however, as the chirping never changes speed. So, the noise is not affected by engine RPM. (And, the belt, pulleys, belt tensioner have all been changed)
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Thursday, March 19th, 2020 AT 11:25 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,413 POSTS
Does it matter if it is in gear? The description sounds like it could be electrical, like the leak detection pump. Shouldn't be hard to locate it though. Take a piece of water or heater hose, hold it tight to your ear and then use the end of it to track the sound, it will limit the sound to an area in front of the opening. Just be careful of the moving belt. It should let you at least track the sound to one component.
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Thursday, March 19th, 2020 AT 1:41 PM
Tiny
GARY Z
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I can't say that it is not the leak detection pump, as I have never even heard of this part. But the chirp does sound metallic, not any type of an electric noise that I have ever heard before. Question: What is the "leak detection pump".
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Thursday, March 19th, 2020 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
The purpose of a leak detection pump is to pressurize the fuel system checking for leaks. It closes the EVAP system vent so the system can be pressurized and tested for leaks. I attached a pic below of it. Your vehicle does have one under the engine (passenger side).

The idea that it doesn't change with vehicle or engine speed really limits things. As Steve mentioned, the pump could play a role. Take notice if that is the area it is coming from and let us know. By the way, Steve, good thought on this one.

Joe
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Thursday, March 19th, 2020 AT 3:14 PM
Tiny
GARY Z
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Can the leak detection pump make a type of chirp or any other strange noise when it's getting old? And, if yes, could the chirping of my van possibly be the leak detection pump?
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Thursday, March 19th, 2020 AT 3:30 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
Hi,

Interestingly, yes it could. It's a pump. To further the idea, it would not be affected by engine speed or vehicle speed. Could it be? Sure it could. However, don't just replace it without checking to see if that is where the sound is coming from. If you find it is, we will provide directions.

Let us know,

Joe
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Thursday, March 19th, 2020 AT 3:36 PM

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