"Chirping crickets" noise...

[mconstable]

So, sounds like an army of chirping crickets have resided in my engine bay... can't remember if this indicates bad water pump, or power steering pump?

 

[Motorhead]

With the engine running, spray the serpentine belt with water, glass cleaner and see if the noise goes away. A dry belt can mimic a bad bearing.

 

[flyby night]

I have also had the spring in the belt tensioner make noise as the belt oscillated the spring. There was alot of rust in the spring area of the tensioner.

Check your power steering oil level and look for leaks at the water pump as well.



I have isolated many belt versus bearing problems as Motorhead described as well. Great advice!

 

[Hitec.Redneck]

Check the idler pulley, replaced it that fixed my chirping noise.

 

[CPittman]

Most likely a frayed serpentine belt and a worn idler pulley - replace both.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Did you ever replace your alt bracket? The stamped metal ones on our 03's were prone to cracking at which point they would cause chirps, especially at shutdown. They were replaced by a cast part.

 

[RVTRKN]

Tensioner, and you might as well change the serpentine belt, then go from there. Keep your old belt for an emergency, The tensioner can cause your belt to track wrong and then ruin the belt.