8/17/10 - Yesterday while driving home from work. I noticed when I pushed down the accelerator there was a ticking noise that was clearly heard near and/or around the glove department of my car.
Actually this particular noise started back in May and I had a mechanic look at it and at the time it was determined that my serpentine belt needed to be replaced.
Please note the following: (My timing belt broke while driving and replaced in 2/2009 and again in 7/2009 and again in 9/2009).
I took the car back to the auto shop who originally replaced my timing belt. Several days afterwards the same noise came back but at the time I was so frustrated with their service, I never returned.
The noise came and went for the past 2 1/2 months until yesterday when I was about 1/4 mile from my home the charging system light came on - never saw this happen before and then my power steering started to go! I was able to make several left and right turns before pulling into my garage and then I immediately shut off the car.
After the car cooled down. I checked the oil and all the other fluids and everything appears to be fine. However, I am afraid to start the car because if this problem happens to be timing belt related. I do not want to break the cylinder valves.
I have a warranty 24/24 parts and labor which means or I was told that it's either a 2 year warranty and/or 24,000 miles which ever comes first.
My initial mileage at the time my timing belt broke was 78,518 and now it reads: 97,422, which means I have driven 18,904 miles thus far and means that I am technically still under warranty for parts and labor.
What I am trying to determine if this is related to my timing belt as I do not want any out of pocket cost.
Based on my car manual the charging system light indicates that it could be a problem with the electrical charging system and/or loose generator drive belt.
Is the generator drive belt related to the timing belt area?
Please advise quickly as I am sitting at home trying to decide what to do and I am missing work which I cannot afford.
Thank you for your time and patience!
Actually this particular noise started back in May and I had a mechanic look at it and at the time it was determined that my serpentine belt needed to be replaced.
Please note the following: (My timing belt broke while driving and replaced in 2/2009 and again in 7/2009 and again in 9/2009).
I took the car back to the auto shop who originally replaced my timing belt. Several days afterwards the same noise came back but at the time I was so frustrated with their service, I never returned.
The noise came and went for the past 2 1/2 months until yesterday when I was about 1/4 mile from my home the charging system light came on - never saw this happen before and then my power steering started to go! I was able to make several left and right turns before pulling into my garage and then I immediately shut off the car.
After the car cooled down. I checked the oil and all the other fluids and everything appears to be fine. However, I am afraid to start the car because if this problem happens to be timing belt related. I do not want to break the cylinder valves.
I have a warranty 24/24 parts and labor which means or I was told that it's either a 2 year warranty and/or 24,000 miles which ever comes first.
My initial mileage at the time my timing belt broke was 78,518 and now it reads: 97,422, which means I have driven 18,904 miles thus far and means that I am technically still under warranty for parts and labor.
What I am trying to determine if this is related to my timing belt as I do not want any out of pocket cost.
Based on my car manual the charging system light indicates that it could be a problem with the electrical charging system and/or loose generator drive belt.
Is the generator drive belt related to the timing belt area?
Please advise quickly as I am sitting at home trying to decide what to do and I am missing work which I cannot afford.
Thank you for your time and patience!
Aug 18, 2010 at 9:06 AM
