C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Faint chirping noise?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 25, 2009 | 10:21 AM
  #1  
VaPuller's Avatar
VaPuller
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: Forest Va.
Default Faint chirping noise?

Howdy all,
Just purchased a '99 FRC. I luv it!! But, it has a really strange very light "chirping" noise under throttle. Does it even with very light throttle. Let off noise goes away apply noise is present. I believe it is coming from engine bay but it is kinda hard to pin point. Could it be an idler pulley? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as it is driving me crazy.
Thanks in advance
VaPuller
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2009 | 10:55 AM
  #2  
Eric D's Avatar
Eric D
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Default

VaPuller,

Can you get the noise with the car parked and revving the engine? Yes, it could be an idler pulley or tensioner, belt, harmonic damper, or a number of other items.
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2009 | 01:56 PM
  #3  
Got uid0's Avatar
Got uid0
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
Default

For me it was the ac tensioner pulley bracket.

Passenger side the lowest pulley on that side of the car. Easier seen from under the vehicle.

The bushing on the bracket wears out and causes the noise.

There are of course as others stated other pulleys that can cause noise.

I would check this one first.
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2009 | 05:25 PM
  #4  
egrand333's Avatar
egrand333
Pro
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 606
Likes: 18
From: burke va
Default

I purchased a 97 a few months ago and going through the reciepts I noticed that the lady had the idler tensioner replaced 4 times in 57,000 miles because of a "chirp". My sons 99 has sqeaks coming from everywere. I believe he gets rid of them by turning the radio up.(service writer at Chevy Dealer also said that " GM has an updated alternator for vehicle to help this issue" 09/2008)
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2009 | 06:55 PM
  #5  
VaPuller's Avatar
VaPuller
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: Forest Va.
Default thanks for the replies

To answer the one question, it only does it while driving and can not be duplicated in neutral while in the garage (actually doesn't do it in neural at any time). Sounds like most agree that it is an idler pulley or maybe the belt. Since posting I have read other posts that do indicate that there are some problems with the idlers used in that era. I think I'll start with the AC one first and work my way around. Again, thanks for the replies and I do praise this site for all its help.
VaPuller
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2009 | 08:27 PM
  #6  
Eric D's Avatar
Eric D
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Default

Originally Posted by VaPuller
To answer the one question, it only does it while driving and can not be duplicated in neutral while in the garage (actually doesn't do it in neural at any time). Sounds like most agree that it is an idler pulley or maybe the belt. Since posting I have read other posts that do indicate that there are some problems with the idlers used in that era. I think I'll start with the AC one first and work my way around. Again, thanks for the replies and I do praise this site for all its help.
VaPuller
From your postings I doubt that it will be the accessory drive system. Normally engine load makes no difference in belt type noises.

Does it chirp in sync with engine rpm or road speed?
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2009 | 10:41 AM
  #7  
VaPuller's Avatar
VaPuller
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: Forest Va.
Default reply

That's whats weird !! It is really not rpm related. It may get slightly louder as rpm increases but doesn't get faster. The other weird thing is that it does it even with very slight throttle and gets a little louder as throttle increases. The noise could be coming from "under" car ? It's really hard to tell but it is somewhere from say the seat area forward. It kinda sounds like a wheel bearing but doesn't change with speed or turning doesn't seem to affect it. ?????
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2009 | 04:36 PM
  #8  
TurboBerserker's Avatar
TurboBerserker
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 946
Likes: 2
Default

I've recently noticed a similar issue, but mine completely goes away if I lightly rest my foot on the clutch pedal (and, of course, if the pedal is pressed). In my case, the noise starts once the engine temp reaches 190-200.

TT bushing maybe?

Mine sounds like its coming out of the defroster vent in the dash when in the drivers seat.

I'll have to try it warmed up in neutral, but I believe it makes the noise then as long as the clutch is out.

My clutch is new -- it has about 700 miles on it, but the TT was out of a wrecked Z with 11k miles on it. I also have a Tick Adj MC and I did adjust it a second time to try to get rid of the sound (no joy).
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 26, 2009 | 08:35 PM
  #9  
DansVette's Avatar
DansVette
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 381
Likes: 3
Default

God help you if it's the crank pulley. Mine made similiar noise, turned out to be the crank pulley. Costs an arm and a leg to have it done, but if I knew before what I knew now, I would have never attempted the job myslef. Absolutely awful job.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2009 | 08:58 PM
  #10  
TurboBerserker's Avatar
TurboBerserker
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 946
Likes: 2
Default

Mine has a brand new crank pulley, so I'm sure that's not it.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Faint chirping noise?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:27 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE