Just bought a beautiful forrest green '96 SE and it has a few problems (one being no cold A/C, but I'm here to talk about noise). My father and I drove the car before I bought it, but didn't notice the sound we heard after we drove away. Keep in mind we just bought it today (Sat. 6/7/02) and have not had that much time to investigate ourselves or take to a shop.

Description:
1) First noticed after we stopped for my first tank of gas. We turned the car back on and heard this distinct noise.
2) Sound seemed to go away after sitting for awhile, but came and went as we came to stoplights.
3) Very loud! but I have yet to pinpoint its origin
4) Thought I smelled something odd. Burnt plastic is the closest thing I can recall.
5) We drove from just outside Atlanta, GA to Asheville, NC (3.5 hrs to you west coast boys), and the tachometer stopped reading correctly somewhere inbetween. It only registers to 2k now. Related to the noise?

6) I cannot think of how to accurately describe the sound, but to say it was grinding or something like grinding. I will work at getting a sound byte for you.

The car drives fine, but I don't need to be heading somewhere important only to have the tranny drop out half way there.
If you have suggestions on how to diagnose this problem, your comments and suggestions are, as always, appreciated.
-W

 

not sure what the problems are but they sound serious. Take the car back to wherever you bought it and have them fix it.

 

There is no, "just take it back option", but I'm sure I will hear that many times before I get the car right. I just want to get an idea of what it is before I have a shop look at it on monday. Thanks,
-W

 

We are going to need a lot better description than this, if its such a distinct noise what does it sound like. Where is it coming from? There is a lot of knowledge here but we our car's make more than one sound....give us some details and you will get a lot more help...

 

As for the noise:
Probably the best discription is that it sounds like a rock tumbler or maybe a loud intake. I took a little more time to try and pinpoint its origin. Seems to be coming from the passenger side, like where you can most visibly see the belts.

Thanks for the help.

 

6) I cannot think of how to accurately describe the sound, but to say it was grinding or something like grinding. I will work at getting a sound byte for you.

The car drives fine, but I don't need to be heading somewhere important only to have the tranny drop out half way there.
If you have suggestions on how to diagnose this problem, your comments and suggestions are, as always, appreciated.
-W [/B][/QUOTE]

Uh oh, grinding sound?? Let's hope you don't have a bad tranny... how many miles do u have on the car?

 

Does the sound only come on when your A/C Compressor engages? If it's coming from the belt area, try this... Open your hood, let your car idle, and turn on your A/C compressor. If you hear grinding when it is on, the bearing in your A/C compressor is shot. You'll need to rebuild or replace the compressor. These symptoms will also cause the burning rubber smell, as the belts do not properly rotate on the A/C pulley. I had the same exact problem that you are describing. Check it out, and reply to let us know what you found.

Edited text:

I'm almost positive you have the same problem I had. I would have described mine pretty much the same way. The reason you mainly hear it at stoplights is because when the car is moving, the belts move faster, and the pulleys tighten. The sound from the bearing in your compressor diminishes when these conditions exist. When you slow down, the belts/pulleys don't move as fast, and there is more play in the pulleys, causing the sound you hear. The wobbling/play in the pulleys is probably what wore out the bearing in the first place.

 

The car has 108k and does anyone know how much it costs to replace the a/c unit? Parts only, then parts and mechanic. Thanks!

 

If you bought this car from a dealer (used is applicable considering you surely paid more for a 96 max than whatever the customary cut off for used car purchases is for your state), most states have laws protecting you in the first 30-90 days wherein the dealer is responsible for repairing the car or refunding you the purchase price and taking the car off your hands. Contact your local County Consumer Protection Agency ASAP for details applicable to your state and situation. Why pay for it if you dont have to, especially considering you JUST bought this car?

Good luck!

 

Thanks for your concern, and help. I've put this topic under another name if you're still interested.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....hreadid=127323