99 Navigator

[Boyan]

When I start the car , it is making a slight humming/winding noise from the engine and a little gingle.

It runs the same and rides the same . what is that noise ?
The car is on 120,000miles

I just took the car on a 800mile trip , after 650miles after getting gas , I started it and it was making the noise. Is it the alternator?
Transmission , or the belts?

any clue.

[v8_dave]

Sounds sorta vague to me, with alot of things that can make the noise. I usually decide by walking all around and down low on the car to see where it is loudest. Then I would try a big old towel or something covering places to see if it gets quiter. Just be careful with it near the manifold and moving parts. I would inspect the belt first. Anyone else?

[cason1]

I would say to change the belt first but it very well may be a bearing about to go. The idler pulley, tensioner pulley and alternator pulley are some of the ones that are quite common for replacement. I had to change the idler and tensioner on my Towncar at 190k but they can go sooner and now my alternator is whining a little bit too so it is getting changed very soon.

[Boyan]

If the alternator is going bad does it make a ringing noise? ,and will the check engine light come on ?


this is my first time on this site , thank you for your advice

[AZLincolnMercury]

As Dave said...go outside pop the hood and try to pinpoint where the noise is coming from;) does it sound like its coming from the alt?
Good Luck,
Joe

[AZLincolnMercury]

When do you hear the noise? At idle? Does it become louder when you give it gas?

Ford trucks are known to have whining power steering pumps…try turning the wheel to see if it gets louder.

Just start turning things on/off listening for the noise.... either getting louder or stopping… air conditioning on/off, shift from park to drive. Etc etc :D

[Boyan]

there is a ringing/jingle type of noise when i first start the car by the front fan.
then when it warms up a little , the slight humming

maybe when the fan kicks in .

is there more than one fans?

everything else is normal. stop ,go , shifting, parking , idle.

[Sysanalyst]

When I start the car , it is making a slight humming/winding noise from the engine and a little gingle.

It runs the same and rides the same . what is that noise ?
The car is on 120,000miles

I just took the car on a 800mile trip , after 650miles after getting gas , I started it and it was making the noise. Is it the alternator?
Transmission , or the belts?

any clue.

Our 1999 Expedition did the same at around 40K miles. Turns out it was a faulty fan clutch causing the fan to spin too fast.

[nailfoot]

Our 1999 Expedition did the same at around 40K miles. Turns out it was a faulty fan clutch causing the fan to spin too fast.

That would make a roaring sound, alright. Also puts undo stress on the belt. My Townie's fan clutch is due for replacement.

Try turning the fan by hand (with the battery disconnected!). If it is very hard to turn, the clutch is locked up. Make sure you are working on the fan powered by the belt, not the fan powered by the electric motor.

[Steve Moran]

Take a long bladed screwdriver and place the tip on the alternator housing, idler pully mount, belt tensioner arm, water pump housing, power steering pump housing, and any other part you think the sound is coming from.
place your hand as a fist grasping on the handle near the top end, then place your ear on your fist. This will create one of the best stethescopes you will find. Dowel rods, plunger handles, redde rod / all thread rod will work well too.
Ofcourse use caution as you will need the engine running.

[Boyan]

Its the Climate control that's making the noise.

The noise changes every time i turn the AC on and off
its bad when I first start the car.

[Sysanalyst]

Its the Climate control that's making the noise.

The noise changes every time i turn the AC on and off
its bad when I first start the car.
AC working okay? Wonder if the charge is low/missing system lube. Maybe a brinnelled bearing.

[AZLincolnMercury]

Its the Climate control that's making the noise.

The noise changes every time i turn the AC on and off
its bad when I first start the car.

AC compressors do make noise when they are going. My cougar’s compressor started making noise and then blew the front seal spraying die (and R12:eek:) all over the engine. Compressor install labor can be expensive. I had to put one in my sable this year and it ran nearly $1k….but that car also has its engine sideways and I can’t even touch the compressor let alone work on it. A Navi should likely run less since its much easier to work on.