My '03 SXT is making a jingling noise. Sounds like two glasses or bottles sitting close together and rattling against each other. I think that it may be a belt. Anyone out there experienced this before?

 

does the car have to be in motion for the noise to occur? Is there something that makes it happen or makes it worse? Has anything changed recently that may have caused this? How long has this been going on for?

 

Jingling? Like sleigh bells, lol? Try listening aroung the engine compartment and figure out where its comming from.

 

Actually, the noise does sound like little jingle bells. At first I thought it was something in the console, trunk or glove box rattling around. The noise is not related to engine acceleration or braking. It seems worst when the engine is cold and seems to go away after a few miles.

 

Best thing I can tell you is to start the car, pop the hood and look around, somethings gotta be hitting something.

 

that sounds really strange. It's in front and behind? Are you sure that something didn't get knocked loose and is rolling around inside your exhaust system? Did you suck a baby cat into your intake and his collar is jingling around in there? Seriously though, something's gotta be loose and the only way I can see it being in front, under AND behind you, it has to be either your mind is playing tricks with you on where it actuallly is, or its in your exhaust system. Your best bet would be to find for sure where the sound is coming from. I'm not playing on your intelligence here, but I really want to make sure.

 

I have worked on cars where the fan on the alternator is a little loose and rattled.

 

I did some further research into this problem Friday. No noise at idle, only in motion. Decided to take the car to my local Express Oil mechanic and ask him to take a look. After a drive and removing the front wheel, his determination was that the rust on the brake rotors was rubbing the pad due, therefore replace brakes. (I love those guys cause a few bucks tip for a no-charge look is well worth it ) This make some sense to me since the car has 45K miles on it and I bought it used. Mashing the brakes will cause it to stop, sometimes. I'll replace the pads and rotors and report the results. Anyone have a write up on an sxt brake replacement? I've done a bunch of disc brakes and am wondering if there is anything special to be aware of. TIA.

***Disk brake repair link***

I have used this writeup before to do my '01 Town and Country brakes. There is a section for drums and ABS.

http://www.allpar.com/fix.html

 

The jingling noise turned out to be RUSTY ROTORS. The rust was especially bad on the back side, and in the cooling vents, where it was coming off in large sized flakes. The Michigan road salt really did a number on those brakes. After $45k mi. the pads needed replacement too. $185 and a little wrenchin' later, I have new rotors and pads, and no jingling noise. Should be good for another 40K mi. I believe the jingling came from the ceramic pads on the front. I have never had a car with ceramics on it, that I know of, so SXT owners beware that the jingle may be a sign that service is needed. Hope this helps someone.