I have a 93 sc400 and it's making a weird chirping noise from the engine. The engine light also came on temporarily. Does anybody have any idea what this could be? I never had any issues with the engine at all and has 197,000 miles on it.

I'm going to get a diagnostic check on it soon as I don't like to mess around whenever the engine light comes on. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

You're probably hearing a chirping pulley. You could use some belt dressing to minimize the noise. Just need to pin point which pulley is creating the chirp.

 

Thanks man, but the noise seems like it's coming from the within the cam itself. When I lifted the hood it sounded like that was where the noise was coming from. Initially when I started the car up I would hear the noise then the engine light would temporarily come on then go off after the noise goes away.

You would hear the noise come on while driving, but then the engine light wouldn't come on...just some weird event goin' on..... I guess to be safe I should have a shop run a diagnostic check on the engine to make sure everything is ok.

I also never gave the car a tune up....just oil and filer changes...I don't trust the local shops for tune-ups as safe as a tune up may be, but I think sometimes even mechanics from those certified shops can screw things up.

 

*update*....took it to the shop and the mechanic stated that it needs a starter and that it's ,most likely going to cost over $700.00 since they have to remove the engine to get to it..aggh...at least I know what the problem is tho.

 

The starteer doesnt run while the engine is idling. How can it be the starter?

The starter on the SC400 is located above the flywheel, so it is in the middle of the engine. Just the top of the engine has to be removed. If you feel inclined to replace the starter, go ahead but my starter makes noise on my 92 SC and I will replace it once the starter fails...

 

The starter doesn't do anything once the engine is running, does it? That doesn't seem like it would be the source of the chirping noise. Maybe there are multiple issues...

If it does indeed need a new starter, then $700 is probably a pretty good deal. I think the starter alone is $200, and it's a massive undertaking to get it out of there. $500 worth of labor sounds on the low side, considering I was quoted that much for knock sensors which are half (or less) as much work.