Hey all,

The wifes GP with 139k on it has started ringing like an old phone or kids bicycle bell.

No codes.

It sounds like the ringing is coming from the harmonic balancer. It's definately coming from somwhere along the serpentine belt.

Would a bad HB make this sort of noise and should it be replaced? I don't see any off balance wobbling..just the noise. What happens when this part goes bad? Just want to educate myself.

Thanks

sometimes they hammer or knock slightly when you turn the car off.

As its at idle and "ringing" just slightly open the throttle to raise the rpm's. If the noise goes away slightly, your balancer rubber has probably rotted away.

You could also just remove the serpentine belt and try to turn the balancer by hand. If you can move it back and forth, its toast.

Check ZZP used section, I think the have balancers for around 20 bucks.

Do you have the noise with the main serpentine drive belt removed and engine running. You can run the engine for several minutes just on battery power.

Does it only ring with the a/c off? Could be clutch drive dragging- since you have the V-5 compressor...

My A/C compresser pully was doing the same thing, ringing like a phone. While the engine was running, I twisted the outside of the pulley a bit to stop it from ringing. I was able to spray some white lithium grease on the outside of the pully to quiet it down without spraying the belt. I guess the next step is to replace the entire pulley. However, so far, everything is working properly and no more noise.

The a/c clutch ringing is a well known problem- and I have all the pertinent info on what causes it and how to easily fix it- if you are interested. The key to it- is if it only rings when the a/c is disengaged.

Although it is possible I've never had an a/c clutch air gap off that much to cause metal on metal ringing or generating a specific frequency related sound. Normally you get a rattling sound when the clutch is disengaged. Best to check for metal shavings at the area around the a/c clutch if this is the case or turn on the a/c and see if noise changes.

Does the front of the a/c compressor look like this- with the metal shavings as mentioned above? If so- this is most likely the cause of your ringing-- or as I refer to it as a rattle or dragging sound.

http://idle-hourranch.com/V5ClassicClutchDragMetalFragments.JPG

Not that I'm aware of. The first time the ringing started was last year. I lubricated the outside whatever it's called and so far the noise only came back once, then I lubricated it again. I'm probably masking the problem but the belt is still tight and the noise has not come back. Probably the red-neck way of making it go away until I need to replace it

The bearings in my alternator just went out and was making a loud noise. Take the belt loose and spin the pulley by hand. Mine made a definite metal to metal grind but there was no play in the shaft. Had new bearings installed and now it is quiet as a mouse when you spin the pulley. Pretty easy check.
An alternator-starter shop can put new bearings in for less than half, maybe even one third the cost of a new one. Mine ran $45 plus tax.

All:

Thanks, for all of the responses. However, I have not been able to duplicate the original problem.

We'll keep an eye on it in the event the problem comes back.