2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Strange noise

[thesandman22js]

Pretty sure it's the alternator. Our 2003 Town & Country with the 3.8 Liter was making the same noise. Had a new alternator installed and fixed it. Hope this helps.

[NelsonandClayton]

those alt have a clutch built into the pulley and they make strange noises. go to a place that fixes alt-starters and get a new pulley for 75.00 or for 10.00 get a solid one,they also work great and are cheaper. Clayton A

[KirkLives]

Sounds like the A/C compressor...like a bad bearing inside..it works, but is noisy..Ever do the Long screwdriver/stethescope test on the units under-hood? You can get on for a few $ at most auto parts stores, and see what item is causing the Most noise..Mine was the A/C, similar noise, and then the water pump and idler pulleys all went out within 1000 miles..slightly diff. noises, picked them out with the 'scope.......try it...

[majorchampionships]

@mikepaulhamus Surprinsgly the noise has since gone away for a while..except I believe it has now translated into a constant high pitch noise that gets higher the faster you go. You still hear some clinking in idle...just not as bad, but you definitely hear a completely different noise when sitting in idle or driving then I ever have before.

[britnii13]

i will give 1000 dollars cash like it is

[jagnew8]

Mine was making this noise and it was the alternator. It has what is I think is a built in clutch on the pulley. It had wore out and sounded just like that. Still charged but lots of noise. I bought a used alternator and it was good to go. Hope this helps.

[majorchampionships]

@jagnew8 We just changed the alternator for the 3rd time I think in the last 2 years. We literally put a new one in about 1 month ago...and then went on a week long trip to disney world (drove from Indiana) and the noise became much worse as the trip went along. I know its not the alternator.

[jagnew8]

Mine was making this noise and it was the alternator. It has what is I think is a built in clutch on the pulley. It had wore out and sounded just like that. Still charged but lots of noise. I bought a used alternator and it was good to go. Hope this helps.

[majorchampionships]

My father in law and I kind of wonder if its the timing belt. We had to open up the top of the oil reservoir to replace a seal, and it was NASTY..chunks of old oil, etc... so the engine itself probably isn't in that great of condition.

[mrdarrell95]

I posted my own video for you to compare with

2001 dodge caravan 3.3 girgle muffle noise

[mrdarrell95]

like I said before my van has the two same noises. one is a tick or clatter noise in the top end, which I hear is very common on these motors. the muffle noise is what drives me crazzy. still makes that noise with the belt off. I am looking around the egr valve and air filter, throttle area ? any ideas or if you find a anwser please let me know

[mrdarrell95]

well i just bought my van it runs and drives very smooth but also has that noise I have looked all over the motor and can't seem to find the noise. like I said I did take off the belt and ran the motor, and still made noise. no pullys were spinning

[mrdarrell95]

my van has the same noise. I took of the serpintine belt and still makes the noise. So it is not any of the pully. still dont know what it is. any ideas let me know

Darrell

[majorchampionships]

@mrdarrell95 What is weird is the noise randomly goes away on its own sometimes. For the last 3 months I haven't really heard it, and if I do its very light or muffled. It's done this before, where it is doing it bad for months, then stops, then comes back. Drives me nuts.

[asecobra]

Sounds like a bad water pump.... Notorious

[majorchampionships]

@asecobra The waterpump was replaced, unless it was just a coincidence the brand new water pump I purchased was also bad.

[stringsbytoby]

I would probably agree with your assessment. The tensioner and idle pulley usually get changed together. I am doing my wife's van this weekend, along with the notorious sway bar bushings and links.