At some point, your car may start making unusual sounds that will require attention. These noises are audible warnings that might indicate issues within systems that could lead to long-term damage.
A common sound that could lead to a hefty repair bill is the one that resembles crickets, as it specifies problems that could shorten your vehicle’s life span due to damage caused to crucial components. On the other hand, the noise may just be annoying without any real danger of getting worse. The problem is, you don’t know until you find out what’s causing the noise.
There are a handful of reasons why your vehicle may produce a cricket-like sound. You can chalk it up to different issues within varying systems, including the engine, exhaust, suspension/steering, brake, and transmission.
Some engine-related issues may result in a cricket-like sound being produced under the hood with the engine running.
A worn serpentine belt may slip and cause unusual noises in the engine bay. That being said, a slipping belt may only slip without making noise, so there’s that. If you see polished areas in between the belt grooves, replace the belt even if it isn’t cracked; that belt is slipping.
But a worn-out water pump bearing may allow the pulley to wobble out of line and be the cause of belt chirping. Idler pulleys and the belt tensioner can be worn on the inside so that it causes chirping that may only happen when the A/C compressor is engaged, as you see in the following video:
Similarly, there are exhaust system components that may produce a cricket-like sound once they need repair or replacement. Exhaust hangers can break and allow movement and squeaks.
For example, a cracked exhaust manifold results in abnormal airflow, resulting in the exhaust gases escaping and producing a chirping sound. In fact, any small exhaust leak can whistle and chirp. Besides the annoying sound, you may also notice reduced performance and fuel efficiency since the engine doesn’t perform well if the manifold is damaged.
Caution: Any exhaust leak underneath the vehicle needs to be fixed. On an older car, it can allow carbon monoxide to enter the vehicle, which is very dangerous, even life-threatening.
If the noises are accompanied by issues such as difficulty steering or pulling to one side, then you may need to get your suspension system checked for worn-out parts.
Old brake pads may produce a squealing sound when braking due to the worn-out friction material, or they may squeal if the friction material is just badly glazed. Excessive amounts of dust in drum brakes can cause squealing noises. Similarly, issues with the brake rotor can lead to vibrations that manifest as chirping noises when you step on the brakes.
Sometimes, a solenoid may produce clicking sounds that resemble cricket noises. Usually, however, solenoids just click and sound nothing at all like crickets.
Air conditioning problems, such as those caused by a malfunctioning AC compressor or a blocked AC compressor, may cause the system to produce cricket-like sounds when the AC is on due to worn out internal components in the compressor, a bad hub bearing, or excessive high pressure due to overcharging with refrigerant or not enough airflow across the condenser.
Pinpoint the cause of the cricket sound. If it’s inside the car, it may be trim-related and relatively easy to fix. But finding the source of the noise is the most important first step, followed by deciding what needs to be done to safely put a stop to it.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.