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Strange thing happened on the beach

4K views 34 replies 11 participants last post by  Sarah325 
#1 ·
So something very strange happened today. I was on the beach as I am every weekend. When I started up getting ready to leave I depressed the clutch and it made a squealing noise which I thought was the throw out bearing. All I wanted to do was to get off the beach so if need be I can get towed. I got out and didn’t even air up just started home. On the way I noticed that nothing on the dash was working, no radio, not signals, and the airbag warning light was on . As I drove home every time I had to shift the squealing noise happened.. Then the strangest thing happened, everything on the dash started working and the squealing noise when I depressed the clutch stopped. It happed one more time later in the day same thing, clutch started squealing and every thing on the dash stopped working. A few miles later all was good again.

Has anyone ever had this happen to them or have you heard of this? By the way I have a 2001 Sport with 4L 5 speed.
 
#3 ·
My story is pretty close. The first week I had mine, I did not put the key in all the way into ignition, would start but no radio and it made a strange sound from clutch also. Ever since I make sure the key is all the way in, No problems since>. 01 sport 4.0l, 5sp.
 
#5 ·
I think that's been happening to mine lately. The key hasn't been snapping back to the ignition point probably because it's been rained on so much. But it sounds horrible. Now that I know how to fix it, I just turn the key back when it does it.
 
#6 ·
Thank you for the input, it wasn't the starter it would only happen when I pressed the clutch in but that only happened when the dash power was out. Everything I know about jeeps and cars tell me the two should have nothing to due with each other but yet it happened twice. I actually went to a local repair shop planning to leave it for a new clutch and throw out bearing installed but it stopped doing it when I got there. Another thing I should mention is recently I have been caught in the rain topless. I don’t know if getting the dash wet could have been a contributor to the power outages.
 
#8 ·
Well I went out and tried to recreate the problem by not inserting all the way in but I couldn’t get it to do it again. I’m guessing that if it was the throw out bearing it wouldn’t stop making noise and I would hear something when I partially depress the clutch. What do you guys think would the throw out bearing just stop making noise if it was bad or going bad?
 
#9 ·
I have to follow this one. Mine did the same thing but it hasnt fixed itself. All was good then after stopping to look at a job at is acting like yours. Push clutch pedal in and get a horrible squealing/ grinding type noise. I cant say that I noticed anything with the gauges though. Im planning on doing a new clutch as well but I have to finish redoing the garage first. Everything is packed away in a PODS unit. I hope you figure it out.
 
#10 ·
Did you notice if the radio and signal lights worked? Even the airbag warning light was on. I shut it off when I got to the shop and when I restarted it everything worked and no more clutch noise. If it wasn't for the tie in to the dash power I would think it's just a bad throw out bearing. I was starting to think sand had gotten into the clutch area and caused the noise. When I got home I hosed down the underside as I always do but when I started it the noise and the power issue started again. I shut it off and checked the fuses. Restarted and all was fine again. This morning all is fine.
 
#12 ·
Tom, yours does sound like the bearing but let me know what it ends up being. I'm going to hold off on doing anything major till I get a better understanding of what it is only because it seems tied into the power outages. I just hoping someone has had the samething happen and has a solution.
 
#16 ·
If it's not happening all of the time I would guess it's not the throw out bearing in the clutch. It's my oppinion that it's your belt slipping. Replace your belt and make sure its tight. I'm sure that your belt was probably wet and a little loose or warn. The reason you would only hear it when you depressed the clutch was because the motor didn't have a load on it and in turn makes the engine speed up a little. Belts are not that expensive ($17) and I would bet that by replacing it you don't have the problem again. Just my .02
 
#18 ·
The squealing is very likely your throwout bearing. It only spins when you step down on the clutch pedal so the symptom points right at the throwout bearing.

The squealing has no relationship to your dash electronics not working.

My best advice is to stop wheeling on the beach. Salt water is the WORST possible thing to expose your Jeep to, it destroys electrical connections and does bad things to steel and bearings... like throwout bearings. And there is no way to adequately rinse all the salt off of everything the salt gets into. Salt gets everywhere and it is highly corrosive. I lived on the beach for years and even items in my storeage room rusted/corroded dramatically faster.
 
#19 ·
Jerry, Grat advice on the beach thing as I grew up on the Washington coast and saw my fair share of rust too. The reason that I am leaning twards the belt is due to the loss in power as well. Squeeling and power loss is due to a belt slipping and the alternator not being able to keep up with the load being demanded by the vehicle. Don't believe me? Go out and pour dish soap on your belt and they turn everything in your jeep on at the same time and see how all the lights react. I'm not in this for a pissing match but I have seen this many times. If it was a throw out bearing it would happen everytime you press on the clutch. Once a bearing starts to go it soesn't just get better and go away. Jerry, You have helpped me out alot since I have been involved in this forum and your advice is always solid. I normaly would just sit back and let you answer but I have to disagree on this one.
 
#22 · (Edited)
...The reason that I am leaning twards the belt is due to the loss in power as well. Squeeling and power loss is due to a belt slipping and the alternator not being able to keep up with the load being demanded by the vehicle.
The below is why I suggested his squealing was coming from the throwout bearing...

... I depressed the clutch and it made a squealing noise
The throwout bearing is what will squeal when the clutch pedal is being stepped on. I highly doubt the squeal he described is being made by the serpentine belt since it happens when he steps down on the clutch pedal. :)
 
#23 ·
Jerry, I always look for your comments and advice but this one is very strange. Yes it squeal when I depressed the clutch which is why I drove to the shop but during the entire drive the radio was out the airbag warning light was on and no turn signals. After talking to the shop about an appointment to replace the clutch I went to go home and everything on the dash worked and the squealing was gone. When I got home I hosed down the underside and it happened again. Power out on the dash and the squealing back. I shut it off restarted everything worked squealing gone. As I mentioned above I know the two have nothing to do with each other but it happened. Since I have been driving the jeep with on problems.

About beach driving I know rust is the price I have to pay for it that why I always hose it down when I get home. I have a beach house and deal with the problem everyday.
 
#25 · (Edited)
It is of course impossible to know what the squeal you described exactly sounds like. But when you say the squeal happens when you step on the clutch, that is a throwout bearing. Stepping on the clutch is not going to cause the serpentine belt to slip.

The dash lights etc. will not shut off due to the alternator slowing down from a (perhaps) slipping belt. That is a separate issue caused by a faulty, loose, or perhaps corroded electrical connector caused by your Jeep's repeated salt water exposure.
 
#24 ·
So lets think about this for a second.......common denominator......WATER? Maybe a wet slipping belt? Would answer both symptoms? Was wondering if you have ever seen a bearing go out and they magically renew itself? Could happen I suppose? I would personally try the $17/10min. fix before the $100 something 4-5hr job. Although Jerry knows his jeeps and I am sure there will be a clutch in the future. I'm done. White flag Jerry.
 
#26 ·
In the past with other vehicles when the bearing was going bad I was able to feel and hear the bearing if I lightly placed my foot on the clutch pedal but I don't hear or feel anything. As you can guess I don't want to get stuck on the beach but I also don't want to send $600 for something I don't need.
 
#27 ·
Check ignition position. Same thing happened to me. Key was stuck to "start" therefore disabling all dash lights and stereo. The sound you're hearing is the ring gear on the starter popping out when the clutch safety switch is activated and grinding against the flywheel. I was pretty spooked and embarrassed because it happened on the way out of a car meet!! I felt like a total dunce after I noticed.
 
#30 ·
You hit the nail on the head. I spent all night thinking of what the tie-in could be and came up with the same conclusion. The switch must not have sprung back and every time I depressed the clutch the starter would engage. Because it only happened when I depressed the clutch I thought it was related to the clutch and didn’t even think of the starter. Now I have to see what I need to do to the switch to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Thank you for the help.
 
#28 ·
There is one other thing that can cause noise when you press in on the clutch. The thrust bearing. When they start to go they allow the flywheel assembly and crank to slide forward in the block. It does not take much movement to make a belt make noise or a flywheel to come in contact with something inside of the bell housing . Easy to tell, open the hood,Start and stop the motor, remove the key. then have someone step on the clutch as you feel the lower pulley for movement. Max movement is .010. yep that is 10 thousands of an inch. If it looks suspesious then get a prybar and pry the pulley back and forth. Listen for the clunk. And pull the belt off and feel your pullies for looseness or grit in the bearings. Then start the truck and work the clutch with the belt off. Only for a few minutes.
 
#29 ·
I've had the same type of squeeling sound come from my wifes 5 speed Olds Alero. Push in the clutch and it would make noise. It turned out to be the belt tensioner, under load it was fine but push in the clutch it would squeel. If you have one then check it, if you can wiggle it then the bearings ae bad.
 
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