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What’s causing a squeaking noise in my vehicle’s steering column?
John Paul, AAA Northeast's Car Doctor, answers a question from a reader who is curious about a mouse-like noise coming from the steering column.
Q. There is a squeaking noise coming from my vehicle’s steering wheel/column. Sounds like a mouse to me. It does not happen all the time and it does not seem to be caused by temperature. It only happens when I am making very minor changes to the wheel, like if the road turns slightly left or right. If I am parallel parking or making 360-degree turns it does not make any noise. The dealership said they could not hear the noise. I had the service manager listen to a video I took of the noise while I moved the steering wheel. He could not give me any answers. I hope you can shed some light on this issue.
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A. I suspect there is some piece of plastic trim, insulation, or even a wiring loom that is rubbing on the moving parts of the steering column. The only way to find it is to do a little disassembly and look for signs of wear marks.
Q. I bought my 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 new 18 years ago. It is in beautiful condition and I always fix any issue that comes up. I have a problem with my push-button four-wheel drive. I have a three button system – 2WD,4WD high, and 4WD low. The problem is when I go from 2WD to 4WD high or low I hear the transfer case engage the front axle but the 4WD light never shows the selection was made. The light just flashes “Service 4WD”. Also, I cannot get it into 4WD low. So far, I tested the push button switch, I replaced the actuator in the transfer case, tried replacing the 4WD module to no avail, and checked the usual ground problems. I do not know what else to do and I am afraid to go to a dealer and have them just throw parts at it.
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A. Since you have assessed or replaced all of the electrical components, power and ground circuits, the issue could be mechanical. At this point you need to look for a mechanical failure in the transfer case or front differential.
Q. I have a 2016 Jeep Compass that recently lost power as I was driving. There was no warning, it just shut down and I could not accelerate. It cranked but did not turn over, and the AAA tech said it might be the fuel pump. All my research supported this, so I replaced it. But today it just died again as it idled and threw a check engine light. It died several times, and again it struggled to start. Not sure if it could be a fuel pump or electrical or what, but it is a very recent preowned purchase with only 62,000 miles and this is obviously frustrating.
A. Lately, and this could be age related, the common issue we are seeing in Jeeps is a failure of the TIPM (total integrated power module) which is basically a fancy fuse box. The TIPM has several relays plugged into it including the fuel pump relay. Some further testing is needed but upon disassembly if corrosion is noted the TIPM will need replacement. If it is determined the TIPM needs replacement there are companies that rebuild them.
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Q. Regarding vehicle rust, I have found that a mixture of about three parts new oil and one part diesel fuel in a good garden sprayer works great for a rust preventative. Wash out all the body panels, nooks, and crannies, soak everything good. Twenty years later, rust free, and I live in the rust belt.
A. Although a good old-time solution that has been used for years, I am not sure the environmental people would like it. Many years ago, I worked for a short time in Vermont and there was a local shop that almost used the same mixture – waste oil instead of new oil, unless you wanted the premium upgrade to hydraulic oil. His customers’ vehicles never rusted. Today a better solution is a product like Waxoyl, that has both undercoating and crevice sealer.
Q. My 2021 Acura RDX that I purchased used has 15,000 miles. The brakes make loud squeaky noises early in my drive, then the noises go away. It almost sounds like the noise you hear when your brake pads are low. I took it to an Acura dealer and was told this is a normal sound because of the high performance brake pads and rotors. I feel like he is pulling my leg. I went online, and it seems like a common complaint from other owners. What are your thoughts on this?
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A. It is not unusual for brakes to make some noise on the first few applications. A combination of dampness and surface rust can lead to some noise. If the vehicle has factory brakes (which it should at 15,000 miles) they are a quality product, but I would not call them high-performance. At this point, short of changing the brake pads in an attempt to quiet the noise, I would call it normal.
Q. I have a 2012 Acura MDX with 60,000 miles. When should I get the timing belt changed?
A. Acura states that the timing belt should be changed when the number 4 comes up in the maintenance display. This translates to roughly 105,000 miles. Acura also goes on to say that if the vehicle is driven in severe conditions – heat, cold, off road – then replace the timing belt at 60,000 miles. If this were my Acura and I planned to keep it for a while more, I would replace the timing belt to err on the side of caution.
John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE-certified master technician. E-mail your Car Doctor question to [email protected]. Listen to the Car Doctor podcast at johnfpaul.podbean.com.
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