Weird Car Problems: The Explained and Unexplained

A car might speak in its own language filled with squeaks, bangs, and thuds. To an untrained ear, these noises can quickly become background noise until something extraordinary happens.  Some cars create minor inconveniences that are easy to identify and rectify quickly. But, if you are unlucky, you can run into a major vehicle breakdown leading to expensive repairs. However, these problems can be identified by common car noises and understanding what they mean. Similarly, a potential fault in the vehicle can also be identified by different vehicle odors that you should never ignore.

Wise drivers know that preventive car maintenance and routine repairs keep troubles at bay, but some symptoms are mysterious and often hard to explain. Read on about some of the most bizarre car problems that can cause trouble and bring your vehicle to a complete stop. Let your Halloween be about spooky ghost stories, not unexplained car problems.

Flashing warning lights on your dashboard can bring a sense of dread and fear, especially if you are driving in the dark. Most likely, flickering dashboard lights are caused by problems with the alternator. The function of an alternator is to charge your battery and supply current to the electrical components of your vehicle. If it malfunctions, it will affect all your vehicle's electronics and you might face issues like dim lights, difficult engine starts, engine stalling, and a dead battery.

All is calm and silent until you turn the ignition key and hear screeching noises from the engine bay under the hood. Cars are equipped with a serpentine belt routed around various pulleys that drive engine accessories like water pumps, power steering pumps, AC compressors, etc. Due to a failed bearing, a stuck pulley can allow the belt to slip, creating a loud squealing sound whenever the engine is running. Often the sound fades away mysteriously, but checking your engine pulleys and the serpentine belt is recommended.

To complicate matters, if you hear a groaning sound like a Frankenstein growling under the hood of your vehicle, your power steering system might be at fault. If you hear a grinding sound as you drive the vehicle in a straight line, it's due to worn-out‌ wheel bearings. A differential running on a low-fluid level might also generate a hollow groan. In such a situation, the first order of business should be to get your differential and wheel bearings checked.

However, if you hear a groaning noise while turning the vehicle, the power steering system is likely the culprit. Often just adding or topping up the power steering fluid can banish the groaning sound. If the fluid level is too low, ensure there are no leaks by checking the power steering hoses and connections attached to the steering rack assembly. If the fluid level is optimum, check the idler arm bushings, grease them, and finally check the power steering pump to ensure it is functioning properly.

If you hear a flapping or slapping noise after turning the air conditioning on, you probably have a loose, misaligned, or broken ventilation flap. This can affect the airflow and the repetitive sound can drive you nuts, but it isn't a safety issue. Flapping noise can also occur due to debris lodged between one or more blades of the fan blower. The fan blades can also warp or loosen, causing them to make a sound similar to the shuffling of a deck of cards. Despite the cause, it's imperative to diagnose the issue and remove any debris and repair the broken blades of the blower. Failing to do so can cause the blower motor to fail.

Smoke from a vehicle is a bad sign and scary if it's coming from under the hood. If you see smoke under the hood, the first step is to pull over the vehicle to the side and open the hood to locate the source. White smoke from the engine bay is mostly caused due to a coolant leak or an overheating engine. The coolant can leak due to a cracked radiator hose and engine overheating can cause it to spill over. Fluids like engine oil, brake oil, and coolant can leak and drip over the hot exhaust pipe or manifold to emit smoke. If you see coolant dripping down the engine block, it could be a blown head gasket.

A distinct sweet-smelling white smoke from the engine is a clear indication of a coolant leak. Usually, it's a simple and easy fix that can be done easily, but an overheating engine with dense white smoke from the engine and the exhaust pipe can lead to costly repairs.