screeching sound like fan is catching

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Aug 2012, 18:16

My 98 S70 T5 w/ 210k miles.......went over a big pot hole today and suddenly it starts screaching like the fan belt is bad. Turn car odd and back on qnd things are better but still sounds like something is dragging. Most noticeable is when I cut ignition...I can hear something spinning down like it is rubbing. Checked belts - fine. It isn't the radiator fan either. It sounds like it is enternal to the engine or right under the plug cover. Recently changed the idle air control because it was seizing. I have no idea what it is. I'm out now and afraid to drive it home. Never experienced anything like it.

Anyone havea clue? Does not seem to effect the driving.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Aug 2012, 18:18

Sorry posting from my phone lots of errors in first post- but I think you get the idea of what's going on.

Post by **tailor** » 22 Aug 2012, 20:13

We'll, damn that autocorrect!

I am sure that you looked under timing belt cover...thought i would just throw that out there!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Aug 2012, 20:26

Yes, checked that and it's not the problem. Got home and different bumps on the way home had different effects.....sometimes the sound was all but gone. In the garage when I restarted the car, there was at first a loud screaching sound then a sound like something was bouncing around inside the turbo hose- close down near the turbo (sounding like pinging metal)... kill the ignition and it takes a little time for the engine tototally die different than before when the motor stopped instantly. Also, there is a peeculiar odor- some kind of dry burn- not gas or oil. Weird thing is, on the way home (besides the sound and smell) all ran well- even the turbo was boosting properly.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm really afraid to drive this car but have no other way to work in the morning.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Aug 2012, 21:02

I'm on the computer now- been searching what this could be and I'm pretty sure it's the turbo...I'm thinking something has come loose in it- maybe a bearing has broken loose...that's what's bouncing around. I do not know how going over a hard bump could have done this but maybe it was just waiting to go...I think the loud screeching is the impellers making contact with the side walls until they get to spinning fast enough to demish the sound. I"m not sure, but it makes no sense otherwise...

I guess I need to look for a new turbo, or a remanufactured one. I don't guess it would hurt the car to keep driving it except the annoyance and the degrading turbo performance as time goes on.

byeboy · Post by **byeboy** » 23 Aug 2012, 07:14

You can fairly easy remove the turbo inlet hose, then rotate the impeller with your finger...if its as bad as that sound, you should be able to tell right then.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 23 Aug 2012, 19:52

I have it at a shop and couldn't pick the car up today...they say the starter is completely torn up inside. Very strange that it even worked this morning to get me there... It wouldn't start after making a bunch of racket to move it into their garage today. They think it's just the starter that was making that noise and somehow the noise transferred all the way over to sound like it was the turbo. I'll know more tomorrow after they put a remanufactured starter on the car.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 24 Aug 2012, 17:23

Okay, here's what it was ($350 later).
First of all, the starter was torn up- I got a remanuf. one for $159 but RR and on it was nearly $80...then when they started it, it continued to spin after the car was started.... IGNITION SWITCh!! Bingo- I had been starting my car for over a year and turning it back some because it was funky... Finally the ignition switch shorted inside, causing the starter to keep working even after the car was started. The bump I hit in the road must have solidified the short in the ignition switch...causing this. So, good news- not the turbo...starter, but root cause, Ignition switch.. I now need an ignition switch. Car is rigged to disconnect the starter with a "kill" switch right now after the car starts, but that's no real solution. Who knows what other issues my ignition switch has caused me (for instance, 10A fuse the blew) related to idle air control, cam position sensor, etc.

Lesson Learned- If you have a bad ignition switch and you know it- You need to replace it sooner than later.
I am now on the hunt for one locally and need to replace it this weekend if possible.

Post by **jblackburn** » 24 Aug 2012, 17:57

We had that happen with the old Saab once. They put the ignition key right in the middle of the console at the lowest point - just one of those quirky Saab things, so all kinds of crumbs and drinks get spilled down in there over the years. One day it just stuck and the starter kept running...and my mom drove it home like that. I'm honestly surprised it survived that unharmed.

A starter/ignition switch sure are a lot cheaper and a lot less work to replace than a turbo.

Post by **rspi** » 24 Aug 2012, 20:04

Man, I've driven with bad ignition switches for years in a couple of Volvo's. Thanks for the update.