Q: Car made a noise and then died.

asked by on January 06, 2016

My car was running fine, but I noticed some unusual noise from under the hood. On my way to work the noise was louder than usual, and my car died as I was pulling in. Now, it turns over, but will not start.

Unfortunately that sound you were hearing may have been your timing belt. The belt may have been frayed and making a noise by rubbing the plastic timing cover under your hood. I believe the noise got louder because the belt got more frayed and eventually broke. When the timing belt break the engine is no longer in sync and cannot run. The timing belt will need to be replaced if the belt is in fact broken as I suspect. I would ask for help from a certified mechanic to diagnose why your car will not start and confirm my suspicions or find the actual problem.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Check Engine Light on; car stays at one speed
Hello. It sounds like you have a transmission problem. If the transmission is staying in one gear, I would have your transmissions inspected by a certified mechanic. Since the other control units are missing, information provided by the transmission control...
Want to install an aftermarket trailer hitch on my car
I did a little research on this and yes, you can. One hitch that will definitely work is the Curt 13129 Trailer Hitch. There is ample space between this hitch and the sensors for the lift gate.
Transmission noisy in all gears, at around 2500 RPM
The noise may not be coming from the transmission but the engine since you say it happens at 2500 RPMs no matter what gear is selected. You may be hearing the intake manifold runner control noise changing at that engine...
Fluid in the boot looks like power steering fluid
Hello. The fluid in the boot is a separate issue. If there is fluid in the boot it is because the rack and pinion is failing. These boots are not there to contain fluid but to keep dirt out. If...
Downshifts suddenly automatic locks
When you encounter the problem try and see if your cruise control works. If the brakes lights stay on, it will cause the cruise to be inoperative and affect the overdrive of the transmission and door locks autolock function. Come...
My car has a low idle and will stop at lights or stop signs
Hello. The symptoms you describe can be caused by a few different things. A few other possible causes are issues with the idle air control valve, with the transmission, or with the throttle position sensor. The idle air control valve...
I have a Lexus RX 350 (2008). This morning it suddenly showed the engine light indicator and started vibrating.
The burning smell and vibrations could have been caused by the engine misfiring and making the exhaust come through the intake or there is an electrical issue that is burning on the exhaust system. I recommend seeking out a professional,...
My 2008 Mini Cooper S has a check engine light on and the code is P0977.
The code P0977 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0977-obd-ii-trouble-code-shift-solenoid-b-control-circuit-high-by-brady-klopfer) will set if the transmission control module (TCM) records an abnormal voltage reading from a shift solenoid in the transmission. A vehicle with the P0977 trouble code will generally be driveable but due to the potential...
2008 Dodge Caliber, The engine is shaking at idle on Drive and Reverse mode, but stops shaking when in Neutral and Park Mode. The
Hi there. There are a few things that can cause the engine to idle rough or shake at idle. The first would be that the engine or motor mounts are loose or wearing out. In this case, the engine will...

Related articles

What Does Ignition Timing Mean?
Timing Timing – it has a couple of different meanings when applied to your car’s engine. One of the most critical is ignition timing (not to be confused with engine timing). Ignition timing refers to when spark is created during...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Have a Tiny Parking Space
In In many cities parking spaces come at a premium, so you only want to purchase one small space. This small space will end up dictating what vehicle you purchase, so we’ve rounded up some great candidates. Must-haves Arm yourself...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Ignition Coil
Common signs include the Check Engine Light coming on, engine misfiring, rough idle, a reduction in power, and the car not starting.