My 2001 is chirping when I first start it.

I've had this issue for a few weeks. When I first start the truck it will have a repetitive chirp for around a minute. After this the engine will automatically rev up and the noise will go away. As soon as I start to drive it will start again for like 30 seconds. I had a check engine light on and I just replaced the a/f sensor. The light hasn't come back on yet but the chirping didn't stop. Has anyone here had an issue like this?

 

Worn and slipping belt maybe? How old are they?

 

Most likely a belt, an idler pulley, or a tensioner. Can you narrow down where the chirp is coming from on the engine during startup?

 

I don't think it is an issue with the belts. I'm just guessing at this because it just doesn't seem like that is the issue. I could be wrong. The noise is coming from the area where the belts are located but it only happens when I first start my engine. The main reason I don't think that is the belts is because of the way it is starting. My truck shakes and sometimes doesn't start on the first try. All of this has seemed to come around at the same time. The belts are the original ones that came on the truck but I don't think they are the issue. I'm the original owner with 126k miles and I don't take it off road. It's been taken care of very well.

 

Welcome to TW, @karlschaos! FWIW, I'm with @ajm and @RacecarGuy - probably belts, especially since they're 16yrs old.

For the most relevant info regarding your 2001 Tacoma, recommend you peruse the 1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004) forum and post your question there rather than here in the 2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015) forum.

 

Easiest way to handle this is take off one belt at a time. You have approx a minute of chirp, that is enough time. So on q cold start pull the first belt, if it still chirps, immediately turn the motor off. Remove next belt amd see if chirp is gone, etc.

You can also squirt the belts with a garden hose, if the noise changes at all then you have confirmed that it is an issue with the belts/accessories.

126k on belts is crazy. You are asking for trouble, when they break they can mess up more than just your day. I have seen belt pieces take out alts and even crank seals.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I'll check the belts. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to automotive repair and maintenance. I'll move over to the first generation tocoma board for any new post. I'm new and I'm glad I joined.

 

Check for a bird/birds nest in your motor


Check belts first, spray each separately with a little water. If it's a certain belt it should stop making noise temporarily letting you know which one it is. Could also be a multitude of other things but I'd say start with the simplest first