First time car owner with very little knowledge about cars. Please help?!

Asked by Nicole Mar 30, 2017 at 07:42 PM about the 2002 Ford Windstar LX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Okay, I have a few questions. This is my first car,
and I'm trying to make it last as long as possible
since I bought it about a year ago and I have a few
problems with it. It has this ringing sound that is
always constant. It's kinda like someone is ringing
a bell the whole time. I have no idea what it is, it
happened when I went over some train tracks a
little too fast. Ever since then it won't stop. Also,
I've been having problems with starting my car
from time to time. Sometimes all it will do is click
when I'm trying to start it. I've had people tell me
it's my alternator? But other times it's just fine,
after I get my car jumped. (My battery is less than
a year old.) And I get my oil changed regularly.
Please help!!

F_O_R answered 7 years ago

The starting issue could be that the alternator has a low output, your battery is weak or that you have dirty/loose battery connections. I would have the alternator tested and your battery terminals and cable ends cleaned and tightened.

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enginecreator answered 7 years ago

Is the ringing just when going down the road or sitting at Idle too? If going down the road it may be sway bar links bushing/king pins, if so is a cheap fix. Reach under the front of it (while parked and wheels chalked) and find the sway bar and give it a few dugs and see if its loose acting or look at the ends both sides to see if the bushings are worn out and can also push up on it to see if it moves some like its loose. Otherwise give more info on this noise. Try to figure out where it is coming from or have your suspension parts looked at, Exhaust could of came loose, just need more details.

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