Posted on 2/27/2026
A chirping noise under the hood can sound small, but it usually means something is rubbing, slipping, or spinning rough. It might happen only on cold starts, only at idle, or only when you turn the steering wheel. Those patterns matter because different parts chirp for different reasons. The good news is that most chirps are caused by a short list of components, and catching it early can prevent a bigger breakdown. What A Chirp Usually Means A chirp is often a friction noise. It can come from a belt slipping across a pulley, a pulley bearing starting to dry out, or something lightly touching as the engine vibrates. Unlike a deep knock or a loud grind, a chirp tends to repeat in a steady rhythm, which makes it feel like a bird living in your engine bay. The challenge is that sound travels. A chirp from a belt pulley can echo off the engine cover and make it seem like it is coming from somewhere else. That is why describing when it chirps is more helpful than trying t ... read more