Started my car the last couple of mornings (this is the first winter I'm actually driving the car, normally I store it until summer) and it started making a chirping type of noise while idling. I continued to let the car warm up for another 5 minutes or so and then drove off. While changing gears I see that while the clutch is pressed the noise will stop, let the clutch go and chirping noise starts again. After about 10 minutes of driving it will stop all together. It has been very cold here and whatever the problem is it seems after some driving it goes away. Any ideas on what it could be? Something clutch related maybe? The car drives normal other wise, no recent CEL's or anything. The car sometimes has the common rough idle that these 8's have and I have yet to take off an clean or replace the MAF which I think is probably the reason for rough idle but I don't think this new chirping noise has anything to do with the idle. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

Have you replaced your coils recently? I read a thread on here recently where someone had this issue and it was fixed after they replaced their coils.

Chirping Fixed With Coils

 

Oh cool man, this thread sounds very promising! Thank you very much! I love the collective conscience of these forums, hasn't failed me yet! I will definitely look into the coils, I believe they are the originals.

 

Chances are it's not because of the coils if the noise is gone in between shifts. It is the shift fork actuator. Search and you will see a thread with the diagram on where to grease it. Lather the damn thing with thick grease and you'll be good.

 

^..........Agreed, hard to believe it's the coils in this instance, but one never knows with this car.

 

You Tube link second post down on that link sd1611 posted, that is the exact same sound mine is making and seemingly from the same spot. I will definitely search for how to grease that spot you mentioned. I'm also assuming the coils are the originals though since I've never replaced them. What kind of cost is involved in doing a coil job? And if it is just the grease spot or the coils, is it bad driving it like this?

 

If the noise goes away when you push in the clutch, then I had the same problem too and my mazda dealer said to leave it alone until it is time to change the clutch.

 

bad coils leads to plugged cat leads to dead rotary

 

So how can I tell if it's bad coils, bad clutch or the shift fork actuator? To update on the sound, it also makes a whining/rubbing sound that is sort of mixed in the the chirping sound and pressing the clutch in definetly stops the sound until I let go of the clutch. I can also press it in just a tad and it will change the tone of the chirping sound, and again all this goes away after driving 10 min or so. Can't get it in anywhere until after this week, really don't want to drive it if it's the coils and or cat and possibly killing the engine. Any way to check if it's the coils?

 

Really simple answer in regards to coils. You said you've never replaced them. Have you put more than 15,000 miles on the car? If so, replace them, period.

That leaves one less thing to add to your spagetti bowl of issues.

 

What's a job like that cost?

 

$2.34

 

Actually, if you can use a socket wrench and a screwdriver, you can do this yourself and save a buttload of money. There is a DIY(Do it yourself) section on this site that will show you how and it's really fairly simple. Go to Mazmart.com as just one example on where to get coils. If you want stock coils you can also go to onlinemazdaparts.com or several other places.

 

Ok, so I checked out the DIY for coils change out and I think I can do it and plan on it. Also figured since I'll be right there mind as well change the spark plugs and wires while I'm at it. Couldn't find a DIY on greasing the shift fork actuator because I would like to check that out too.