1993 Dodge 2.2L Shadow 2 issues

1. Persistant ticking sound coming from engine. I have heard/read
about lifter tick. Could this be what it is? If so, is this a major
thing, other than being an annoyance?

2. Very loud squealing sound. I sprayed WD40 on one of the wheels that
guides/drives the one belt. Also with the battery indicator moving up
and down, I was thinking it could the belt that connects to the alternator.

The car cut out today, and it took a couple tries to start it again.

Any input/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

Lifter tick is not common on these engines, but it *is* possible. A much
more likely prospect is piston pin knock, especially if it's more of a
"Took-took-took-took" sound rather than a higher-pitched
"Tick-tick-tick-tick". Piston pin knock is common on these engines, and it
is annoying -- in its more severe/advanced form, it can make the engine
sound much like a diesel -- but it's not something to get too upset about,
or really to do anything about unless/until an engine rebuild becomes
otherwise necessary.

Loud squeals generally do indicate belts or the things they turn. It's not
wise to squirt WD40 anywhere near the belts. Proper diagnosis is called
for.

This could be anything from vacuum leaks due to cooked/cracked hoses near
the throttle body, to a failing distributor pickup plate, to a wiring
fault. If your '93 K-car is like most other similar cars, it's not had the
most fastidious of maintenance over the years and there are some things
that have been allowed to slide.

First step is to check for flash codes.

To check the computer codes:

With the engine off, switch the ignition key on-off-on-off-on,
leaving it "ON". Do not
go to "start", just "on" during this procedure.

Watch the "Check Engine" or "Power Loss" light. It will turn on, then go
off, then will begin to flash-out any trouble codes that have been stored.
For instance, if it flashes:

flash <pause> flash flash
<long pause>
flash flash flash <pause> flash flash flash flash flash
<long pause>
flash flash flash flash flash <pause> flash flash flash flash flash

Then you have a 12 (one flash followed by two) a 35 (three and five) and a
55 (five and five). 55 means "end of codes" or, if by itself, "No codes
stored. Check the codes and report what you find.


DS