Hey everyone I'm new to the forum. My name is Jay and I am having some trouble with my 99 Camry Le. I have the 5s engine and I have recently started to hear a knocking sound coming from the car. The sound is similar to a rattling noise from outside the car but once you open the hood you can clearly hear it as a knocking coming from the passenger side of the car near the alternator/exhaust manifold/engine. I am not sure what the cause of the noise might be and any suggestions on diagnosing the problem would help. I used to own and be part of a celica forum and had found the guys there to be pretty knowledgable so I'm hoping I can findthe same help here. Thanks for any help you guys can give me.

 

Might check the AC magnetic clutch on the compressor.

 

I don't know how handy you are but, if you take the accessory (serpentine)belt off and then start the car, you will be able to determine if it is an accessory or in the engine itself. DO NOT run the engine for too long if you do this, as you wll have no water pump to cool the engine. Anyways thats where I would start.