Any ideas as to why my 2009 Jetta makes a weird tapping noise? | Car Doctor

Q: My 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen – with a five-speed manual transmission – makes a weird tapping noise. The noise has been there forever, yet the car runs great.

I have had the engine looked at. Even though mechanics hear the noise, they just say live with it. Any ideas?

I also heard your podcast and interview with the woman who founded the ladies Volkswagen group. Considering that this Jetta is the only car I have owned, it sounds like a group I should join.

A: The good thing is that the noise has been there forever and hasn’t caused a problem. I suspect it is the canister purge valve. This is a small valve with two hoses and an electrical connection. The sound of the solenoid turning on and off will make a weird popping/clicking noise. As odd as it sounds, when it is quiet it may not be working.

Yes, Che Cooper (womenofwolfsburg.com) was a great guest. The group looks like a lot of fun.

Worried about 'TikTok challenge' of Hyundai and Kia thefts

Q: I would like your take on a story about an issue that’s getting more and more attention: “Police Departments warn about increasing thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles.” I can tell you that I am aware that this is happening in other communities across the state. It would be helpful if you could talk about this problem, which is part of the so-called "TikTok challenge."

A: Some Kia and Hyundai vehicles that use an ignition key – not a push-button starter – can be fairly easy to steal. The stories always show a cellphone charger, which leads you to believe that somehow a cellphone and electronics are involved, but they are not. The USB cable is used to turn the smashed ignition switch.

Hyundai and Kia have a software fix that takes about an hour to install, which requires a key to be sensed before the car will start. The fix is free and also includes a couple of antitheft stickers to alert would-be thieves that the TikTok challenge won’t work.

Barely used Subaru could be an amazing buy – or a headache

Q: My mom says she wants to sell me her six-year-old Subaru Impreza for a “good price,” but I’m worried because since she’s had it, she barely drove it during COVID. It has barely been driven on freeways. She drives it once every week or two. It only has 3,000 miles on it. Should I buy this car?

A: A six-year-old Subaru with only 3,000 miles could be an amazing buy – or a headache. Lack of use can sometimes be worse than abuse when it comes to cars. The good news is the car does get driven periodically.

I would get the car looked over for possible gasket leaks, brake issues and other items that age over time.

If I were to buy this car – even with the low mileage – I would replace the tires, battery, brake fluid and coolant as well as checking the other vital fluids. If it really is a “good price,” spending a few thousand dollars will make the car practically brand new.

Spotty performance by Sorento's air conditioning

Q: The air conditioning in my 2012 Kia Sorento sometimes sometimes doesn’t work. When it does works, it’s not as cold as it should be. Your thoughts?

A: After a visual inspection, the second step is to look at system pressures. If the pressures are correct and within specification, the problem could be with the temperature blend door. This door is electrically controlled to blend the cold air from the air conditioner and the warm air for the heater. If the door is partially stuck or broken, you will get intermittent air conditioning and poor overall performance.

Limited options for two-door midsize pickup trucks

Q: I would like to purchase a 2024 mid-size, two-door, 4X4 extended-cab pickup truck. I have had two in my life that I purchased new: a Toyota 4X4 XtraCab and a Ford Ranger. They met all of my needs.

I do not want a full-size pickup, since they are difficult to park. When I looked at all of the major pickup manufacturer websites, I was shocked to see that, except for Nissan, they only sell four-door 4X4 midsize pickups now. Those extra two doors take away from the cargo bed, making it difficult to get larger items in such as 4-by-8 sheets of plywood.

Am I correct that only Nissan sells a two-door, midsize 4X4 pickup (the Frontier)? If so, what is your opinion of the Frontier?

A: As far as I have seen in the last few years, even compact trucks such as the Ford Maverick, the Hyundai Santa Cruz and even the Honda Ridgeline all have short beds and four doors.

According to their websites, the Nissan Frontier King Cab and the Toyota Tacoma Xtra Cab – which are both two-door trucks – have about the same size cargo bed, at 73 inches.

Regarding quality, I would rank Toyota over Nissan. If you plan on towing or carrying a heavier weight, the Frontier may be a better choice, with its 3.8 liter V-6 engine that makes 310 horsepower.

The Tacoma uses a 2.4 liter turbo-charged engine that makes 228 horsepower.

Both vehicles have similar fuel economy.

John Paul is the AAA Northeast Car Doctor. He has more than 40 years of experience in the automobile industry and is an ASE-Certified Master Technician. Write to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. Or email [email protected] and put “Car Doctor” in the subject field. Follow him on Twitter @johnfpaul or on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Why does my 2009 Jetta make a weird tapping noise? | Car Doctor