Does everyone in your apartment complex or neighborhood know every time you come and go because you have a screeching or whining car? Do you cringe before you start your car because you are scared of what sounds it will make? If you like getting your money’s worth out of your vehicles, then chances are you’ve been there before. I recently had this problem myself in my Dodge truck and decided to put BlueDevil to the test. Keep reading for the results!
Having a noisy car with an engine whine can be annoying and embarrassing for you and those around you. Luckily if you have a noisy car, the repair is often relatively inexpensive. First, you need to determine what sort of noise your car is making.
Noises a broken car makes:
- Low rumbling a buzzing noise coming from the middle or back of your car
- Screeching or squeaking noise when driving that comes from the front of your car
- Squeaks creaks or clunks coming from near your wheels
- Grinding noise when turning the steering wheel or ringing noises while breaking
- Whining noise while driving coming from the front of the car
Why Does My Car Make a Rumbling or Buzzing Noise?
These types of noises are normally associated with an exhaust leak. Over time, your exhaust system will rust due to the temperature swings and moisture in your exhaust gases. This rust can eventually cause holes in the piping and mufflers allowing exhaust gas to escape which can cause a lot of noise. Luckily, fixing exhaust issues is usually relatively inexpensive and you can learn how to fix leaks in this article!
Why Does My Car Make a Screeching or Squeaking Noise?
Screeching noises are almost always associated with slipping engine belts. This can be due to a worn out belt, a bad belt tensioner or a worn or frozen accessory pulley. For more information about that, check out our article about squealing engine belts.
What Is Causing My Car’s Squeaks, Creaks, and Clunks?
These sounds usually come from out near your wheels and indicate a worn suspension component and happen on rough roads, speed bumps or when pulling into or out of parking spaces. Where the sound is coming from exactly can be difficult to pinpoint. Try bouncing each corner of your car while your car is parked, or turning your steering wheel from lock to lock while stopped and listening for the sound. For a more in-depth procedure for diagnosing where your suspension problems are, check out our article about suspension noise.
Why Does My Car Make a Grinding or Ringing Noise?
Grinding noises usually start as ringing sounds that were left unattended to and are due to badly worn brake pads. Most high quality brake pads have small tab that will ring on the rotor when the pad gets worn down. If the pads aren’t replaced soon enough the pad friction material will be completely worn away and the metal backing plate will start grinding on the rotor. For more information, check out our article about noisy brakes.
Why Is My Car Making Whining Noises When I Turn the Steering Wheel?
It is very common for car owners to experience a whining noise when accelerating. Cars can make these whining noises from 1 of 2 places. The transmission or the power steering system. They make similar noises because the working fluid and pumps in each have very similar designs. Luckily, the pumps are in very different places so it’s usually easy to tell if you are experiencing an automatic transmission problem or if you need to check the power steering fluid. If the noise is from the front of the engine, then it’s a power steering pump noise.
Generally, there are three different types of power steering systems commonly used in vehicles in the US today. A pitman arm style system uses a rotary valve and steering gear to transfer the motion of your steering wheel into hydraulically powered motion of a pitman arm. The pitman arm then moves the steering linkage to turn your wheels. The other system is called a rack and pinion system. This system turns the motion of your steering wheel into the lateral movement of a steering rack which is used to move your steering linkage turning your wheels. Lastly, many new vehicles are being fitted with electric power steering systems to help increase fuel mileage. In all belt driven power steering systems, the pump is the same. In electric power steering systems, some use an electric motor to pressurize the fluid while others skip the hydraulic fluid and just use an electric motor.
Usually, your power steering system will develop a leak in the steering gear or rack rather than in the pump, so if you’re searching for a leak that would be the best place to start looking.
Once you’ve discovered a leak in your power steering system either by drips under your car, a visible leak or steady drop in power steering fluid level, it’s important to stop the leak.
The best way to quickly stop a leak in your power steering system is to add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak to the reservoir. BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak is guaranteed to permanently stop your leak and, best of all, it is quick, easy and significantly less expensive than replacing equipment. Once you’ve added BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak, top off your reservoir with BlueDevil Synthetic Power Steering Fluid.
After discovering the leaking power steering gear in my Dodge truck, I purchased a bottle of BlueDevil Power Steering Leak Stop from my local parts store and added half of it to my power steering reservoir. After a 1700 mile cross-country road trip, my power steering system is still leak free!
There may be some other places that noises are coming from in your engine, so we’ll talk about a few of the most common just in case your noise is coming from somewhere else!
Can an Alternator Cause My Car to Make a Whining Noise While Driving?
Yes, it sure can! Your alternator has bearings inside that allows the pulley and stator to spin with the engine belt. If the belt is rubbing on the pulley due to misalignment or the bearings are worn out your alternator could indeed make a whining noise. Usually, these sounds would be described more as a squeak with the engine belt or a hum with bad bearings, so get your car started, then pop your hood and listen carefully to what the noise sounds like.
Why is My Car Making a High Pitched Noise?
Usually, high pitched noises like a squeak or a squeal are caused by your engine belts. The engine belts are typically made from a hard rubber and run on metal and plastic pulleys. If a pulley is misaligned or seized it will rub on the edge of the belt causing this squeaking or chirping. If you think this is your problem check out our article about squealing engine belts so you can fix the high pitched noise your car is making.
Why Does My Car Make Noise When I Accelerate?
When your car is accelerating the engine is working hard to push your car faster and faster so the noise you are hearing may be normal sounds. If a sound has just popped up, it could very well be an indication of a problem. The most common noises cars make during acceleration is either a sucking wooshing sort of sound or a loud exhaust noise. The wooshing noise usually indicates that you’ve got a vacuum leak somewhere in your engine. If this is the case, inspect your vacuum hoses and intake piping for leaks as vacuum leaks can make your vehicle run poorly and potentially damage your engine. If it is exhaust noise you’re hearing, check out our article about locating exhaust leaks to find and fix your problem.
You can find BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak at any of our partnering local auto parts stores like:
- AutoZone
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power_steering_pump.jpg – By Phantom1311 – Licensed by Getty Images – Original Link
BlueDevil Products can be found on Amazon.com or at AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, and other major auto parts retailers.
166 responses to "Why is My Car Making a Whining Noise?"
166 Comments
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My 2000 Ford Contour SE, 6 cyl. Sport. Has auto trans. It has a whining noise coming from the engine dept. when revving the engine or when accelerating during driving. At idle, it’s hard to hear, but when driving you can hear it. Also the battery red light comes on when accelerating. What’s my problem?
It sounds like you may have several issues going on under the hood. I’d recommend taking it a licensed mechanic for a complete diagnosis.
-BDP
I have a Toyota truck that is making a high pitched whining noise but I don’t have power steering so it can’t be the fluid level. What else could it be?
Jaki-
Thank you for your question about your Toyota. It could be the belt or one of your pulleys causing the whining you have described. Sometimes a bad bearing in the alternator or idler pulley will whine before it goes completely bad. For more information about how to identify a bad bearing in a pulley and how to properly tension the accessory belt check out our previously posted article here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
Hopefully this will help you track the sound down.
-BDP
Most Toyota trucks have 2 belts and I bet they are worn. Easy fix just bring your belts into an auto parts store and match up the part numbers if they are still visible on the old belts. The belts are numbered by size in inches I believe.
HELLP MY CAR MAKES SO MUCH NOISE HOW MUCH WOULD THIS COST TO FIX
Kate-
Please provide a little more detail into the noise and/or issues you are experiencing. Once we have some more information we would be happy to help you.
It sounds like the belt tensioner or you might have to change the belt itself. When you rev up the motor it loosens that’s why your alternator goes off and the battery light goes on. Go to your mechanic, it’s easy to replace though.
My car makes whining noise when eccelerating lift the hood and had son rev engine and power steering fluid was bubbling in resevoir very rapidly is it pump or clogged line didn’t notice any leak and fluid level is fine?
Matt,
Thanks for asking us a question on our article “Why Is My Car Making a Whining Noise?”! I’m sorry you are having trouble with your power steering system, but hopefully it will be an easy fix.
It sounds like you have air in your power steering system. The air bubbles could have gotten in from a variety of places but you should be able to remove them easily. Many power steering systems will have a bleeder valve on the power steering rack or gear near where the high pressure line enters it from the pump. With the engine at idle speed you can open this bleeder and allow fluid to run out until there are no more bubbles in it. While you are doing this, make sure you (or your son) turn the steering wheel side to side to free any trapped air and make sure you have fluid in the reservoir the entire time.
If your system does not have a bleeder valve, you can remove the air simply by letting the vehicle idle with the cap off the power steering reservoir. As the bubbles come out be sure to add fluid to the reservoir so it doesn’t get low. This may take up to 30 minutes.
If neither of these solutions work, it may simply be that your power steering fluid is in need of replacement and has lost its anti-foaming properties. A power steering fluid flush will remove the old fluid from your system and replace it with fresh fluid that should not foam or bubble. The power steering flush should also remove any air from the system. Check out our article on how to perform a power steering fluid flush here: https://gobdp.com/blog/need-power-steering-flush/. If you have any questions feel free to comment on that article.
Thanks again for your questions!
-BlueDevil Pro
I have a 95 odyssey and when i start the car it makes a whining and rattling noise. But once i get to a certain rpm or speed it quite down completely . It also happens when i turn. Would any of you guys know what it may be? It happened since i just got my oil changed.
You may have something loose underneath your vehicle since that Oil change; especially if it levels out at high speed but you hear it when you slow down. I would advise taking it back to the shop who changed the oil so they can diagnose and possibly fix the issue.
-BDP
Why is my car making a whining noise when ever my trucks idealing or slowing down? It’s loud and is coming from the front
Taylor-
Most likely you have a loose or worn accessory belt. Your truck may have multiple belts, or only 1, but often can be changed easily. Before changing your accessory belt, inspect it for obvious wear or cracking. If it appears to be in good shape, then the tension may need to be adjusted. Refer to your cars owner’s manual for proper belt tensioning procedures.
-BDP
My 2006 Honda accord car is making a whinng noise only durning on a cold engine once it’s warm the noise stops. It only last for about 20 minutes then it stops. Do you know what could be the problem?
Luke-
You likely have a loose or worn belt. Your car may have multiple belts, or only 1, but often can be changed easily. Before changing your accessory belt, inspect it for obvious wear or cracks. If it appears to be in good shape, it is possible the tension needs to be adjusted. Refer to your cars owner’s manual for proper instruction on how to adjust the tension.
-BDP
Hi Luke, is your problem got fixed? I am having 05 accord having same issue. I need your suggestion.
My car is an 05 dodge stratus and it whines when I start it and while I’m driving my battery light comes on. It just started and was wanting to know the problem
Josh-
You likely have a loose or warn belt accessory belt. Your car may have multiple belts, or only 1, but often can be changed easily. Before changing your accessory belt, inspect it for obvious wear or cracks. If it appears to be in good shape, it is possible the tension needs to be adjusted. Refer to your cars owner’s manual for proper belt tensioning procedures.
Based on the fact that you are having your battery light flicker, chances are that the serpentine belt is slipping because of a bad pulley or the tension needs to be adjusted. We recommend that you remove the belt and try to spin each pulley by hand to ensure none of them have seized or become stuck. After you have tested the pulleys you will then want to check for proper tension.
We hope this helps!
-BDP
My 99 Ford Taurus makes a horrible noise. When driving one day I was turning and it felt as if my steering wheel was stuck(hard to turn), so I figured I needed power steering fluid. I imputed that and not even two days later the same problem occurred, when adding more fluid it started to bubble and over flow out. Now every two days I have to add fluid but no sign of a leak that I’ve noticed.. Please help..thank you
Angela,
I’m sorry you’re having trouble with your Ford Taurus. It does sound like you’re correct with your diagnosis. The fact that you are seeing bubbles when adding fluid leads me to believe your power steering fluid level was so low it was pulling air into the system. Since your power steering system is a high pressure system it is possible that it only leaks while you are driving, which could be why you aren’t seeing any puddles or drips. We recommend adding BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak to your power steering reservoir to stop the leak. As long as you purchase BlueDevil Power Steering Stop leak from us online (here: http://bit.ly/13eKpuJ) or from one of our partnering national retailers it is guaranteed to seal your power steering leak!
i have a 01 dodge stratus and its making a noise under the hood people are telling me its the ac compressor but im not sure i had my belt changed a few weeks ago and it still makes the noise and my power steering also don’t work my car steering moves fine but its not taking in the power fluid any ideas on what may be wrong.?
Nestor,
Thanks for your question about your Dodge Stratus and I’m sorry things aren’t working quite right. Most of the time when A/C compressors fail, they don’t make any odd noises, they just stop working. Power steering pumps on the other hand will make a whining noise if they are going bad or if your power steering fluid is low. If you’ve noticed any leaking power steering fluid, add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak available here: http://bit.ly/13eKpuJ to seal the leak, then top off your power steering fluid reservoir with the manufacturer’s recommended power steering fluid.
I just got up here and so far I have been pleased with what I have read so far. Very helpful information. I have a Dodge Stratus SXT Special Edition 2005 with a 2.4 16valve DOHC engine e. I have been hearing a whinning noise. I was told it was my alternator but I am not sure now. It could be the power steering fluid low. Or even the belt. So informed I am now. Thanks. A very helpful sight. And now I am going to purchase your products. Have a blessed and wonderful day.
I have a ’93 mustang lx and just recently I had my alternator tensioner pully replaced and a couple days after that my car started making a loud squeaking noise coming from the front of the car. At first I thought it might be the new pully making contact with the alternator itself but it goes away when I speed up and comes back as I slow down. After reading I think it might be how tight the belt it because the belts are almost brand new. I work at Lexus so I get a free diagnosis but I want to figure this out myself if at all possible before taking it in.
Eli
Eli,
Thanks for your question about your Mustang and I’m sorry it’s squeaking after you’ve replaced all those parts. It sounds like you are on the right track in diagnosing your problem. The Squeaking is most likely coming from your belt and a new belt and new belt tensioner would definitely have the tension very high. Also, the fact that it goes away at higher RPMs makes sense as the higher RPMS will pull the automatic belt tensioner out more. Since your vehicle is equipped with an automatic tensioner the tension is adjusted by spring pressure, so there is nothing you can do to change it. One thing you can check is that you have the right length belt for your motor. If you have any under drive pulleys, or skipped any accessories, you will need shorter belt than stock. Also, while you have the belt off and are checking the length, try spinning each accessory pulley by hand and see if any of them drag. It’s possible the new belt and tensioner are exposing a problem on one of your other accessories like the smog pump or power steering pump. If one of the accessories pulleys doesn’t spin freely, it likely has a bad bearing a will need to be replaced. If you still can’t fix the squeaking you can always try adding belt conditioner to your belt to try and quite it down.
I have a 1995 dodge ram 1500 and there is a whining or howling noises coming from the transmission. Could this be a symptom of not enough fluid?
Jake,
Thanks for your question about your Dodge truck. I’m sorry your transmission is giving you problems. The noises you are describing could be an indication of low transmission fluid. After you drive your truck for about 20 minutes, stop and check your fluid level on the dip stick with the engine running. If it is not at the top of the “hot” indication, you can add fluid right through the dip stick tube along with BlueDevil Transmission Sealer available here: http://bit.ly/16JIVMM. If your transmission fluid is not low, the noise could be from other problems in your transmission. There are a few service bulletins out on your vehicle’s transmission so it would be worth calling the closest Dodge dealership to see if any of them apply to your vehicle. You can call the service department and give them your VIN number for more information. Some of the repairs may even be free of charge to you.
I have a 2008 Enlcave some time I here a whining noise. An my steering is hard to turn but I don’t see no leaks
Stephanie-
We are sorry to hear that your Enclave is making funny sounds. The first thing you should check is that the power steering fluid is filled to the proper level. If it is low you should refill it with the factory recommend fluid to bring it up to level.
If the power steering fluid is not low then you may want to have your power steering pump looked at by a professional.
We hope this helps!
-BDP
my 2001 dodge stratus is making a loud whining noise coming from the belt when it makes that noise my heater goes out and its been really cold out lately the belt was also changed a few weeks ago but it hasn’t made that noise in tell it got cold out someone help me out please.?
Nestor,
Thanks for your question about your 2001 Stratus. A combination of noise from your belt and your heater not working sounds like a problem with your water pump, or a lack of coolant. Start by checking your coolant reservoir and when it’s cool, your radiator, to make sure it is full of coolant. If you find you are low on coolant consider adding BlueDevil Radiator and Block Sealer with your coolant to seal any leaks you may have. You can purchase BlueDevil Radiator and Block Sealer here: http://bit.ly/1tfst5A. If your radiator is full of coolant, it may be that your water pump is in need of replacement and it going bad is what is causing your belt to squeak as it tries to turn the broken pump.
I have a 2004Honda CRV. It’s started making a squealing noise when I back up and then a buzzing when I go forward. The buzzing only lasts a minute and then stops but it starts up again in turns and after stops. It seems to be coming from the rear of the car. Any ideas? Thanks!
Cynthia,
Thanks for your question about 2004 CRV. The problem you described is a very difficult one to diagnose, so it may be worth having a mechanic look at. It sounds like you might have misaligned or stuck rear brake pads. When you are backing up the brake pads may be causing the squealing you are hearing as they are running the wrong direction on the brake drum. Also, as you go around corners they may be shifting as your suspension shifts and again being misaligned causing the buzzing you are hearing. Hopefully that helps, but please let us know if you have any other questions.
So I’ve had my power steering pump replaced twice since April 2014, and in September I began hearing the same noises I heard before It was replaced; it would groan mainly when I’m parking or cut really hard to the left or right, but I don’t hear this noise when driving. I checked the PS fluid and it was still full so I took it to a shop to get it checked out and they said the pump is fine but there’s a leak in the rack and pinion and the fluid is leaking and it would be over $700 to fix. I still hear the noise when parking but I haven’t gotten it fixed yet because I don’t have the money yet. However, this was over a month ago and every time I’ve checked the PS fluid level it’s still full. How is it possible to have a PS fluid leak in the rack and pinion and the reservoir is still full? Could this really be the rack and pinion or something else?
Yasmine,
Thanks for your question about your power steering leak. It is possible that the leak you have in your power steering rack is a very slow leak so you won’t notice your fluid level dropping for a few weeks. That sounds like a reasonable quote to replace a steering rack, but before you do we recommend you reading our article about power steering rack leaks here: https://gobdp.com/blog/rack-pinion-leak/. If you have any other questions, please leave a comment on that article.
whining noise, i thought water pump, replaced… nope, then thought alternator… and this time while the belt was off i started it just to see… noise was still there. nothing was running except the engine… now i am lost… what could it be???
Blaine,
Thanks for your question about the whining noise in your engine. If the belt was off while it was running it could be a variety of things. If your vehicle has a timing belt it could be that belt that is whining. I would also start with checking your oil and transmission fluid level and make sure they are full of fresh fluid. If you find any of your fluids low, choose the appropriate BlueDevil product to seal the leak by going to gobdp.com. You may also check your crank pulley and harmonic balancer to make sure they are installed correctly and the bolt is tight. If your vehicle is equipped with electric fans you could also check to make sure there is nothing in the blades and the motors aren’t worn. Last, the noise you’re hearing may be coming from a vacuum leak so try checking hoses and vacuum connections for leaks.
I hot a 2003 honda accord.the squeaky noise turn on in the morning. But after I drive it it stops. It don’t leak. When I turn the wheal it’s make the nose but only in the morning.
Esteban,
Thanks for your question about your Accord. It sounds like your serpentine belt is causing the squealing. It may be due to a worn out belt or belt tensioner. It is also possible that one of your accessories like your alternator or your power steering pump is worn out causing extra strain on the belt making it squeal. The First thing to do would be to remove your current belt. If it’s cracked, worn or glazed in any area it may be time to replace it. Honda recommends replacing the serpentine belt every 100,000 miles. If the belt is still in good shape, and the tensioner is difficult to move with a wrench, try spinning the pulleys of all the accessories to see if one is harder to turn and could be causing your problem.
I recently had a full coolant flush and thermostat sensor done and my heat is still not getting hot enough and I noticed there’s a piece of plastic is missing around the rim of the coolant container could this but why the heat is not getting hotter??
Danelle-
Yes, if there is a breach in your cooling system it can prevent you from being able to get full heat within the vehicle. You will want to have it replaced or repaired and you should get back to full heat within the cabin of your car.
-BDP
Hi I have a 2006 Honda Accord EX V6. It started making a horrible whining noise in the AM two weeks ago, as others have said only when its cold, worse when I turn the steering wheel and disappears completely once the car warms up. I have had it into my mechanic four times now and have paid over $1000 ugh! Please help! They replaced the tensioner belt (which BTW had already been replaced in 2011 by them grrr). Then the tried changing out the o ringbin the power steering (I am now COMPLETELY convinced its the power steering) and most recently changed a hose on the P/S. This morning it was SUPER cold and the loudest it’s been. The car is warm by the time they give it back to me each time so they don’t realize they haven’t solved the problem. I love these guys have used the for years with other Hondas but this is REALLY starting to piss me off and at this point feel they should be REFUNDING my money. Ugh PLEASE HELP!!
Bret,
We’re sorry about the frustrating experience you’ve had with your Honda. The problem certainly does sound like a problem with your power steering system, but it also sounds like the only thing your mechanics haven’t replaced yet is the power steering pump. It is possible that your problems lies with the bearings in the pump causing the whining you’re hearing and as they warm up they quite down. It is also possible that some large debris is caught somewhere in your system making it difficult for the pump to move fluid through system. Unfortunately this is also extremely hard to diagnose and would have to be done by replacing 1 component at a time.
Thanks so much for replying…that’s pretty much what he said…and even offered up that if I could stand the noise to leave it and it wont bother me when its warm rather than spending more money 🙁 Thanks so much!
I have a Mazda 3 hatch 06, So a couple months ago i’ve noticed that sometimes when i start up my car it will start to make a squeal noise, its happening alot more now in the cooler temps. But it still happened when its hot outside. And when it doesnt happen when i start it up, almost every time the same squeal noise starts when i put the car into reverse. The noise always goes away when i rev the car to a certain RPM. Sometimes when i stop the noise will come back but not as loud and i would have to do the same procedure to get rid of the noise. I did notice the my power steering fluid was basically empty when i checked and I filled it but the car still makes the noise. What could it be?
Tristen,
Thanks for your question about your Mazda and thanks for all the information about the problem! Hopefully your problem is just coming from your power steering system. Since your power steering reservoir was empty it sounds like you have a leak in the system. The easiest way to stop the leak is to add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak available here: http://bit.ly/13eKpuJ. It will take a few days both for the leak to seal and the air pockets to be pushed out of your power steering system so you may still hear the squealing for a day or 2. If the squealing continues past that it is possible that your belt got damaged when your power steering fluid was first low which caused the belt to slip on the pulley. You can usually tell by looking at the belt while the engine is not running. If it looks shiny, cracked or the ribs are worn in any areas it needs to be replaced.
I have a 2005 chevy avalanche, when taking off from a stop I get a low hum that lasts for about 3 seconds, it doesn’t do it all the time, just every now and then but has become more frequent lately. I do not notice any power loss of any kind, in acceleration or steering. I can turn wheel back and forth and no noise, I can take off and stop no noise, just every now and then I get the hum. Any ideas would be great, Thanks
Randall,
Thanks for your question about your Avalanche. Intermittent noises are some of the most difficult problems to diagnose. It is remotely possible you have a wheel bearing going bad. For more information you can check out our blog about bad wheel bearings here: https://gobdp.com/blog/bad-wheel-bearing/. It is also possible your tires are wearing oddly or one has lost its balancing weight since it only makes the sound at low speeds. Make sure your tires are balanced and regularly rotated to solve this problem. It is also possible that one of your drive shaft u-joints is starting to wear out. On acceleration your suspension flexes which changes the angle of the driveshaft which may be enough to cause the u-joint to hum until you get to a certain speed and the suspension relaxes.
I have a 01 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. Every time I turn a corner and am not giving it any gas and then I put my foot back on the gas pedal my transmission slips and my RPM’s race until I take my foot off. I have had the filter and fluid changed, it stopped the problem for about a month or so but has started it again and now it’s joined by a whining sound and is now hesitant like if it were a standard taking off in drive. I was wondering if you might know what is the problem? Thank you Theresa.
Theresa,
Thanks for your question about your Jeep, and I’m sorry your transmission is giving you problems. The first thing to do is check your transmission fluid level. The transmission fluid dip stick should be on the driver’s side of your engine at the very back with a yellow handle. You should check the fluid level while your Jeep is running. The fluid should be red, not dirty or black and between the high and low marks. If you have low transmission fluid it could be causing your problems and evidence of a fluid leak. If you do have a leak, you can add BlueDevil Transmission Sealer to your transmission fluid through the dip stick tube using a small funnel. BlueDevil Transmission Sealer will seal your transmission leak, and then you can top it off with the recommended transmission fluid. You can purchase BlueDevil Transmission Sealer here: http://bit.ly/16JIVMM
If you do not have a low fluid level then your transmission is likely starting to wear out and may need to be rebuilt or replaced. At that point it is best to have it serviced by a transmission specialist.
I brought my Chrsyler TC 2003 for transmission repair wherein they stated that the ff. were replaced. A604 Pump GAsket, Pump O’ring, Seal, Axle Seal, Pressure Plate, Filter, O/D Friction, O/D & Under Dr. Steel were replaced and after five months I hear whining sound and a drag is felt when I shift from Park (P) to Reverse then to Drive. The speedmeter is also erratic. I need urgent help, please advise. Raymund
Raymund,
Thanks for your question about your Chrysler. The best thing to do would be to take it back to the shop you had the work done as they may help you at a reduced cost since it was just worked on. The whining sound you’re hearing is probably the fluid pump and could just be a result of low transmission fluid. If you check your transmission fluid and discover a low level add BlueDevil Transmission Sealer to seal the leak. You can purchase BlueDevil Transmission Sealer here: http://bit.ly/16JIVMM. If you do not have a low fluid level, it is possible something in your transmission, such as the pump, is wearing out and you should have it checked by a specialist.
I have an 05 jeep grand cherokee 5.7 liter hemi. Started making a whining noise when first started and also when turning the wheel to either side at slow speeds. I figured it was a the power steering pump. I replaced the old one with a remanufactured pump. The whining is now much worse. It’s not too loud at idle, but increases significantly with higher RPMs and also gets higher pitched. I noticed (during installation) when pushing the pulley onto the new pump’s shaft, i was unable to turn the pulley freely. So, i figured the pulley was on there too tight. I used the pulley puller tool to pull it off a bit, to where it would turn, but not super easily. Could this be the reason for the whining noise? could the pulley still be too tight on the pump? I also bled the PS system by turning the wheel right to left several times with the engine off and the front wheels jacked up off the ground, refilling the reservoir each time i did this. I tried to follow all the procedures for ps pump replacement properly, but I’m at a loss as to why the whining is still there and even worse then before. Any ideas. Also, another question i have is; is the vehicle safe to drive to a mechanic if need be, or could it potentially cause damage to the engine driving it? Thanks for your time
Chad,
Thanks for your question about your ‘05 Cherokee. It sounds like you’re on the right track diagnosing your problem as being with the power steering pump. It is odd that your vehicle continued making the sound after you replaced the pump. If the power steering pump pulley was on too tight it would likely make more of a grinding or whirring noise than a similar whine to what you heard before. The fact that the new pump didn’t turn very easily makes me wonder if it was faulty out of the box as the pulley should turn smoothly on a new pump. The other possibility is that you have a clog in your power steering rack making it difficult for the pump to push fluid through it making the whining sound. You may consider flushing your steering system by removing the return line from the pump and running the engine for a short time while adding new fluid to the reservoir.
Also, there is a technical service bulletin for your year Grand Cherokee that indicates a special power steering fluid should be used. It may be worth contacting a Jeep dealer to make sure you are using the proper fluid which may help quite down the pump.
Help! I think i have air in my powersteering. Would this also cause the fluid level to constantly be low?
Thom-
Yes, this could potentially cause the fluid to be low or the sensor to trigger and tell you the fluid is low.
-BDP
Hi,
I have a 2000 dodge caravan. My husband just replaced the thermostat but now while accelerating the van makes a whining and almost grinding sound. There is no noise while idling.
Katie,
Thanks for your question about your Caravan. Replacing the thermostat in your minivan should not have effected anything that would make a sound like you’re describing so it is possible that the noise is a coincidence with the thermostat replacement. Just to be sure, you can try checking to make sure there aren’t any tools left in the engine bay of your vehicle and all wires and hoses are clear of any of the belts or rotating equipment on the engine. If your husband removed any belts you can also check to make sure they are centered on all the pulleys and not misaligned.
You can also try checking your coolant level and power steering fluid level as these two systems may make the noises you are hearing if they are low on fluid. You can check your coolant level in the coolant overflow bottle, or by opening your radiator cap while the engine is cold to make sure the radiator is full. If it is not, you can add antifreeze until the radiator is full and to the overflow bottle up to the “cold” mark. You can check the power steering fluid level by using the dip stick under the cap.
If you discover a low power steering fluid level you can using BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak to seal your leak so you don’t get a low power steering fluid level again this sound doesn’t return. You can purchase BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak here: http://bit.ly/13eKpuJ
If you don’t discover any low fluid levels it may be another one of your accessories going bad and may be worth taking your van to a mechanic to diagnose the problem.
I have a 1999 Ford Escort Zx2. After about 10 minutes of driving a loud squealing/whistling sound will start coming from the front of my car. If I press on my accelerator then the sound will stop after increasing in pitch a little bit, but then it will begin again a couple seconds later and wont stop until I press on the gas. If the car starts making the sound as I’m about to stop at a light then the whole time Im idling the car will be squealing until I press on the gas to resume driving. If I turn the car off while its making the sound, then it kinda makes a sound similar to when you slowly let air out of an inflated balloon while pinching the piece in which you blow air into. Kinda like in one of those Aamco commericals actually. But yeah I noticed the car making the sound when I first got it but it was very very faint and you could barely hear it. NOW its extremely loud and ugly sounding. Any ideas?
Ryan,
Thanks for your question about your 99 Escort. The way you described the noise as a squealing or squeaking makes me think it’s time for a new serpentine belt for your car. The serpentine belt is driven by the pulley on the crankshaft of your motor and it turns the pulleys for your alternator, power steering pump, and AC compressor. Over time these belts can get worn out, cracked or dried causing them to squeal especially at low engine RPM.
Replacing the serpentine belt is something you may be able to do yourself. Using a wrench you can loosen the belt tensioner by turning it clockwise. Simply slip off the old belt and slip the new one over the pulleys. Make sure you have the belt routed around each pulley exactly the way the old one was and that the belt is centered on all the pulleys before you release the tensioner. While you have the old belt off, you can also try turning all the pulleys by hand to make sure they all turn freely. If one drags or feels stuck and hard to turn, it like has bad bearings and will need to be replaced before you put the new belt on. If this doesn’t stop the squealing you may also need to replace your belt tensioner to get the proper tension on the serpentine belt.
My 2000 Explorer recently began to squeal up front. I treated the fairly new belt with belt treatment and nothing changed. A mechanic said the tensioner may be bad. This weekend I changed the engine oil and now the noise is gone.
I use to change all my own oil but gotten lazy and started taking it in for oil changes. I found the filter was very loose and oil was leaking from the filter seal.
Could low oil cause this squeal and is it a sound that I’m going to have major engine work soon.
The vehicle still has plenty of power and I don’t think it has low compression.
It has about 150,000 miles on it.
Jaime-
Yes, the low oil may have contributed the the noise you had previously been experiencing. The fact that you described it as a “squeal” would lead us to believe it was belt or belt tensioner related as you mentioned. If the noise comes back you should check that the tensioner is set properly.
-BDP
I have a whisting noise coming from my car when i put my foot down however u can only hear it inside of my car HELP ME !!!
Sophie,
Thanks for your question, and I’m sorry your car is whistling. It sounds like you have a vacuum leak somewhere in your car. Your engine draws air in as its running which creates a vacuum. That vacuum is used for different things, depending on the make a model of your car, including possibly operating some equipment inside the cabin of your car. The whistling you are hearing is probably due to a leak or break in one of the vacuum lines in your car. At the break, a small amount of air will be sucked into the hose, often causing a whistling noise. Unfortunately vacuum leaks can be very difficult to track down since the hoses are all very small and there are quite a few of them. It may be worth having a mechanic take a look at your car to find the leak for you.
Whenever i crank my car up it make this whining noise and it last for like 10 mins until i turn my heat on , and then when i slow down it still makes it . and every time i turn my steering wheel it makes this noise also , what should i do ?
Takarra-
The first thing you should check is the power steering fluid level. Low power steering fluid will often cause a “whining” sound that is very similar to what you have described. If it turns out the level is low then you may have a leak. In that instance you should add 1/3 of a bottle of BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak and refill your power steering fluid to get it to the proper level.
-BDP
ok lets see if you can help me.
i have a 1996 jetta 2.0L automatic and it began making a loud whining/squealing noise, at first only when i put it into drive (no noise in reverse), for just a few seconds, getting louder the more i accelerated but stopped after a few seconds and drove fine. Then i noticed a substantial amount of power loss from a stationary position like taking off from a stop sign, i barely make it across an intersection and once the car got up to speed it ran normal.
ive let the car sit for a couple weeks now while i researched the problem, and i tested it today, now it makes the noise as soon as i started it and in reverse(not as loud) and louder in drive, gettinmg louder the more i accelerate. still major loss of power.
im stumped, can you help?
Jay-
It sounds like you definitely have a squealing engine belt. We recommend that you read an article we have previously posted in regards to this: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/. This article should help you find an easy solution to the noise you have been experiencing.
-BDP
I know im out of power steering fluid. But im stranded atm. What improvised fluids can I use if any at.all?
Sara-
The only substitute that you could consider is Automatic Transmission Fluid. However, we would advise against doing so as many power steering units can be sensitive to the type of fluid that should be used.
-BDP
I have a BMW 328is and it is making a whining sound everytime I step on the acceleration when it is idling it’s not as loud but when I accelerate it gets louder please help
Letia-
The most likely culprit is your serpentine belt. It can squeal/whine for various reasons such as: the belts tension is too loose or tight, fluid has leaked onto the belt, or it may simply need replaced. We recommend that you read an article we have previously posted in regards to this: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/. This article should help you better understand the problem at hand and find a solution.
-BDP
Dear Auto Geniuses,
I have a 06′ Hyundai Sonata kept in excellent condition, regular services. When I back out of the driveway in the morning, the second I put the car in reverse, no acceleration, a high pitched whine happens. It gets louder when I put the pedal down. Put the car in drive and once I’m half way down the street, the noise is gone. Doesn’t happen during the day except a few times when it was as cold as the usual low Temps (Georgia kind of cold 28-35°). Took it in and of course, didn’t make noise there. They said they took a look at everything. The noise is really annoying and while it’s not ridiculously loud, it must drive neighbours crazy.
Thank you 🙂
Tracy-
The way you have described the noise leads us to believe you are hearing the brake warning tabs. They are there to let you know when the brake pads are worn and need to be replaced.
We recommend taking your Hyundai in to have the brakes checked out.
Thank You!
-BDP
I have a 2005 Hinda accord. I just fixed the AC compressor today and I started hearing a squeaking sound when I turn the steering either right or left as I drive. My power steering fluid is not low though It is leaking.
Toyin,
It does sound like your power steering pump is causing the problem since it only happens when you are turning left or right. It could be that your belt simply needs to be replaced as old belts will tend to squeak as the rubber gets brittle or glazed. For more information about squeaking belts you can check out our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
To help fix your power steering leak you can pick up a bottle of BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak available here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/. It is possible that a low power steering fluid level has damaged your power steering pump causing it to be harder for the belt to turn which may also be causing the squeaking. The article above will help you determine if your power steering pump is the problem. If you have any more questions, please leave us a comment on the bottom of that article.
My boyfriend has a 05 subaru forester . When he turns it on and turns it makes a noise cant be the brakes because they are new. He put power steering wheel fluid and nothing has happened any other things that it can be ? And his check engine light is now on.
Maria,
Thanks for your question about your boyfriend’s Forester. From your description, my best guess would be it is a belt squealing. often times when you first start up your car they can squeak, squeal or screech. For more information on squeaking belts and how to fix them you can check out our article about it here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
The other thing you can do is check your engine oil level to make sure you have enough oil. If you have a low oil level, it can cause your engine to tick, click or clunk when you first start it up. If you have any more questions or the problem you are having doesn’t sound like the above article describes, please leave us another comment.
My Jeep Grand Cherokee 00″ engine will not stop whining on idle , I’ve changed both the belt and the tension pulleys , and it still won’t stop. Not only that but sometimes when I’m driving , my engine will just go out . When my car starts whining I get nervous because idk when it’s going to happen again . Idk what else to do .
Malachi,
Thanks for your question about your Grand Cherokee. First, I’d like you to check out our article about belt noises to make sure when you replaced the belt you had the chance to check all the pulleys. here is the article: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
Usually, a whining noise is associated with a bad power steering pump, or low power steering fluid. I would start by checking the power steering fluid reservoir and making sure its full. If you find a low fluid level, use BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/). This will seal your leak making sure you don’t have a low fluid level again.
Ordinarily, neither of these problems would be enough to cause your engine to shut off. If you have a check engine light, I would start by pulling the codes to see if that can lead you to the source of the problem. It also could be a vacuum leak that is causing the noise. Usually these sound more like a whistle, but may sound like a whine if they are large enough and could also cause the engine to die at idle. Try checking your vacuum hoses, intake hose and air box for cracks, breaks or holes that might let air in.
Same here my engine makes a whining sound only when it’s cold and it gets louder as the rpms increase until about 2000 then it completely disappears until I drop below 2000 again. And it’s canada kinda cold so it’s -30 right now. Any suggestions? All my fluids are topped up as well.
Justin-
The most likely culprit is your serpentine belt. It can squeal/whine for various reasons such as: the belts tension is too loose or tight, fluid has leaked onto the belt, or it may simply need replaced. We recommend that you read an article we have previously posted in regards to this: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/. This article should help you better understand the problem at hand and hopefully help you in finding a solution.
Thanks!
-BDP
My power steering fluid is leaking under the car around the middle what could this be coming from
Stephanie-
Most likely the power steering fluid is leaking out around one of the seals. We recommend adding 1/3 of a bottle of BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak to help remedy this problem.
Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
-BDP
I have a 2014
Dodge Durango that makes a horrible night pitch noise
When it’s cold outside. I realized
It was related to when I turned on the heat. I called the dodge dealership and the guy said
The same thing happens to his bmw- I guess to make me think it’s normal and happens to all cars. I don’t feel like his answer is good enough considering its still a new car and shouldn’t be having these types of
Issues. Any advice on what to do?
Marti-
With your vehicle being a 2014 it is more than likely still under warranty. A high-pitched noise is definitely not normal and it is understandable that you have some concern.
We recommend taking the vehicle back to the Dodge dealership, or potentially another Dodge dealer, to be looked at.
Thank You!
-BDP
My van has been screeching in the morning when I start it and some while I am driving. Now when it is idling or slowing down for a turn, it dies. The car just stops…steering wheel is hard to turn, engine and battery light come on. It has been really cold here so I thought it was weather related but today was the warmest it’s been in days and it was worse. Help!
Shannon-
You likely have a loose or warn belt accessory belt. Most vehicles only have 1 belt and it can usually be changed fairly easily. Before changing your accessory belt, inspect it for obvious wear or cracks. If it appears to be in good shape, it is possible the tension needs to be adjusted. You can find the proper tensioning procedures in your vehicles owner’s manual. When the tension is not set properly the alternator will not charge the battery properly and the vehicle can shut off just as you have experienced.
The other possibility is simply that the alternator needs to be replaced.
Thanks!
-BDP
Hey, I’ve gotten my power steering and my rib belt replaced… now its whining worse than before i’ve kind of located it near the alternator, would an faulty alternator cause a whining sound… maybe a bearing inside one of the pulleys, It whines louder now so all through rpm/gears, but originally it whined while going down in gears, I could hear it physically change pitch while going down, i’m alittle stuck…. Also she starts up but kind of spins like its about to go out… but continues to fire right.
Billy-
Your description makes it a little difficult to tell what the problem is. First, it could be the belt or one of your pulleys causing the whining you are hearing. Sometimes a bad bearing in the alternator or idler pulley will whine before it goes completely bad. For more information about how to identify a bad bearing in a pulley, check out our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
Your description of the way your car started also makes us believe you may have another problem. If your vehicle has trouble starting or idling and there is a whistling or whining noise it can be an indication of vacuum leak. That means one of the hoses has a crack or hole in it and is allowing air to be pulled into your engine without going through the filter. This hole or crack will whistle or whine while the engine is running. The best way to find a vacuum leak is to simply pop the hood and carefully look over all the rubber hoses to make sure each is attached properly and is in good condition.
Thank You!
-BDP
Hi I have an whining noise when I start my 1998 Ford F150 in the cold. It does it for maybe a minute and then goes away. I have no idea what is is but I know it is coming from the engine compartment. Thank you for the time.
Brandon-
The most likely culprit is your serpentine belt. It can whine for various reasons such as: the belts tension is too loose or too tight, fluid has leaked onto the belt, or it may simply need replaced. We recommend that you read an article we have previously posted in regards to this: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/. This article should help you better understand the problem at hand and find a solution.
Thank you for the question!
-BDP
Hi,
I’ve got a mitsubishi lancer 08. It sounds fine until I get up to a decent speed when it sounds like something is revving high (but is not the engine as the sound stays when the gear is changed but not the speed.
Around a month ago the steering had become light occasionally going around some bends. When this happened I had the wheel alignment done but it didn’t help at all.
Have you got any suggestions?
Thanks
Chris-
Thanks for your question about your 2008 Lancer. From your description, it sounds like you have a bad wheel bearing. Wheel bearing issues will stay constant with your vehicle’s speed rather than the engine RPM. For more information about bad wheel bearings and the symptoms, try reading our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/bad-wheel-bearing/. It is also possible that you simple have poorly worn tires and they are causing the noise, so you can always try rotating your tires to see if the noise changes.
You mentioned your steering becoming light in corners which is probably an unrelated issue to the noise you are hearing. That is most likely caused by a worn suspension component. If a reputable shop did your alignment then you can hopefully rule out your tie rods being bad. It could be that your control arms or struts have bad bushings or need to be replaced. It is best to have those checked by a mechanic as well as it will be difficult to do without having your car on a lift.
-BDP
Hi, I drive a 2009 4 cylinder ford fusion. There’s a whining noise that comes from the passenger side of the engine that is steadily there when the car is one but it doesn’t get loud enough to hear in the cabin of the car until I start accelerating. Sometimes its really loud and other times its not so much. What could this issue be?
Jimmy-
It is possible that a worn belt or one of your pulleys are causing the whining you are hearing. Sometimes a bad bearing in the alternator or idler pulley will cause a whine before it goes completely bad. For more information about how to identify a bad bearing in a pulley, you may check out the article we had previously posted: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/. Hopefully this will help you track down the problem and find an easy solution.
Thank You!
-BDP
I drive a 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.7 Liter/V6.
I recently purchased the SUV, and it drove very well for a short time. My issue is this:
From the moment I turn my vehicle on it gives off this high pitched squealing noise as if it’s slowly being choked to death. It continues when I drive, but the sound quiets down as decelerate. When I’m idling the squeal is barley audible.
How I attempted to fix: I had the tensioner pulley replaced. I have a brand new belt on it as well. This worked to silence the sound for about two days. I noticed that when the pulleys were removed that the largest pulley was rubbing against the plastic dust cover to the side of my engine; we tightened the cover up so I’m assuming that’s not a problem.
Also,I notice that when I’m driving if I turn my heat to defrost the sound stops completely for a few seconds; that was really odd to me.
The sound is highly annoying and I do not come from a background of mechanics. I feel as if I need a checklist of things that could possibly be wrong! Hah.
If my pulleys and my belt are all fine and not causing the squealing, then what else could there be?
Jessie-
Thanks for your question about your 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. The symptoms you describe sound like they are mostly likely a problem with a pulley or belt. It sounds like you are on the right track in getting things fixed and have a good eye seeing the pulley rubbing on the plastic cover. It was possible that cover was loose, but it is also possible that pulley is loose casing it to wobble enough to contact the plastic cover. This wobbling could also cause the squealing you are hearing and could be wearing out your belt very quickly which is why the noise came back so soon. The noise stopping for a second when you put on the defroster also makes sense as your car automatically engages the air conditioning when you put the defroster on. The momentary startup of the AC compressor is probably enough to put tension on the belt enough to stop the squeaking.
If you can, try taking the belt back off by releasing the belt tensioner. Once it is off try spinning all the pulleys by hand. They should spin very freely and free wheel for a second after you spin then. This will be true off all the pulleys accept the crank shaft pulley which should be the biggest one of the bottom. With that pulley all you can check is how tight it is so grab it with both hands and try to wobble it back and forth and up and down. If it wobbles at all you will need to have a mechanic tighten it. If any of your other pulleys wobbly or drag when you spin them, the bearings in that accessory are probably bad and it will need to be replaced.
Once you identify the problem you will unfortunately probably have to buy a new belt again as this one may already be worn out from the damaged component. If you have more questions about this, checkout our article about squeaky belts here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
-BDP
2010 Dodge Avenger when I start the car the whole front is like rattleing I rev the engine and it feels like the car wants to die I did everything oil change fuel and trasmission when I start driveing it makes a whineing sould and makes me worry when I slow down it’s a lower pitch whineing doubt any ideas
Todd-
Thanks for your question about your 2010 Avenger! The low idle and rattling sounds like you may either have a bad vacuum leak or a bad spark plug. Consider changing your spark plugs as it is a relatively inexpensive maintenance item and could help narrow down your problem. A vacuum leak would be caused by one of your vacuum hoses being cracked, broken or fallen off. Check your engine for loose, broken, or missing hoses to see if that is your problem.
The whining noise you described could be coming from your belts, or one of your accessories, but whining noises are most often associated with power steering problems. Power steering problems aren’t usually enough to make your engine die, so that problem is probably unrelated to your engine running rough. Start by checking your power steering fluid level. Your owner’s manual can help you find the power steering fluid reservoir, or you can check under your hood for a bottle with a small cap labeled “Power Steering”. A low fluid level or old fluid can cause the whining you are hearing. If your fluid is dark or dirty it may be time for a power steering fluid flush. If you find a low fluid level, add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/) to stop the leak that cause the low fluid level so you don’t have that problem again. For more information on power steering leaks, check out our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/power-steering-fluid-going/.
Thank You!
-BDP
Hey, I have a bmw 320, manual transmission. The car is making a squeaking noise when i am reversing and when i drive with the car in gear and do not have my foot on the gas. For example when I gear down from 3rd to 2nd. It appears to be coming from the rear of the car. If I hold the clutch down the noise is non existent.
I am massively confused with this….. could you help shed some light on it.
Dec-
Usually a squeaking noise coming from a vehicle with a manual transmission that changes with the use of the clutch is an indication of a worn throw-out bearing. The throw-out bearing rides on your transmission input shaft in between your clutch fork and clutch pressure plate. If that is start to get worn out it will usually squeak or squeal when your clutch is partially depressed or when you transmission from acceleration to deceleration.
If the noise really sounds like it is from your differential it could be due to your rear axles or axle seals needing to be replaced. This can be extremely difficult to diagnose without removing the axles first, so it is often just as expensive to diagnose the problem as it is to simple replace the axles and seals.
Thank You!
-BDP
My 86 f250 makes a squealing noise when I go from a stoplight and when I drove home from work today it was constant but it would stop when I push in the clutch and let off the gas but comes back after I let off the clutch and push the gas
John-
Thanks for your question about your 1986 F-250. Since the squealing noise you are describing is associated with your clutch motion, it is most likely due to your throw-out bearing going bad. The throw-out bearing rides on the input shaft of your transmission and goes in between your clutch fork and clutch pressure plate. If your throw-out bearing is going bad it will tend to squeal or squeak, or change pitch when you operate your clutch. The throw-out bearing is a relatively inexpensive part but requires the removal of your transmission to replace.
-BDP
I have a hyundai xg300,each time i start it whine or sound like a bee but when i put the jar on drive it stops though i notice there is a leakage in one of the hose.could that be d problem
Daniel-
Thanks for your question about your Hyundai XG300. It sounds like the leakage you have noticed is causing the whining sound you are hearing. You need to start by checking all the fluid levels to identify what it is that is leaking. Most likely you will find a low power steering fluid level or a low transmission fluid level. If you find a low power steering fluid level add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/) and then top off the system with the recommended type of power steering fluid. If you find a low transmission fluid level, add BlueDevil Transmission Sealer (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/transmission-sealer-00236/) and top off your transmission fluid with the recommended type of transmission fluid.
-BDP
I have an 08 Dodge Durango. As I was driving down the highway my car suddenly changed pitch from a low revving to a very high pitch revving that got higher as I increased the rpms. It sounds like the it would if the power steering has an issue but the power steering is working just fine. I also noticed that when starting my car it takes about 2 seconds longer to turn over. Is this just a simple fix or is something seriously wrong?
Andrew,
Thanks for your question about your 2008 Dodge Durango. It is possible that the problems are related so we recommend trying the easy fix first. The second problem you described about longer starts is probably due to regular maintenance issues like needing to replace the fuel filter, change your spark plugs or perform a fuel system cleaning for your injectors. You can try having a regular tune up performed to see if that helps your Durango start more easily and see if that also fixes the revving problem on the highway.
If that doesn’t fix all of your problems, the high pitch revving you are describing is hard to diagnose without hearing, so you may need to take your car to a mechanic. It could be something as simple as a loose vacuum hose or worn belt, or it could indicate a problem with your transmission.
1993 Cadillac sedan deville, it has a whining noise while idling in park after running for about 3 to 5 minutes. It seems to only be in park at first then when I put it in reverse it goes away, shift into drive and there it is again. It does pitch with acceleration.And it seems to be at its worst after the vehicle has been running for a bit
Nate-
It sounds like the noise you are hearing is from an accessory belt or the belt tension. We have previously posted an article that should answer these questions for you. The article can be viewed here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/
Thank You!
-BDP
Wondering what the whining sound is coming from my van 2007 Montana Van…happens when u accerlate? Changed the idler pulleys & it is not that
Denise-
Along with the idler pulley, you may have also needed a new belt. The squeaking noise you are hearing is from the belt slipping on a pulley so as it is slipping and squeaking it is also heating up where it slips and could be glazed or become brittle at that point. Even with a new idler pulley these glazed areas of the belt could still make the squeaking noise you are hearing. A new belt along with your new idler pulley would solve this problem.
Thank You!
-BDP
I have a 2002 Audi A4. I took it in today because my car was making whining sounds when turning. I had the same problem about 3 months ago, and they said I should replace the power steering pump and flush out the system because the fluid was a funny color. I declined and I drove away and the sound was gone and turning was normal. About 1-2 months later, the sounds started again, so today (about a month after the sounds came back again) I decided to bring it back in and just replace the fluid. The mechanic now says there is a significant leak in the right rack and pinion assembly coming from the bellow boot. They said my power steering system was empty upon arrival, so they topped it off, and it was basically empty by the time I left. However, driving away from the auto shop, all the sounds were gone and steering was normal. Is this big of a leak fixable with BlueDevil, or would I be better off replacing the rack and pinion assembly?
TJ-
Thanks for your question about your 2004 Audi A4. If your power steering system is emptying out in less than 1 hour your leak is most likely pretty significant and realistically you will need to replace the rack and pinion to solve the problem. You will know the system is empty of fluid when your steering wheel becomes extremely difficult to turn, which will usually be accompanied by the whining noise you are describing. If it has been a few days and you still can turn your steering wheel easily, your leak is probably slower than the mechanics made it out to be and BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak should easily seal the leak. All BlueDevil products are backed by our money back guarantee as long as they are purchased directly from our website (http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/) or from one of our authorize retailers (https://gobdp.com/storelocator/) so you may consider trying our Power Steering Leak Stop before replacing the steering rack to see if it can seal the leak.
Thank You!
-BDP
My Nissan frontier is making a squeasy whining noise each time I turn it on, you can heart it as well when I press on the accelerator. It’s been to the shop recently because they changed a whole bunch of emission and engine things. The noise didn’t start until I got it back. The mechanic said it was because he washed the engine and the fan is dry, should I be worried?
Gabriela-
Thanks for your question about your Nissan Frontier. Engine belts do usually squeak if you get them wet so if your mechanic did wash your engine, it wouldn’t be surprising if the belts squeaked after that. Once things have dried off and you’ve driven a few miles the squeaking should stop. If it is still squeaking every time you start your engine you may bring your Frontier back to the mechanic and ask him to take a look and possibly replace the belt.
It is also possible that the squeaking is just a coincidence and you have other problems. For more information on squeaky belts, check out our article about engine belt noise here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
Thank You!
-BDP
I have a 2014 Chevy Suburban that is making a whining/winding noise when I accerlate and brake. I’ve had the air pressure checked and it was fine. Could this be because of the power steering fluid or is it something else?
Ashley-
Thanks for your question about your Suburban. The best thing to do would be to have a Chevy dealership take a look at your truck to see if they can identify the problem and fix it while it is still under warranty.
Based on your description it doesn’t sound like your problem is a power steering issue as you usually would only hear the whining noise while accelerating or turning the steering wheel, not during braking. Since you hear the noise both on acceleration and braking it sounds more like you have a wheel bearing issue, worn tread on your tires, or part of your drivetrain needs to be lubricated, possibly the u-joints in your drive shaft. Worn tire tread can be remedied by rotating your tires and all the other problems should be covered under your warranty.
-BDP
My 2006 Toyota Corolla S whines when revs are raised, power steering fluid is fine, it sounds like the noise is coming from the front passenger side(aka the front of the engine, it sits sideways, the belts face the passenger side wheel). My fluid levels are fine, what else could be wrong?
Trace,
Thanks for your question about your Corolla. Great job checking all the fluids and making sure everything is safe in your car. Even if the power steering fluid is full, the whining you are hearing may be an indication that the pump is going bad and will need to be replaced soon. It could also be an indication that a bearing is going bad in another accessory or simply that your belt needs to be replaced. For a quick read on how to tell if your belt needs to be replaced and how to diagnose those sounds, check out our article about belt noises here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
HI!
I found your site to be most helpful so far, but thought I would ask as I know every problem could be different. It’s a 2007 Honda accord Coupe, V6, 35K miles. Just yesterday, I heard this very loud screeching when I accelerated and was softer when I was at a stop. Later in the afternoon, it was much more subdued, but still there. Very low miles for a 2007 and sits a lot, so it was in one spot for almost a week, and then this sound started. Could this and DC humidity be playing a roll here? Never had the timing belt done or any other belts replaced.
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Cat-
A squeaky belt may just mean you need to replace the belt or tensioner, or it could be an indication that another accessory that uses the belt is going bad. For a better description of that problem and how to determine how to fix it, check out our article about squeaky engine belts here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
Thank You!
-BDP
i have a 2001 bmw 325i, the power steering is leaking and need a new hose, is there a certain one i should buy? there is also a ticking noise coming from the motor, whats the cheapest way to fix this problem?
Austin,
Thanks for your question about your BMW. The power steering hoses in your BMW are specific to your vehicle and engine so you should get the specific hose either from an auto parts store or your local BMW dealership. Before you spend all that money on a new hose, try BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/). If you purchase BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak from our website or at one of our approved retailers we guarantee it to seal your leak!
The ticking noise coming from your motor may be from an exhaust leak, but it is most likely due to valve noise. For a quick read on ticking noises your motor can make and how to solve them, check out our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-ticking/
Thanks again!
-BlueDevil Pro
my Toyota Corolla 2001 makes an annoying noise down the hood especial when I turn the steering wheel to the left side, I changed the rod ends, both arms and front shocks, the sound is still there, I’m thinking it could be the steering rack, but um not sure. plis help
Thuso,
Thanks for your question about your 2001 Corolla. If the noise you are hearing is a creak, clunk or grinding noise you might still have a suspension problem. Check out our article about suspension noise to see if that is your problem: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaky-suspension/.
If the noise you are describing is more of a screech or squeal, then you might have a problem with the belts in your engine that is showing up when you turn your steering wheel. To see if you have an engine belt problem, try reading our article about noisy belts here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/.
Your steering rack usually doesn’t make any noise even if it is broken, it will simply leak. Your inner tie rod ends connect to your steering rack so if you discover those to be bad during your suspension inspection you can simply replace them and your problem should be solved. If you do find a leak from you power steering rack use BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak to seal your leak and return your power steering system to normal. You can purchase BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/.
I have skoda octavia 1.9 TDI. i park my car on the driveway and once engine is warm 90 degrees and i apply the neutral gear the hole engine shakes several times and then for a while runs normally and after a couple of seconds shaking bad again sounds like is choking. What i have noticed is – when i turn the steering wheel and keep for a moment it stops shaking but once i straighten the steering wheel engine starts shaking badly again. Please if anyone has any ideas help and share. Thank You all Best regards Dave.
David,
Thanks for your question about your Skoda Octavia. If the shaking is related to turning the steering wheel while stopped, one possibility may be the idle up controls being faulty. Most vehicles with 4 cylinder engines have a system to raise the idle slightly if you try turning the steering wheel while stopped to make sure the engine doesn’t stall. If that system isn’t working correctly, turning your wheel while stopped could slow down your engine idle enough to cause it to shake noticeably. Usually the system is controlled by engine vacuum so you can start by inspecting vacuum lines near your power steering pumps to make sure they are not cracked or leaking.
Oh, I need suggestions! We have a 20 year old Mazda B-2300 that makes a howling noise that sounds like it’s coming from up front, passenger side (we think). It was making it only when it was going about 25-30mph, but no other time. We had both front wheel bearings re-packed….then replaced, to no avail. We have also recently replaced front and rear brakes (new drums in back, rotors machined up front), but it was making the howling noise before we did the brakes, and replacing them had no effect on the sound.
The other day I drove it. It was wet and rainy, and it didn’t make any noise. This morning my husband drove it to work and it sounded horrible, even at faster speeds (possibly slower ones too, I’m not sure), until he went through a puddle. Then, it went all quiet. He was nearly to work by then, and it didn’t start back to howling.
This makes me think it’s lubrication or maybe a belt, but I’m certainly no mechanic. I would LOVE your ideas and suggestions.
Laura,
Thanks for your question! It sounds like you’ve done just about everything we would suggest in getting the problem fixed! If the truck is a 4 wheel drive then the only other possibility is that it is a front CV joint. Since those are covered by boots you cannot inspect them while they’re still on the truck. You can usually test CV joints by driving slowly in a tight circle and listen for a crunching noise.
The other possibility is that your tires need to be aligned or rotated. Poorly worn tread can often cause a howling sound. Try switching the front tires to the back and seeing if that changes the sound at all. Also, you may consider having the front end aligned to see if anything has gotten off over the years.
I have a 2006 dodge charger im hearing a loud whinning notice when I turn the wheel and when im driving mechanic says the pump seems to be pumping but he did see a little moisture around coolant shield he said it may have come from me just adding fluid to it any suggestions?
Vicci-
A whine like you described is usually associated with a power steering problem. The first thing to do is always check the fluid level and condition. Make sure your power steering fluid is bright and clean and at the proper level. A low fluid level can cause the pump to whine. Simply refilling the system will leave you with a low fluid level again in the future so make sure you add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (availibe here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/)
If your power steering fluid level and condition is good then you may simply have a clog in your system, or the pump might be in the very early stages of failure. A clog in your line or steering rack will raise the pressure in the system causing your pump to whine as it’s working harder to move the fluid. In this case a fluid flush can help remove the clog and get things back to normal. Lastly if the pump is starting to go bad, the whining should get louder and louder until the pump develops a slow leak from around the shaft. If that happens, you’re looking at getting a new power steering pump.
Thank You!
-BDP
My car has a rattling noise but I see fluid coming out of my power steering pump, especially if I turn the wheel to left. Is it just my pump or the line too, I still have fluid in the car. Can this happen by cutting your wheel to tight?
Meka-
Based on your description it sounds like you should just need to replace your power steering pump, not the line. The rattling noise is most likely a bad bearing in your power steering pump so replacing the pump will get you a new pulley and bearing and hopefully stop the rattling and leaking fluid. There is no way to damage your power steering pump by turning your wheels too tight and as long as your car is in good shape, you shouldn’t be able to damage the steering rack either. If you find fluid still leaking after you install a new pump add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak available here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/.
-BDP
I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport it started making a whinning noise but didn’t effect the vehicle. It just recently started making a louder noise when i was going at slower speed and/or turning. If i come to a complete stop my RPMs go down then my car shuts off. I replaced the pulleys 2 months ago. What can be the problem?
Junior-
Thanks for your question about your 2000 Montero. The only problem that we can connect to a whining noise and stalling is if you had an air leak somewhere in your intake system. This would be caused by a broken hose or loose connection in the air intake system. Check under the hood for broken hoses or loose connections and repair any that seem loose or broken.
The whining noise you are describing sounds more like a power steering pump problem, usually caused by a low fluid level. On your car, the power steering fluid reservoir is on the passenger side fender near the rear of the engine bay. There is a dip stick under the cap that will tell you if the fluid level is low. If it is, you have a leak in your system causing a low fluid level and the whining noise you are hearing. Add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/) to your reservoir to seal the leak and stop your low fluid level.
Thank You!
-BDP
I have a 2006 chrysler town and country. It started making a whining noise as I was pulling into the parking lot. Started suddenly, did an oil change 2 weeks ago and nothing unusual came up (but I’m not sure what they did and didn’t check). I don’t know anything about cars so I don’t have a lot of info. You can hear it as soon as you turn the engine on and gets higher pitched when I get the gas. Only thing usual is my bf and I have been living in it for about a week til we can move into our apartment, so the ac has been on and engine running idle. Is it even safe to drive to get it to a mechanic?
Michelle-
Yes, it sounds like you have an accessory belt squealing/squeaking it would be perfectly safe to drive the car for a period of time until you can address the problem.
Thank You!
-BDP
My car makes a quiet whining sound after I hit 2.5 rpm or above. It also feels like it has trouble accelerating since I have noticed this. The car is barely 30,000 miles.
Lyndsey,
Usually, whining noises are associated with low power steering fluid or broken power steering pumps. If your power steering pump was broken enough to cause accelerating problems, the noise would be overwhelming and obvious. The other possibility is that your car has a vacuum leak somewhere. A vacuum leak would allow your engine to draw in unmeasured air and would cause it to run poorly. Depending on the size and shape of the leak, it could cause a whining noise and not affect anything until 2500 RPM. Try checking under your hood for loose hoses, tubes, and connections in between your air filter and your throttle body.
I have a 2002 Ford Focus and the car runs great except when I accelerate I notice a whine that sounds like when you are about to shift and once you shift that noise goes away. I have an automatic transmission so it shifts on its own and does so very nicely. Any ideas what could be causing the issue? I thought maybe it was my tires because I had one that was kind of soft and needed to be replaced but after doing so the noise is still prevalent.
Anita,
Thanks for your question about your Ford Focus. The whining noise you are describing seems to be relatively common with your year Focus. It seems like the noise is coming from the transmission and might not end up causing you problems. The first thing we would recommend is having your transmission serviced with a fluid change. Ford recommends this every 30,000 miles in your car so if you’re due or close to due for a change, it may help quite down the whining noise you are hearing.
i have a 2003 ford escape and it is making a whining whistling sound when i accelerate but gets quiet when its idling. could this be my power steering fluid low ? I haven’t checked it yet it started this morning on my way to work. It was fine yesterday.
Kristina-
Thanks for your question about your Ford Escape. The noise you are describing does sound like a whining power steering pump. We would recommend checking your power steering fluid level. You can check your owner’s manual for a description of how to do that. If you do find a low fluid level use BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/) to seal your leak, then top off the reservoir with the recommended type of fluid to stop the whining sound.
-BDP
I have a 2007 Honda Accord, I’ve had both power steering pump and pulley replaced less than a year ago. I have a constant whining noise when I drive, turn the wheel or just sitting still… What could this possibly be?!? please help me!
thanks!
Ebonie-
Whining noises are usually associated with power steering problems. Start by checking your power steering fluid level. If it’s low it probably is what is causing your whining. Add BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/) to seal the leak and top off your power steering fluid to stop the whining noise. If the whining noise seems to change with gear shifts or is coming from your transmission it could be an indication that it is time for new transmission fluid.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2007 Camry.
I start hearing weird sound only during the first 15s when the car starts moving. Also, the sound will only happen when the car has stopped for more than 2 hours. After short stop, the car won’t have any sound during the first 15s when the car starts moving.
What could be the possible reason?
Thanks!!
Kenneth-
It is very difficult to make a potential diagnosis based on your description. There are so many different things that can be causing various “sounds” with your vehicle. We would need a little more detail as to what particular sound you are hearing and where it seems like it is coming from.
You could always stop into a certified mechanic to have the car looked at and diagnosed.
Thank You!
-BDP
Good Evening.
I drive a tata indica. The head was done a while back and we had problems with timing that is now sorted out. We also replaced the water pump. The car was running fine for about a month but recently while idling it has been making a low pitched noise that seems to change as the engine idles. I dont believe its a timing issue as the car performs well on the road.
The noise seems to go away when i accelerate but comes back when i have slowed down below 30kmph. I know the one fan belt has to be replaced but that is a completely different noise.
I have not replaced any kind of transmission or steering fluid since i bought the car 3 years ago. The oil would have been replaced when the head was done. The alternator could be the cause of the issue as it was giving issues right after i got the car but we had it repaired.
Pixelite,
Thanks for your question about Indica. Usually noises while idling come from a vacuum leak, belts or bad bearings in engine accessories. To check for vacuum leaks, look for loose or broken vacuum hoses around your engine bay. They will be the smallest hoses on your engine and you might need to remove them to check for leaks. You’ve already mentioned that the noise probably isn’t coming from a belt but for a quick read on belt noise you can check out our article about that here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/. Lastly, the noise you’re describing could be an indication that one of your accessories like the power steering pump or alternator is starting to go bad. If that is the case the noise should get louder with time and you may notice that belt getting loose.
Hope your can help. I have a 2004 Ford Taurus. My issue is that my car was running fine. I backed out of my driveway put the car into drive got about 2 feet then it just quit moving. It started this high pitch whining noise. In park it was louder. It will not go into reverse or park but the whining noise isn’t as loud then either. Could it be the torque converter? Someone told me to check the filter first before I buy anything expensive. I check the transmission fluid and no problems there.
Beverly,
Thanks for your question about your 2004 Taurus. If you’re car won’t go into drive or move then you’re definitely looking at a transmission problem, especially with the whining noise you’re hearing. It could possibly be your torque converter, but those are relatively simple machines and don’t often fail. To even check your torque converter you would have to remove your transmission anyway so we would recommend taking your car to a transmission specialist to have them diagnose the problem. It is possible that your transmission filter is clogged, but that usually cause harsh shifts rather than your car not going into gear.
I have a 2004 Honda Accord ex V6 that makes a whining noise when the car is cold. When I put it in reverse or when in drive I also hear a rattling noise but once the car has warmed up it goes away and everything is fine. I want to sell it but want to know what this noise is first
Patricia,
Thanks for your question about your Accord. Whining noises most often are associated with power steering pump problems so it could be an early indication that your power steering pump is going bad, or an indication that you’re low on fluid. If you find a low fluid level is BlueDevil Power Steering Stop Leak (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/power-steering-stop-leak-00232/) to seal the leak and stop the whine. The rattle you hear could simply be due to a loose exhaust pipe or broken hanger, but it depends on where the sound is coming from. An exhaust shop should be able to help you identify where that noise is coming from.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
My son replace the transmission filter and added new transmission fluid and that didn’t help any. Any other ideas that we could check ourselves? I really don’t want to have to pay for towing charges to take the car to the transmission specialist.
Beverly-
It is going to be very difficult to pinpoint the problem. Unfortunately, it may need to be looked at by a certified mechanic. This will give you a better outlook on what your options are.
Thank You!
-BDP
Good day,
I drive a 2011 Ford Focus 2.0 tdci, the car makes a funny low “whaling whining” noise when I slow down to a very slow speed, and keeps on doing this even after I come to a complete stop, it doesn’t happen everytime but it still happens. It dissapears when I just touch the brakes. I have checked the powersteering fluid and thats fine, my car is due for a service in about 2000kms. What could it be?
Marlene,
Thanks for your question about your Ford Focus. The symptoms you’re describing are a little confusing. The fact that the sound goes away when you touch the brakes indicates that it may be an issue at your wheel like needing new brakes or rotors or possibly even a wheel bearing. The other thing you mentioned was that the sound continues even after you’re stopped which would indicate a problem with your engine such as the power steering pump, or another accessory.
Our recommendation would be to have your mechanic check the brakes and wheel bearings during your regular service but also check your engine belt and the accessory pulleys for play or resistance. Since your car is so new, hopefully either of the problems will be covered under warrenty and will be able to be repaired easily.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Hopefully someone can find my problem! I have an 02 Durango and when I accelerate there is a humming/ whining noise, almost sounds like big tires on the highway, let off the pedal and it goes away. Tap the pedal slightly at anytime and it hums again. when I slow to a stop it sounds like it winds down. nothing at idle. Please help! Any ideas?
Dale,
Thanks for your question about your Durango. The sound you’re describing sounds most like a worn bearing, but based on your description of when it happens it doesn’t sound like a wheel bearing. We would recommend having your rear differential check out, our best guess would be that you have a bad bearing on the input shaft of your rear differential.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Hi! I have a 2010 Honda Civic, and about a week ago i notice a VERY loud (and embarrassing) screeching noise coming from the front of my car. It used to only happen very sporadically- It didn’t start until I drove a mile or two, would last until i came to a complete stop or made a sharp turn, and then it would be fine, and some days it didn’t make a noise at all. Today however, the noise never stopped for my whole 25 mile drive. It makes noise when i accelerate, but even more noise when i take my foot off of the gas after the acceleration, but is usually quiet when the car is at a stop. And if i brake while the car is making that noise, the breaks make an even worse screeching sound (but my breaks don’t squeal when my car is not). I took it to a shop earlier this week and asked them to check my belts, and they said they found nothing wrong, that they would need to catch the noise in the act, and that it might need to get worse before they could fix it. Do you have any other suggestions as to what might be causing this issue?
Jamie,
Thanks for your question about your Civic. It does sound like your car may be ready for a new belt or tensioner. For starters, try reading our article about engine belt noise here: https://gobdp.com/blog/engine-belts-squeal/. Hopefully that will give you an idea of how to check your belts and check for problems with it.
As for the noises your brakes are making, check out our article about brake noise here: https://gobdp.com/blog/squeaking-brakes/. If any of those noises sound like what your brakes are making, then you may also have brake problems. If not, then the sounds are probably isolated to your engine belt problem.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I just bought a 1999 Jeep Cherokee Laredo. I have replaced the alternator, belt extentioner, ideler pully, and belt. However, now when o accelerate and the Jeep gets up to 30 to 40mph. It whines. It’s like a sqealing pig. It doesn’t last long. The whines and then it stops when the gear changes. It shifts fine and does fine when putting it in paek,reverse and drive. The fluid level is fine in the transmission and the transmission fluid is a bright pink/red like its supposed to be. It doesn’t smell burnt. And, I rubbbed my fingers in the fluid and oil to feel for any gritty substances. It’s all normal. There are no check engine light on. I was told it could be the modular valve on the side of the transmission. Then, I was told it could be a shift solenoid. Then, I was told the transmission needs new fluid and filter but if I changed the fluid I stand a 50/50 chance of my transmission completely going out. What could possibly be the problem? I just want this Jeep to do good. I really like it a lot. I want to tell my mechanic.
Thanks for any advice.
There is no leaks coming from the transmission either. I checked all of that. Like I said it whines at 30 to 40 mph and stops.
Dawn,
Thanks for your question about your Jeep. Your If the sound comes from under the floor boards of your jeep, then it could definitely be a transmission problem, but the noise you’re describing doesn’t sound particularly like a transmission issue. You could try having your mechanic check your power steering system to see if possibly the power steering pump is causing the noise you’re hearing. If that is the case, the noise would be coming from the front of your jeep, near the radiator.
Jeeps aren’t known for having bad transmission so you should still be ok doing a fluid and filter flush on that transmission unless it has extremely high mileage or hasn’t had a fluid change in a very long time.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro