Whining noise when accelerating

Tiny
GUZDUZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD F-150
Transmission problem 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 121000 miles

My truck whines when I am in gear and accelerate. When I give it gas, the whiny noise gets quite loud and annoying inside the cab (don't know about outside). When I ease up the noise gets less whiney. It happens in all gears, but I don't have any power loss. Just a whining noise when in gear. I was told it might be the torque converter, or pump, but after further reading I was wondering about the transmission filter. I've got a 99 F-150 also and it just started making a whining noise. Can just barely hear it while in park or neutral and revving the motor, it's mainly while accelerating. I figure since it can be heard somewhat while in park and neutral that it's not the tranny, but not sure about the torque converter. Let me know if you found anything. Thanks
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 AT 10:02 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,861 POSTS
Yep the truck will make a whining noise when the transmission filter is plugged. It makes noise while its in gear becasue this is when the pump is activated in the transmission. Here is a guide to give you an idea of what you are in for when doing the job.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Here is what it will be like for your truck (below) Video.

https://youtu.be/OSRkzuX20o8

I have also seen whining noises because the power steering pump needs replacement but it doesn't sound like this is the problem with your truck becasue it doesn't do it all the time like a PS pump would

Here is a video just in case.

https://youtu.be/C1h8Xl1E8hI

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 AT 2:26 PM
Tiny
PWILLIAMS582
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD F-150
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
When I start my truck a whining noise can be heard over the engine. I think it might be coming from the alternator but I could be wrong. When I put the truck into drive and just sit there the whining stops when I accelerate it starts whining with the acceleration of the engine.
And seems to disappear around 60 mph. It started about a week ago. I replaced the battery because I had the alternator and battery tested and the only conclusion we could come up with would being the battery is bad it’s causing the alternator to run faster then normal which is creating this humming noise. The noise didn't stop after the battery had been replaced. Now I am leaning towards replacing the alternator even though the test showed that it was still good. My fear is that it isn’t the alternator. What else could it be? What should my next step be?
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PWILLIAMS582
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I check the power steering fluid level and it seems to be where it should be. It doesnt really sound like it could be that.
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GOBIGO00
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have the same year and Model truck and it was doing the exact same thing. I found that the rubber hose running from the body obove the driver side wheel well (under hood) had come loose from the air filter housing. After re connecting hose the whining noise stopped. Simple enough. So check your hoses connected to the air filter.
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JERYAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD F-150
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 31,500 MILES
I have a whining noise and it gets louder when I step on the gas. It does not change when I turn the steering wheel. Would this be the water pump?
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Is the noise there in park? If not trans comes to mind
If there open hood listen around P/S, A/C alt codition of belt and tenisioner.
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JERYAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes the noise is there in park and when the A/C is off and does not change when I turn the steering wheel. It sounds like it is coming from the front of the engine.
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN COTTON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD F-150
  • 170,000 MILES
Driving in the morning the sound gets louder
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Does it whine in park also?
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN COTTON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD F-150
  • 170,000 MILES
It only happens in drive not park or reverse
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
If the noise changes with wheel speed, you may have a transmission problem. You could have a bad torque converter or bearing on a forward gear shaft, which is essentiall all of them as reverse is its own gear and shaft and if it is a bearing sometimes the reversal of load on the bearing will quiet it down not to mention that the speed is very low. If you can rev the engine in park and do not hear it is still a good possibility as load on the input shaft and torque converter will make bad bearings or the converter louder. You may also have a problem in the rear differential gears. But, if you can tell that the noise is coming from the front and not the rear, the problem is most likely in the transmission.
You should also get the trouble codes pulled. Any Advance Auto or Auto Zone will do this for free. It will give you an idea if a shift solenloid or torque converter clutch solenoid is failing which can cause noises if they are not fully engaging the gear or the in[put from the engine power once a certain RPM is hit. The RPM will be very low and that is associated with the torwue converter.
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LCDANCERS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1989 FORD F-150
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 103,000 MILES
Hi: While operating my truck during the day, when I first start it, I hear a loud squeal and it goes away quickly, however, when I add the headlights or the blinker or windshield wipers the squeal begins again. If I turn whatever I have on off and then turn it back on again, the squeal stops until I begin to slow down or come to a stop and then once again it starts. I have noticed that the battery indicator needle goes way down and only when it goes back to normal range does the squealing end. If the squeal starts it will eventually correct itself after I have gotten into 4th gear. How do I get rid of the squeal that is absolutely driving me crazy? It must wake up the whole neighborhood at night. :)
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Should have an auto tensioner on the drive belt, be sure it is holding tension against the belt, might be broken internally. Is the belt in good condition? No cracks, if not replace it. If still noisy, may be the alt bearings going out and they make noise when the alt is working the hardest (right after start up)
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LCDANCERS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The truck does have an auto tensioner on it. I didn't realize that when I first took the belt off. Someone came over and showed me. So I had already disassemble the auto tensioner to loosen the belt. It only goes back in one way. Never had a whining problem before I did this. Could I have broken it. Yes, the belt is new. Originally the ac pump was on and it didn't work, so I took off and had to get a new belt. I will try putting a new belt tensioner on before taking the alternator off. Thank you so much for your help.
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LCDANCERS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. You are awesome, :D that is exactly what the problem was, the belt tensioner, replaced and now no squealing and the battery volt meter doesn't move. Excellent, Excellent, Excellent.
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Glad to hear it
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Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 1:53 PM (Merged)

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