Whining Sound Accompanied by Delayed Engaging

MAGIC8BALL

MEMBER
CHRYSLER LHS

2001 Chrysler LHS. 3.5L V-6 with 73,000 mi. This problem started suddenly last night where my car began to make this horrible whining sound coming from the front of the car. The intensity of the sound increased as I accelerated, so I tried to ease up. I also put the car in neutral to see if it went away (it did), but if I revved up the engine, it could be heard. I drove about 4-5 miles, then I began to have trouble accelerating... The engine wouldn't engage smoothly if I gave the car some gas. It would delay and then "kick in." There was one point at a stop sign that the car wouldn't go, and my "Check Engine" light came on. A friend of mine seems to think it's being caused by incorrect tension on my belts, and that they need to be adjusted.

Earlier in the week, I noticed a slight delay in 3rd gear (at around 40 mph.). If I maintained speeds above 40 and accelerated, I saw my rpm and speed gauges flutter for a split seconds (downward) and then engage. Not sure if this was a precursor to what happened last night.

If anyone can give me some advice and guidance, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

1 Reply

CHRYSLER300GUY

MEMBER
18 POSTS

The problem with the whining is most likey belts that need to be replaced and that do not have enough tension.

Also, you may need a tune up, re-adjust and/or replace your timing belt. Tune-ups in the owners manuals usually say 100,000 miles before a tune-up. This is only an estimation. It all depends on your driving habits. More aggressive driving will cause maintenance requirements to come sooner than in conservative driving habits. Suggested maintenance schedules are usually based on conservative to moderate driving habits.

Sluggish transmission behaviour is usually linked to dirty transmission fluid and expired transmission filter.

The best thing to do is to check all of your fluids and get an engine diagnostics test done, especially since your engine service light in coming on. You could have bad sensors that need replacement.