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Car Whistles and Noise Problems - This category contains
featured questions as examples. They relate to most vehicles.Question:
2002 Ford Explorer XLT Mileage: 61,000. I recently began to hear a "whining" or
"howling" noise coming from the rear of the car at 65 miles per hour. It seemed
to become louder when you tried to accelerate to maintain your speed. The noise
was considerably less if you took your foot completely off the accelerator. I took
it to a local dealer expecting to find a differential problem (pinion gear or something).
They replaced the drive shaft and the noise at 65 mph went away. However, I still
hear a minor howling at around 55 mph. It doesn't seem to change if you accelerate
or let off the pedal. It really doesn't sound like singing tires. It may just be
paranoia since I only have about 5000 miles left on the warranty. Do you have any
suggestions on how I can see if this is normal or if I could have early signs of
a differential problem? Thanks, Stan
Answer: You may have an axle bearing or possible bearing in
the differential that is starting to fail.
Question: 1969 Ford Contour, mileage: 80,000. I have had a recurring,
but intermittent problem the last two winters. I live in a cold weather climate
(MN) and often have my car parked outside overnight. I always warm my car up at
least 5 to 10 minutes before driving. When decelerating at low speeds (10 to 0 or
5 to 0) a high pitched whine will come from the engine. Pressing on the accelerator
will cause the whining to stop. On two occasions, I have not been able to safely
press the accelerator, the whine continues, and eventually the engine hesitates
and stalls. I have been able to restart when that happens, however the last time
it occurred, the car would not restart after I had made a stop (ignition off) about
10 minutes later. I had to have the car jumped. This only occurs in winter, when
the temperature drops to around 30 degrees. I have had two mechanics take a look
at it. The last mechanic I took it two said it was the alternator and replaced it.
That was last year. It occurred once or twice last year after the replacement, and
is now doing it again this winter. Any ideas?
Answer: The noise that you are hearing is from the idle speed control
motor. The stalling is probably your fuel pump.
Question: 2000 Dodge Dakota, mileage: 50,000. There is a very noticeable
whine coming from the rear end as you decelerate, foot off the gas. Worse
between 50-40. Does not happen with power on. Service department said
it would get better after a couple of thousand miles. There was nothing they
could do. I really don't believe it. What do you think? It is
really bugging me.
Answer: From what you described, it sounds as if the ring and pinion gear
are improperly adjusted.
Question: 1999 GMC Z-71 1500 mileage: 125,000. My truck started
making a strange noise the other day whenever I would accelerate. It makes
a whining or squealing sound, but only when I accelerate not when I let of the gas
or coast. I checked the transmission fluid, but I am not sure what else it
might be. I could use your help!
Answer: Your squealing sound may be caused by a loose or worn out fan
belt.
Question: 1998 Mercury Sable, mileage: 133,000. My Sable groans
and whines when driven at low speeds, like around a round a parking lot. I
thought it might have something to so with the power steering pump but the noise
doesn't seem to change all that much when I turn the wheels. The whine and
groaning is noticeable when driving in a straight line. The noise also does
not go up and down in pitch or volume when the engine is revved. It is not
noticeable when driving at highway speeds. In a possibly unrelated problem,
the headlights become dimmer occasionally when the brakes are applied at low engine
rev. They do not immediately noticeably brighten when I rev the engine.
Thank you in advance for all your help!
Answer: It sounds like the power steering pump.
Question: 1998 Dodge Ram 2500, mileage: 104,000. From the time the
vehicle first starts to move I hear a whir, whir, whir, etc, etc that increases
in frequency as the vehicle speed increases. I’ve had the drive shaft universals
replaced as well as the transfer case replaced. With the truck up on jack stands,
there is very little noise. While driving down the road the sounds seems to
be coming more toward the front of the vehicle, but I’m not positive.
Answer: Check for bad wheel bearings.
Question: 1999 Ford Probe, mileage: 96,000. Hi! I have been hearing
a high-pitched whistling/ scraping noise in the front right side of my car when
my car is on the move. When I apply the brakes, the noise immediately stops.
I thought perhaps it was the alternator, but the noise level doesn't change if I
flip on the headlights. What do you think might be the possible causes?
I want to repair the problem as soon as possible, but as a student struggling to
make ends meet, I guess I'm hoping that the problem is minor. Just trying to get
some information before planning my next move. Thanks for your assistance.
This is a truly wonderful service.
Answer: Sounds like brakes are worn out, Place them to repair problem.
Question: 1998 Nissan Pathfinder, mileage: 75,000. I noticed a high-pitched
whistling sound coming from the right rear of the car this morning. It seemed
to come and go. What could this be a symptom of?
Answer: It may be a fuel pump about to fail.
Question: 1998 Dodge 1500, mileage: 80,000. Recently I have been noticing
a "whining" sound emitting from the rear of the truck. I do not notice any leaks
in the differential. It occurs when I accelerate and gets louder and higher pitched
the faster I go. When I slow down, the latter occurs. If I put the truck in neutral
while traveling, the noise continues as the truck slows down at a lower pitch. My
tires do cause some road noise but is different from the sound that I am hearing.
What do you think it is?
Answer: The noise you describe may be caused by an axle bearing starting
to fail.
Question: 1999 BMW 3251 6 cyl mileage: 95,000. There is a whining sound
coming from the engine when the car is at idle. Also, when I am driving, but the
higher the rev the higher the whine. I am thinking its a belt problem and HOPING
its not a engine problem like a cylinder or a tranny problem. Can you please advise
what can be causing this noticeable high frequency whine? Thank You
Answer: Several things can be the cause. First, check the tension on the
timing belt to be sure it is properly adjusted. If the car is equipped with an automatic
transmission, changing the filter and servicing the transmission may help. Also,
try removing the drive belt (fan belts) and run the engine for a very short time.
This will isolate any of the items like alternator, air-conditioning compressor
etc.
Question: 1995 Ford Contour SE 2.5L, mileage: 60,000. Just today, I noticed
a howling noise coming from the air intake. The noise does not occur until the engine
is in the 3500-4000 RPM range. Once the noise starts, it continues at any RPM. Pitch
stays constant. If the noise begins and the gas pedal is released the engine stalls.
Engine always re-starts, and keeping light pressure on the accelerator will keep
engine running. Plugs and Wires have been replaced, along with air filter and a
visual inspection of the air intake up to throttle body. Howl pinpointed to between
air box and intake manifold. Sounds just like someone blowing across a coke bottle.
Answer: Remove the IAC (idle air control) motor. Replace it with a new
one and the problem should be solved.
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