Whining sound upon acceleration?

Tiny
TXT9900
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,876 MILES
I am hearing a whining sound upon acceleration. It seems to be a very high pitched sound. The noise started yesterday. Prior to this I was hearing a droning kind of sound upon accelleration like at 20-30 mph. So, I guess the droning sound has been replaced with a whining sound now when I start to accelerate.

Could this be my water pump going bad?
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025 AT 5:16 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,182 POSTS
Hi:

Anything is possible, but chances are it isn't the water pump. First, drive with the AC and defroster off to see if the noise goes away. It isn't uncommon for the compressor to make a noise.

I'm not sure where you are located or the temperatures there. High temps can cause an AC compressor to make a noise.

Start with this and let us know what you find.

Take care,

Joe
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Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
TXT9900
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Hi Joe. Thanks for the reply. I am in South Florida. So, the AC compressor was replaced in April and is still under warranty. So, I'll take it to the my mechanic and have him check it out. Also, I'll try your suggestion.
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Thursday, September 25th, 2025 AT 3:37 AM
Tiny
TXT9900
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I just drove with my AC & defroster off and the noise is less. But when I press on the accellerator and hit 20 mph, then I hear a droning/roaring sound which is the noise I was hearing prior to this whining sound. The roaring sound started about two weeks back after I drove through heavy rainstorms. Not sure what this can be. I had my alternator tested two weeks back and it's apparently good.
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Thursday, September 25th, 2025 AT 4:04 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Usually it will be the drive belt that is having the issue can you upload short video of the noise so I can hear it and be sure? It could be an idler pulley bearing as well.
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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
TXT9900
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My audio recording when I drove the car in the morning with the AC on and it was like a whining sound. I managed to upload the file.
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 9:40 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Hmm, is needs to be a video file for sound, mp4.
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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 9:41 AM
Tiny
TXT9900
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  • 16 POSTS
Managed to convert it to an mp4 and uploaded it previously. Let me know if you can hear it.
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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 9:46 AM
Tiny
TXT9900
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Here is the video file with the car making the whining sound upon acceleration. This was like at 6:30AM in the morning.
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 10:44 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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I hear a bunch of noises in the video, none which I heard I thought was the belt, can I ask if the noise is coming from the rear of the car or the front?
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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 6:21 PM
Tiny
TXT9900
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The whining sound is from the front of the car.
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Saturday, September 27th, 2025 AT 7:24 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Okay, this sounds like it can be a wheel bearing hub going out. I would get the car on a hoist and inspect the play in the front wheels. This can show a bad bearing, also if that seems okay start the car on the hoist and have a helper put it in gear and listen from where the noise is being generated from. Please upload a short video of the problem so I can see.
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Saturday, September 27th, 2025 AT 11:23 AM
Tiny
TXT9900
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  • 16 POSTS
At certain times I hear a roaring sound upon acceleration 20 to 30 mph. Is that also related to a wheel bearing?
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Saturday, September 27th, 2025 AT 11:57 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes it can be, does the noise change when you turn the car a little?
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Saturday, September 27th, 2025 AT 9:07 PM
Tiny
TXT9900
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I have to see if it does that.
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Sunday, September 28th, 2025 AT 5:30 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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If so, it will be the bearing hub which are a common failure, if you can get a little better video of the noise it will help me know for sure what is going on.
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Sunday, September 28th, 2025 AT 10:56 AM
Tiny
TXT9900
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So tried turning a little but I don't think it made a difference in the noise. I notice it whines more in the early mornings than later in the day. Also, if I don't hear the whine then I hear the roaring sound when accelerating 20-30 mph. Could the idler pulley be causing this issue?
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Monday, September 29th, 2025 AT 6:27 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, the idler pulley can make noises like this, but you should be able to rev the engine ands hear the noise in park with the hood open, please upload a video in your response of any problems so I can hear it to be sure.
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Monday, September 29th, 2025 AT 9:33 AM

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