The other day, I went to start my car, and I noticed that there was this whining type sound coming from my engine as soon as I started my car up. When I rev the engine, it gets higher in pitch. Although, it seems to go away after a little while, but I'm not sure. I listened closely to the engine today, revved it a bit, and I'm not sure if its coming from the belts or somewhere on the engine. Does anyone know what this may signify?

Thanks in advance

 

PS pump: does it get worse when turning the wheel back/forth?
Alternator: does it get louder when turning on lights/ac/stereo etc?
Idler pulley bearings: stays the same regardless of about but gets worse when reving?

A good way to tell is to put the front on jacks and take the pass wheel/splash guard off. Start car and use a length of rubber hose and put it up to different parts of engine to try to isolate the noise. PS pump, alternator and pullies are all pretty much right there.

 

the 97 alternator recall did effect some of the earlier 98s I believe so maybe you should have your VIN# checked out. Other than that, my belts used to make a whine when its cold but the sound goes away when the car is warmed up. The whine went away when I changed the belts though.

 

Listen very carefully to see if its coming from the alternator. My alternator made intermittent noise until it broke down one day. The worst part was that I actually took it to the dealer to complain about the noise and they said it sounded normal (it didn't). This was 3 years ago, way before the alternator recall. A day later, my alternator died and I had my car towed to another dealer to get the alternator replaced under warranty.

 

All this talk about the alternator seems very sketchy.... I did check my VIN, and my car didn't need the alternator fix....but still, my alternator may be going, you're right.....I will check tomorrow or something, when I'm sober

 

Yep my 98 Max and my moms 98 I30 were both covered under the 97 recall.


SuDZ

 

Where do i check? I have a whining noise. 1996 5 Speed, and i bought it used so i dont know if its been replaced already.

 

Eric is right. It's your alternator so go ahead now and replace it before you get stuck like I did when mine went.

 

was it wet or damp out. when there's condensation outside my car will whistle or whine a bit. It's not around on dry days

 

Would you be able to tell me how much I'm looking at? I'm unemployed and I have to get my new clutch installed, so money is gonna be very tight....

 

Either all that or someone installed a supercharger while you were sleeping.

 

you beat me to it.

Sorry to *****, good luck with the car

 

LOL, don't I wish....

I guess I'm gonna try and get this taken care of on Saturday....obviously can't do anything tomorrow since its thanksgiving, and today just sucked with the weather and all...

 

even though the recall was only for 97's .......my 95's alternator died on me.....i also got those whining noises (lol used to tell my friends it was turbo)