Been hearing a whining, buzzing sound (like the sound HID's make when first turning them on). Noticed it a couple times while getting gas (bad habit of leaving car on and I always walk around to check it out while fueling). Since I have low beam LED's and not HID's, I wondered if the noise could be the power steering.

I dropped the car at Nissan for regular maintenance and asked them to listen (the service advisor was able to clearly hear the noise) but proceeded to tell me it's the power steering and it's in fact a "normal" noise.... I beg to differ with that assessment. When I return to pick up the car I'm going to have them start another Maxima SR to see if I hear it.

So with all that said, has anyone else noticed a whining, buzzing, humming type sound coming from right above the passenger headlight housing? If so, what was the outcome?

I will post an update to the thread once I get some answers (or lies). BTW, I asked them if they could do a wheel balance without scratching the rim around the lug nuts..... they said "no, we can't guarantee it"......?😡?

 

It is the power steering. It's the electric motor for the power assist, and it's completely normal.

 

Had plenty of odd noises inside the car during cold weather, but haven't noticed anything outside like that

 

just heard that same noise today for the first time. Purchased my sl in april of last year and currently have 15,051 miles. Ugh.

 

Well darn it! You got my curiosity up, so I just got out of my comfortable office chair, marched out to the cold tomb-like garage (with door closed of all things), and started up my '17 SL. No external noises at all with hood closed. Idling like a fine watch. Opened the hood to listen for the noise you were hearing. Nothing, just normal engine noises. I am sorry to say I have an abnormal engine because it is quiet and well behaved.

 

Maximas have hydraulic power steering, it has an electric pump?

 

Yes. The electric pump behind the passenger headlight that whines (has a sound deadening cover over it) is the electronic assist for the power steering. HEPS as it's referred to.

 

I apologize for the delayed response.... been working crazy hours. Anyway, the 2018 SR I had the dealership start up did NOT have the same sound.... but, they still assure me it's "normal".

My biggest concern is I put a ton of miles on the car and it just turned 25k. So if there's even a hint of a problem with it, I wanna get it taken care of soon before the original warranty is out. I will post a video of the noise so everyone can hear how loud it is.

Oh and get this.... they put a new steering wheel on and couldn't even get the wheel straight. I have to take it back in again for them to fix it. Is it just me or does it seem like every time u take the car to the dealer for a problem they cause another problem. I refuse to have my tires rotated because they said they can't guarantee no damage around the lug nuts (they damaged the rims once already). I guess they are used to people who don't care as much or are not as OCD about their cars as I am.

 

I have a '13 Pathfinder that makes the same noise and it is the power steering. It's especially audible when I have it in the garage to change oil and turn the wheels to get to the oil filter.

 

I've worked on the guts of a few power steering systems in my time and the gurgling, "bacon frying", squishing type of noises are usually caused by air getting into the lines and pump that carry the steering fluid (for air to get in, fluid must leak out, so check for oily deposits). What you hear are the air bubbles being squished as they are forced back-and-forth through the pump and some of those small orifices in the system. Usually most noticeable when turning the wheels left and right. Even some perfectly sealed systems will make a groaning noise when either the left or right steering stops are reached when turning while parking.

That said, I have never worked on electrically assisted systems but I would imagine the same noises would occur with air in system, and maybe just differently pitched due to the smaller mechanical pump combined with the addition of an electric assist motor. Ya' still got fluid and some air in there under extremely high pressure. That said, my '07 Altima was a bit noisy (but not noticeable with the hood down) and my '17 Max with 15k miles is quiet, even with the hood up, but once I start turning the steering wheel it can get a little buzzy around pump. All I know. Good luck.

1. Check fluid level
2. Look for power steering fluid leaks, especially around any fitting on the hoses. Should be dry as a bone on lower mileage cars.
3. If all looks okay then FORGET IT! Will do no harm.