Hey Guys,
I've had my 2002 TA for a year now, and I love it. Lately though its been doing some strange things.

First of all there is this whining noise coming from the engine bay. I hear it when Im driving and that the whining noise is consistant with RPM. It kind of sounds like supercharger.

This noise is present whether I have the a/c on or not. Also I do not see any drop in the alternator gauge so I dont think its that.

Also my car makes a humming sound from the rear. I had it looked at before and the dealer changed a seal, but the sound is still there. Could it be a bearing or a sign that the rear is on its way out?

Sorry if this was so long, but I need your input and advice before going to the dealer to have it checked out. I hate going to the dealer for warranty work. I'd rather go to the dentist.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

 

Is the humming sound there even when your foots of the gas driving? Or is it only there when you have your foot on the gas? I had a humming/whining sound coming from the rear of my car and it turned out that the rearend gears were improperly installed from the factory. Dealer put a new set of gears in and the sound was gone. But it only made noise when I had my foot on the gas when driving. As soon as I let off it would go away.

As for your whining noise it sound like bearings from either a waterpump, powersteering, alternator, If you can't tell where its coming from you could take your serpintine belts off and turn everything that has a pully by hand and shake it to see if you hear or feel bad bearings. Anyways good luck. And I know how you feel about going to the dealer!!! Post how everything turns out.

 

Is the whining noise constant, or does it come and go? If it is only present sometimes, you might want to suspect your air pump (part of the emissions system, located on the drivers side, at the front, ahead of the wheel, behind the bumper, below the drivers side headlight assembly). Mine has whined (when its on) since day 1. Sound just like a supercharger! I've never bothered to get it fixed, yet, as the car is out of warranty, and continues to pass emissions tests easily. Just another little noise, to me.
Regarding the rear end noise, try changing your rear end lubricant. If you have the standard torsen rear end, it requires synthetic lube, and the correct amount of GM rear end additive. The additive is magic stuff, and is absolutely required. Change the lube, add some additive, and then have a listen. If the noise persists, then take it up with your dealer. But change the fluid, first.


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1999 Trans Am Firehawk #C008 M6
All GM options, almost all SLP options, lots of aftermarket parts

 

Thanks for the help guys.

THe humming from the rear is there when ever I step on the gas. I did change the rear end fluid and did include the GM additive, but the sound was still there.

The whining noise from the front isnt audible at idle. I had the hood up to see if it could be heard, but I couldnt hear it. Its definitely there when I accelerate, but gone as soon as I let off the gas.

I'll be bringing the car in this week. Ill have them check all of your suggestions.

 

Another little tidbit of advice: re the rear end, try adding more of the GM additive, sometimes a little more is all that is req to quiet down a humming rear end. Every one is just a little bit unique, some take a little less additive, some a little more.