Your car’s engine is known to make all kinds of noises. After listening to them for miles, all those strange sounds becomes normal. That is why the whining sound you hear when you’re accelerating causes alarm! It’s not a sound you’re use to and it creates a sense of concern.
In this guide, I cover each of the causes in detail. I also tell you what to do fix the issue, so we can get to the bottom of whatever was making your car whine, and then we can look at other reasons you might hear whining, like the car whining while it’s turning or just idling.
Causes of Whining Noise When Accelerating
That whining noise could be from a worn serpentine belt, a boost leak, or a vacuum leak. It could also be a power steering issue, bearing that is worn, or low engine oil.
In the worst-case scenario-well, it could indicate that you need to pay attention to gear issue with the transmission.
#1. Damaged Serpentine Belt.
A serpentine belt is important because it drives a number of components of the vehicle. As you accelerate the car, the serpentine belt tries to run at a higher speed to keep up, so should something fail, you are likely to notice that the whining was getting loud.
Over time, serpentine belts get cracked and dry. A cracked or dried out serpentine belt cannot grip the pulleys, causing the belt to slip.
If you notice that there is a serpentine belt failure, you should take action and replace it as it is more cost effective than being stuck with a broken serpentine belt on the side of the road.
#2. Steering System Failure.
There are several parts in the steering mechanism that can emit a whine as they are failing. Some parts whine steadily while a few parts only whine while accelerating.
A bad power steering pump could whine, and there could be a power steering fluid leak which needs attention.
#3. Vacuum leak or boost leak.
If you have a vacuum leak in the intake manifold, you will hear a whining noise while you accelerate, particularly if your car’s engine is equipped with a turbocharger that will exhaust the air from the leak.
Most of the time the vacuum leak is a broken hose around your intake manifold, but it could also be from leaks around the boost pipes if your car has a turbocharger.
#4. Worn Bearing.
Some bad bearings can be causing whining noises in various locations throughout the car. There are bearings on the drive pulleys that are running the accessories, and there are internal bearings in the alternator that can make a whining noise as you accelerate too.
The easiest way to find a bad bearing is to remove the serpentine belt and manually spin all accessories and pulleys to feel if the bearings are bad.
#5. Transmission Trouble.
The transmission of a car takes power from the engine and makes sure it reaches the right wheels to move the vehicle. As the car gets older, the transmission can start working incorrectly. This is especially true considering there are so many inner parts that must be functional.
Once the transmission starts to fail, it will either start a whining noise or it will start to grind more and more, especially when you change gears. However, there is a chance your fluid is just low. There could also be a problem with the torque converter which on occasion whines when they fail.
#6. Low Engine Oil.
There’s a chance low oil could be creating some of your problems. An engine needs enough oil to keep the motor lubricated and protected. If you have low or no motor oil, the motor will stop and won’t run.
As the level of engine oil drops you could hear various noises, especially whining sounds. This is usually the most prominent while trying to accelerate because of the added pressure placed on the motor.
How to Fix Whining Noise When Accelerating
#1. Perform Visual Inspection.
The first time you hear an odd noise from your vehicle, pull over safely and do a visual inspection. If you’re lucky enough to have a friend with you, it may be easier. Try to identify where the noise is coming from on your vehicle.
With the vehicle in Park, your friend could rev the engine and you can look around. This will lead you to a better chance of a quick repair if you can find out what part of the worn vehicle is making the noise.
If you have any warning lights on the vehicle, you should use your code scanner to find out what’s going on.
#2. Top Off Fluids.
The easiest fix will always be to top off the fluids. So check the motor oil, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid to see that the fluids are at the full levels.
If they aren’t it is time to put in a fresh bottle of fluid. Use a funnel and the right type of fluid for your vehicle to make sure everything is operating smoothly.
#3. Replace Defective Parts.
Once you’ve identified the issue, it’s time to remedy it. You may find that either a new serpentine belt or bearing is needed, and you may be able to do this repair yourself.
One way to find whining noises is to take off the serpentine belt and turn each pulley or accessory by hand, feeling for bad bearings. If the bearing is bad, you will most likely feel it as you turn the pulley.
Be sure to gather all parts to complete your repair prior to starting the repair. You’re most likely to keep things simple if you take a few minutes to reference the service manual (if you have one) for diagrams and instructions pertinent to the task at hand.
If you don’t feel capable of completing this repair on your own, then you have the cognitive capacity to move to the next step!
#4. Consult a Mechanic.
If you are not capable of doing the job or don’t know what is wrong, it is time to head to the auto shop to get it fixed, as some things are too complicated for the average vehicle owner to manage.
Even though it might cost you more to have this done at the shop than if you did the job yourself, at least you know a qualified professional looked at the problem for you.
As for your car’s engine or transmission in particular, sometimes put simply, it’s just better to let someone else deal with the unknown since you are trusting everything to an expert anyway. Just remember to always check the store’s reputation so you are not paying for nothing.
Other Times the Car Might Whine
#1. When Turning.
Hearing whining sounds while turning the steering wheel is relatively common. The first issue to consider is something failing in the power steering system.
First, check the steering belt. It may have come loose or damaged. If this is the case, tighten it or replace it before this gets worse.
If the belt looks fine, there may be a leak in the power steering system. In this case, you’ll want to check the fluid level to ensure it’s sufficiently full. If it is low, fill the reservoir and you should monitor the steering for a leak before it gets worse.
If neither of those options are the problem, the trouble could be with the transmission.
#2. When Idling.
Most car owners have gotten used to the idle engine noise coming from their vehicle. It should sound normal and be predictable. If you begin to hear whining while the engine is idling, there may be an issue with the engine. The noise could become worse when you accelerate or stay the same.
Either way, low oil level or a vacuum leak may be the most obvious issue. It is time to check the oil level and add oil if needed and think about checking for vacuum leaks.
If you are getting close to an oil change, you may just want to perform this typical maintenance. This is an easy fix for an issue, but may be the sign of something larger with the engine.
In any case, it is important to be aware of any change in engine noise. The earlier you notice and take action, the better chance you have of avoiding more trouble with the engine.
What can cause a high-pitched whining noise in a car?
If there is a very loud high-pitched whining noise when you accelerate your car, you may have a leak from your intake manifold or boost pipes. It could also be that your serpentine belt has broken.
Can low transmission fluid cause a whining noise?
Low transmission fluid can, but it’s pretty rare. It’s still a good idea to check the transmission fluid in most car models anyway, even if your transmission fluid is not the problem. If your transmission fluid is good, then you’ll need to investigate a bad serpentine belt or vacuum leak instead.
Will an alternator whine when accelerating?
In most car models, a good alternator won’t make a loud enough whining noise while you’re accelerating for you to even hear it from inside your car. If the bearing in your alternator is bad, though, you will hear it whenever you accelerate.
How long will a whining alternator last?
There’s really no way to know how long a whining generator will last – it depends on how bad the damage is. It could last you a couple of miles, or it can last you thousands of miles. It’s kind of like a lottery.
If your car is hooting and your alternator is making whining noises, then you should choose to replace it sooner rather than later.