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One day i drove home from my friends and a loud annoying whining noise came about. It definately sounds like the front driver side of the engine bay but i really cant pin-point it. It gets louder with higher rpms until i get about 20mph and it stops. Theres also a slight odor when driving for a while, kinda like oil or something.

I really need some ideas here cuz its extremely annoying and its making me nervous.

glasjaw wrote:One day i drove home from my friends and a loud annoying whining noise came about.

I really need some ideas here cuz its extremely annoying and its making me nervous.

Did you have your GF or wife in the car?

you never stop to amase me

Thanks!

There is not alot rotating on that side of the engine bay, but check the lower part of your pass. side engine bay. Perhaps a power steering issue?

It could be several things, the easiest way for us to help you is to post a video or a sound clip with "HIGH" quality audio!

glasjaw wrote:One day i drove home from my friends and a loud annoying whining noise came about. It definately sounds like the front driver side of the engine bay but i really cant pin-point it. It gets louder with higher rpms until i get about 20mph and it stops. Theres also a slight odor when driving for a while, kinda like oil or something.

I really need some ideas here cuz its extremely annoying and its making me nervous.

Burning rubber smell perhaps?

Is the noise there when idling? If so, pop the hood and try to determine which side. While in there check all fluid levels. Does the noise appear to go away with a shift into a different gear?

I'm just guessing below...

Perhaps the noise is on the passenger side... could be PS/AC drive belt or the alternator drive belt or worse it could be the timing belt which is major job to inspect properly.

I have a whining noise in my car too but I just figured out it's just me bitchin' about the NGC computer system.

It whines the loudest at idle.
The battery light came on today on the drive home and when i tried to turn it on again it just made a clicking noise. Alternator im guessing?

Alternator is sounding more promising now. A dying alternator bearing would whine a bit. See if you can pop the belt off of it and spin it by hand. Try spinning it slowly to see if it's smooth. If not, new alternator might be in store for you.

Well it wont even start, just a weird click. Is there any other possibilities cuz if not im just gonna go get it fixed right now?

Gotta love xmas time.

pretty much the alternator recharges your battery. If the alternator goes out your running your electronic all on the battery and then you burn through that. Soooo. supposing you charge the battery and it dies again (rather quickly) then the alternator is most likely dead and should be replaced. You might be able to find on in a junk yard, but I don't know how long they are meant to last.

Well if it isn't your alternator, then it was your starter not disengaging from the flywheel. Do your lights stay lit when you engage the starter? See if you can get someone to jump start you. If it still clicks then prolly the starter. But I would still check the alternator like johnny mopar suggested.

Are you sure its form the driver's side? I had a whining noise similar to that, and it was because my drive belt was shot.

Well, im thinking about just a gun and some bullets to fix this problem.

Replaced the alternator (biggest pain in the ass of all time)

Got a new battery.

Within 10 minutes of the car running the battery light comes on.

Anyone PLEASE have any ideas on this before i just kill myself.

Check the fuseable link by the starter. Did the whining go away?

whining is gone...wheres the fuseable link at?

If I was in your position, I would check my battery voltage with the car running. and with it off.

If your battery is older, It might not respond well to being completely drained.

It is the smaller wire that connects to the starter. IIRC the wire that goes between the alternator and the starter contains the link. the cable that goes from the starter to the battery does not as it needs alot of amps to turn the starter. The link is at the starter. It will look like apiece of wire and should have "fuse link" or similiar on it. check for volts at the alternator output terminal with the engine off, key off there should be battery voltage there if it is signifigantly lower or not at all, then the link is burnt out. they can be purchased at any parts store. you will prolly have to splice it in. don't know how the dealer sells it: ie if you have to buy the whole wire to the alt/starter. It could be a bad connection at the starter also, check everyting in the alternator/starter/battery path.

If your battery is older, It might not respond well to being completely drained.

I just replaced the battery with a red top altima

It could be a bad connection at the starter also, check everyting in the alternator/starter/battery path.

I'll see if i can check it some time tomorrow...kinda hard to find time during the xmas season.

Worst case scenario...with ephasis on WORST is me and pops fucked up the alternator while trying to jam that thing back in there...hopefully thats not the case.

Meh, about the only way the alternator could get damaged is hooking the battery terminals backwards or dropping it from a few feet. (Or throwing it at the wall)

Also check your grounds, they may or may not have an effect. Seen some weird stuff with faulty grounding.

Meh, about the only way the alternator could get damaged is hooking the battery terminals backwards or dropping it from a few feet. (Or throwing it at the wall)

How bout a 1/4" drive extension and a mallet? haha.

Is there a possibilty that the weird shape of the optima would fuck with the battery sensor?

glasjaw wrote:

Meh, about the only way the alternator could get damaged is hooking the battery terminals backwards or dropping it from a few feet. (Or throwing it at the wall)

How bout a 1/4" drive extension and a mallet? haha.

Is there a possibilty that the weird shape of the optima would fuck with the battery sensor?

As far as the sensor, it just measures temperature so as long as it is near the battery it shouldn't matter You could duct tape it to the battery and it will work. Um, the mallet part would depend on how hard of a hit. not sure how the diodes are configured in the newer stuff but the older ones were soldered in. a good enough hit could break it loose, but it would bend the case if it was hit hard enough. I don't think it is because of that, but it can't be ruled out. I would check the above stuff first.
If you want to do a quick test you could fab a wire to go to the alt. post to the battery + post w/40 A Maxi fuse ( the big spade one) otherwise you may get a melt down. use at the min. 10 gauge wire. If it charges then you know it is something in the circuit to the starter. Just charge the battery good before hand so there isn't a big amp draw, that alone could blow the fuse. You'll need a volt meter to check the running against shut off voltage. just be careful when connecting the jumper. Install the fuse last and wear some heavy gloves incase the wire starts melting. If you have an ohmmeter check the bat. post on the alternator to ground to make sure that it isn't shorted. that will prevent any nasty suprises