High pitch whine?

[grlaneriejr]

Hey guys, a question for you.

When I start driving, in morning, for lunch, when leaving work, I get a high pitched, almost electrical sounding whine.

I changed my right front bearing, and the noise didn't go away.

Does anyone have any ideas where to look for this? I had a friend that said the clutch might have gotten wet w/ tranny fluid (just changed rack), but that doesn't sound right to me b/c it's not there all the time, just when it's cold.

Please help.

Thanks

[bmwdude]

Does the whine change with engine rpms, or with rolling speed?

[grlaneriejr]

It happens at around 25mph - 35mph, then again at 45mph - 50mph.

I don't think its the clutch though, b/c it doesn't change when I depress the clutch. It gets higher the faster I go, then it stops.

It only does it when it's cold, i.e. when I start it after it's been sitting for a while.

Any ideas?

[grlaneriejr]

Guys, please help.

This thing is driving me CRAZY!!!!!

[kowalski]

did you do your other wheel bearing? try revnig your engine in neutral see if the whining returns could be a slipping belt.

[grlaneriejr]

Not a belt. It only happens while i'm moving and only when it's cold.

[kowalski]

get your friend to hang out the window to hear where its comming from.

[bmwdude]

I almost feel like saying wheel bearing, but only when cold it makes this sound??????

Is the sound coming from the rear of the car or front?

[nando]

is this a new sound? are you sure it's not just the fuel pump buzzing?

[grlaneriejr]

bmwdude:

It sounds like coming from the passenger front. I changed that wheel bearing, and did nothing

nando:

It's not a buzzing, but almost an electric sounding whine.

Any ideas?

[E30godz]

bad ground somewhere?

[WilkiE30]

Check the exhaust hangers, some of the nuts and bolts might be loose

[bmwdude]

bmwdude:

It sounds like coming from the passenger front. I changed that wheel bearing, and did nothing

nando:

It's not a buzzing, but almost an electric sounding whine.

Any ideas?

This is very peculiar.
If you are cruising and it starts to make the noise, then if you put the car in neutral as its coasting, based on what I have understood, the noise is still there. We must use the process of elimination. If that is the case, then it is safe to say it is not engine speed related. It can't be a belt, or the alternator, or noise eminating from the speakers (duh..). Lets scratch out engine then. Are we on the right track here grlaneriejr?

I hate to say this, but YOU MUST confirm 100% that your other bearing(left one) is good. Raise the car, and spin the tires. Do this after the car has sat for a day, as you suugest it only does this when cold. Perhaps your caliper is sticking on the rotor slightly? The direction from where you here the noise is coming from in the car, can be deceiving sometimes. You MUST confirm that your bearing checks out!

Now you say that the noise gets "higher" as you increase rolling speed. Do you mean louder, or a higher pitched? Or both?

Not to confuse things here, or change the topic: I just remembered something.......There have been some times in the past, with my own car, when I would here a light whine, eminating from the area around where my ecu is in the glovebox. This sound would be loudest when the ambient temp outside would be cool strangely enough, and it would seem to gradually go away, after cruising for awhile. Not consistent in its behaviour actually. I always thought that it was the coolest sound however! Passengers would even comment "I like the way your engine sounds" This "whine" would be loudest on the freeway at around 110km/h , and become more higher pitched and even cooler sounding at 140km/h. To confuse me even more, this "whine," would be the most pronounced after a valve adjustment! With the engine freshly tuned up. Oh well...enough about my car.

Going back to your situation however, I doubt that its the same as mine, as your whine is driving you crazy.....I awaiteth your reply and results

[Rob]

get your friend to hang out the window to hear where its comming from.

excellent advice.

[Charlie]

get your friend to hang out the window to hear where its comming from.

excellent advice.

Make sure to give him a beer first.

-Charlie