whining noise that is affected by RPM

timmah · 01-04-2009, 10:25 PM

This started just yesterday...I have an 04 wrx, with about 92k on it. The noise sounds like a whining that increases in pitch as the engine RPM's increase. My first guess is that the A/C clutch is broken (as pushing the a/c button no longer causes a change in engine vacuum). Anyone ever have this problem?

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xwtfbrendan · 01-05-2009, 06:05 AM

Thats the turbo..

(lol)

Check all IC hoses / pipes / couplers?

timmah · 01-05-2009, 08:09 AM

it's not the turbo, i'm not that much of a noob. it is almost certainly the A/C compressor. it sounds like supercharger whine. I was just wondering if anyone knows if the clutch is separate or the thing is sold as whole unit.

xwtfbrendan · 01-05-2009, 03:21 PM

Haha, I know. I was just playing.

Acrdys · 01-05-2009, 03:22 PM

whining similar to your car in reverse?

timmah · 01-05-2009, 03:39 PM

update: i just removed the belt to the a/c compressor and the sound is gone.

WRaholicX · 01-07-2009, 07:23 PM

Hey, I just got the same exact sound, and I pinned it down to the AC compressor Clutch, however I haven't taken it apart to find the problem, does anyone know how to take the Compressor Clutch assembly apart?

rick-l · 01-07-2009, 07:41 PM

How about that $35 pulley (AC tensioner)? Mine made that noise before I changed it.

Put a screwdriver on the bolt and the other end to your ear and it sounded rough.

WRaholicX · 01-07-2009, 08:15 PM

No, it's not that, I put WD-40 on the AC clutch and the sound started to stop except at high RPM, it doesn't do it on startup anymore, but at around 3000 rpm it starts to sound like a supercharger. Thus, I'm almost positive it's the compressor clutch, do you know how to get lube down to the clutch bearing?

rick-l · 01-07-2009, 09:25 PM

Does it sound like the you tube recording in this?

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1487622

WRaholicX · 01-08-2009, 04:17 AM

That was very helpful, thanks. I'll probably try to pull the AC belt and see if the noise stops

timmah · 03-07-2009, 05:23 PM

UPDATE: Swapped out the pulley, belt, etc, today, and the sound is gone and the a/c functions perfectly. So for anyone whose wrx sounds like it's superchargd: one of your pulleys went!

AndyH · 03-08-2009, 11:08 AM

Thanks for the update. I am experiencing a similar whining noise that tracks with engine RPM in my '05 STi. I was hoping it was the idler pulley for the A/C belt. Took the belts off yesterday and drove around with the A/C belt off and the whining noise is still there.

So it appears that it's coming from either my alternator or power-steering pump. I can't determine which is making the noise so I'm not sure what I'm going to do at this point. I may just live with it until it gets worse and is easier to pinpoint. *sigh*

yarrgh · 03-08-2009, 12:28 PM

use a stethoscope, i.e. - a long screwdriver held to your ear. That helps pinpoint noises.

AndyH · 03-08-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yarrgh

use a stethoscope, i.e. - a long screwdriver held to your ear. That helps pinpoint noises.

I should have mentioned that I did do that...both made noise at idle and while my wife slowly rev'd the engine for me. Thanks for the suggestion though.

z&cobb · 03-08-2009, 08:17 PM

A stethoscope for about $10 can be used in more locations than a screwdriver.

There is a rubber hose that separates the probe from the head set ear phones. You can touch the probe it to a lot of other places where your head and the screw driver won't fit. The sound is amplified a lot when you put it on the source. For example near a bad alternator bearing.

01-04-2009, 10:25 PM	#1
timmah Scooby Specialist Member#: 54203 Join Date: Feb 2004 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Albany, NY Vehicle: 2011 WRX	whining noise that is affected by RPM This started just yesterday...I have an 04 wrx, with about 92k on it. The noise sounds like a whining that increases in pitch as the engine RPM's increase. My first guess is that the A/C clutch is broken (as pushing the a/c button no longer causes a change in engine vacuum). Anyone ever have this problem? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

01-05-2009, 08:09 AM	#3
timmah Scooby Specialist Member#: 54203 Join Date: Feb 2004 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Albany, NY Vehicle: 2011 WRX	it's not the turbo, i'm not that much of a noob. it is almost certainly the A/C compressor. it sounds like supercharger whine. I was just wondering if anyone knows if the clutch is separate or the thing is sold as whole unit. Last edited by timmah; 01-05-2009 at 10:30 AM.

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01-05-2009, 06:05 AM	#2
xwtfbrendan Scooby Newbie Member#: 160154 Join Date: Sep 2007	Thats the turbo.. (lol) Check all IC hoses / pipes / couplers?

01-05-2009, 03:21 PM	#4
xwtfbrendan Scooby Newbie Member#: 160154 Join Date: Sep 2007	Haha, I know. I was just playing.

01-05-2009, 03:22 PM	#5
Acrdys Scooby Newbie Member#: 152261 Join Date: Jun 2007 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: California Vehicle: 2007 WRX 2.5 Crystal Gray Metallic	whining similar to your car in reverse?

01-05-2009, 03:39 PM	#6
timmah Scooby Specialist Member#: 54203 Join Date: Feb 2004 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Albany, NY Vehicle: 2011 WRX	update: i just removed the belt to the a/c compressor and the sound is gone.

01-07-2009, 07:23 PM	#7
WRaholicX Scooby Newbie Member#: 147306 Join Date: Apr 2007	Hey, I just got the same exact sound, and I pinned it down to the AC compressor Clutch, however I haven't taken it apart to find the problem, does anyone know how to take the Compressor Clutch assembly apart?

01-07-2009, 07:41 PM	#8
rick-l Scooby Specialist Member#: 33868 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chesterfield, MO Vehicle: 2003 wrx srp	How about that $35 pulley (AC tensioner)? Mine made that noise before I changed it. Put a screwdriver on the bolt and the other end to your ear and it sounded rough.

01-07-2009, 08:15 PM	#9
WRaholicX Scooby Newbie Member#: 147306 Join Date: Apr 2007	No, it's not that, I put WD-40 on the AC clutch and the sound started to stop except at high RPM, it doesn't do it on startup anymore, but at around 3000 rpm it starts to sound like a supercharger. Thus, I'm almost positive it's the compressor clutch, do you know how to get lube down to the clutch bearing?

01-07-2009, 09:25 PM	#10
rick-l Scooby Specialist Member#: 33868 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chesterfield, MO Vehicle: 2003 wrx srp	Does it sound like the you tube recording in this? http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1487622

01-08-2009, 04:17 AM	#11
WRaholicX Scooby Newbie Member#: 147306 Join Date: Apr 2007	That was very helpful, thanks. I'll probably try to pull the AC belt and see if the noise stops

03-07-2009, 05:23 PM	#12
timmah Scooby Specialist Member#: 54203 Join Date: Feb 2004 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Albany, NY Vehicle: 2011 WRX	UPDATE: Swapped out the pulley, belt, etc, today, and the sound is gone and the a/c functions perfectly. So for anyone whose wrx sounds like it's superchargd: one of your pulleys went!

03-08-2009, 11:08 AM	#13
AndyH Scooby Specialist Member#: 2133 Join Date: Aug 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Minneapolis, MN USA Vehicle: 2005 STi WRB/Gold 2005 S4 Avant	Thanks for the update. I am experiencing a similar whining noise that tracks with engine RPM in my '05 STi. I was hoping it was the idler pulley for the A/C belt. Took the belts off yesterday and drove around with the A/C belt off and the whining noise is still there. So it appears that it's coming from either my alternator or power-steering pump. I can't determine which is making the noise so I'm not sure what I'm going to do at this point. I may just live with it until it gets worse and is easier to pinpoint. sigh

03-08-2009, 12:28 PM	#14
yarrgh Scooby Specialist Member#: 80465 Join Date: Jan 2005 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Aurora, CO Vehicle: 2001 2.5RS Black Diamond Pearl	use a stethoscope, i.e. - a long screwdriver held to your ear. That helps pinpoint noises.

03-08-2009, 08:17 PM	#16
z&cobb Scooby Specialist Member#: 12344 Join Date: Nov 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Mountains of Maryland Vehicle: 2002 2JC blue	A stethoscope for about $10 can be used in more locations than a screwdriver. There is a rubber hose that separates the probe from the head set ear phones. You can touch the probe it to a lot of other places where your head and the screw driver won't fit. The sound is amplified a lot when you put it on the source. For example near a bad alternator bearing.