Drive Belt Whine

Drive Belt Whine Diagnosis





Diagnostic Aids
The drive belts will not cause the whine.

If the whine is intermittent, verify that it is not the accessory drive components by varying their loads, making sure they are operating to their maximum capacity. An overcharged air conditioning (A/C) system, a power steering system restriction, or the incorrect fluid, or a failing generator are suggested items to inspect.

Test Description
The numbers below refer to the steps in the diagnostic table.
3. This test is to verify that the whine is being caused by the accessory drive components. Remove the drive belts and operate the engine for a few second, this will verify if the whining noise is related to the accessory drive component. With the drive belts removed the water pump will not operate and the engine may overheat. Also diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may set when the engine is operated with the drive belts removed.
4. The inspection should include checking the drive belt tensioner and the drive belt idler pulley bearings. The drive belts may have to be installed and the accessory drive components operated separately by varying their loads. Refer to the suspected accessory drive component for the proper removal and installation procedure.