Hi everyone,

I've got a 2010 H3 I5 w/about 138,000 miles on it. I've owned it since 8,000 miles so basically a single owner. As of yesterday i stated to notice a whining sound that oscillates and sounds a bit like a pump whining. It goes away as soon as i shift the truck out of park and will start making the noise again in park or neutral. It does take about 5 to 10 seconds once i move from drive to park for the sound to start. The noise seems to be coming from the middle to drivers side of the car and possibly up front but hard to pinpoint it.

Any ideas?

 

Secondary Air Injection Pump?

 

https://www.freeasestudyguides.com/a2_2.html

 

Have you recently changed the transmission fluid? Check transmission level running at operating temp. Also check condition of the fluid.

 

Thanks everyone. I checked the trans fluid and it needs changing (had the pan dropped and changed about 60,000 miles ago) but it's not low at operating temp or cold, the cooler seems to be in between light brown and dark brown and doesn't smell burnt.

The secondary air seems like it could be possible as the location seems like where the noise is. Does the pump turn on and off based on when you are in park or neutral vs drive? That seems the be the most interesting part that the noise stops when i shift out of park or neutral.

 

I brought the truck in for an oil change and had them look into the noise. It was isolated to the transfer case. The big mystery is why only in park and neutral. It is intermittent but happens 80% of the time. But when under load no noise. Changed the fluid 2 times (every 50,000).

Obviously no quick or cheap fix but anyone else run into this? It looks like it's time for a trade in b/c I can't imagine this will be cheap.

 

Hellava lot cheaper than a trade, otherwise known as dealer rape. You can replace the T Case with a used low mile unit for $1500 or less, if that is where the noise is. If you are trusting diagnostics to oil change kids, I have a bridge for sale.

 

That is great ... oil change kids. This is my usual mechanic that does all my work. They charged me a diagnostic fee so it better not have been the oil change kids that looked at it but who knows 😀

Was that $1500 with the labor also or just the case?

 

Rare for whining to be coming from tc. Again, check level and condition of the fluid.
Or just simply get a Mechanic's Stethoscope and self diagnose.

 

X2! Few weeks back my SIL brought her Audi over to me, after the novice said she needed an engine due to ticking noise. I indeed heard the noise, pulled out my stethoscope, and traced it to a loose(broken weld) exhaust heat shield. I had a gear clamp and secured, NO MORE NOISE! Total OOP -$0-. No charge to SIL, yet later I received a case of Bud, and still no noise as of today.