QuestionQUESTION: When this 3L, V6 auto minivan is under moderate-to-heavy load, there's a loud squeal or whistle coming from the engine compartment.
I can't make it happen sitting in the driveway and revving the engine. Can't make it happen in Drive and with the engine loaded against the transmission.
Speed doesn't seem to matter. Ok at 40, 50, 70, so long as I'm on level ground or downhill. Anything more than the slightest uphill, and the whistle begins.
It will do it accelerating from a stop to travel speed, if I don't "baby" the throttle.
I can reduce it or eliminate it by "feathering" the throttle climbing those inclines.
I've seen that there's a '98 TSB about it, related to the Speed Control (Cruise Control??)... but can't find the meat of that TSB.
Inlet box/filter housing have been disassembled and inspected. Nothing loose and no cracks visible.
Thanks much for the help (again)
ANSWER: Hi Cal,
That certainly does have the earmarks of a leak in the air intake lea prior to the throttle body. Have you checked the air hose from the front of the vehicle all the way to the inlet box/filter housing? If there is no perception of any malfunction in the power output to the wheels, then I would focus on such an air leak. I don't see a tie to the cruise control system here.
Another possibility is the torque converter. Is the sound there when the converter is locked up, just as when not so-locked? If no sound when locked, then that would implicate the converter.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks for the quick reply (found it in my new email program's spam folder)
I removed the intake plenum, and hose down to the filter housing, and drove the car. Same result. Squeal/whistle under load (along with the loud hissing from the open air intake)
Then, I sold the car (they knew about this). I'd like to give them a hint of someplace to look.
I found this, but couldn't get details.
Component Description:
78. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Bulletin Number: 110598
Bulletin Date: Apr 1998
Vehicle: 1998 Plymouth Voyager
Summary:
SOME VEHICLES MAY PRODUCE A HIGH PITCHED WHISTLE NOISE DURING WIDE OPEN THROTTLE ACCELERATION. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 600802 )
I appreciate your efforts. Thanks much!
Cal
AnswerHi Cal,
I tried to find it via the NHTSA number at NHTSA.gov but didn't find it, except for a couple of enties about speed control linkage, but not about the whistle. May I suggest you take a look at that sight and see what you find? Also, because of the 'bulletin number' which probably is a Chrysler service bulletin, may I suggest that you ask Kevin, the other 'expert' who works at a dealerhsip, to look it up in the service bulletin file? He has access to that, while I do not.
Thanks,
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer. Thanks
