Pontiac Repair: whining..., pontiac grand prix, power steering pump

Question
I have a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT.  Just noticed a whining (almost sounds like an emergency vehicle) when the gas is applied while excellerating.  When the speed gets greater I no longer hear it. A friend of mine said it could be a vaccuum leak....Do you have any knowledge as to what this annoying noise could be?

Thank you,
Cindy in Myrtle Beach

Answer
Hi Cindy:

well either the power steering pump is low on fluid or the one of the other accessories driven by the belt is making the noise. My bet is the p/s pump is low on fluid. But it could be something else like an alternator or a idler pulley for the belt...