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Whirring Sound

R

rdenn58

New member
Hi All,

I have a '01 GTP. I have always had a noise that seems to come from the front since I have had the car. After the engine is started, placed in drive, brake pedal released, and car starts to move, a double tone whirring sound happens for about 1 second and has more of a bass tone. The sound goes away and isn't heard again until the car is shut off and then restarted again. The whirring sound didn't happen at all when driving.

Within the past couple weeks, the whirring sound comes and goes even while driving.....mostly at slow speeds (less than 15 mph). As an example, last night I got in the car and as soon as I released the foot brake and the car started forward, the sound occurred. When the car had moved another 15 feet, it happened again. As I made a U turn in the next 20 feet, it happened again. After I straightened the car and 20 feet later, it happened again. 50 feet later, it happened again. Then no noise the rest of the drive home (3 miles). When I drove it again later, no noise for the entire drive. When the sound occurs, it doesn't affect engine rpm or performance. The sound can happen while driving straight or turning and doesn't happen during braking.

Does anyone have an idea what this would be? I would welcome all suggestions and ideas. Thanks in advance.

Rich
 


Cool,

Thanks for the quick reply. No I haven't checked that. I will do that tonight after work. I will let you know what happens.
 
Just checked the power steering pump fluid and it's ok, but the original problem has changed. Now when the double whirring sound happens (slower speeds only), there is a slight hesitation to the vehicle and the Lo Trac light comes on. The hesitation seems to be coming from the front driver side.

Ford Man.......in the past, the whirring sound only occurred during the initial movement after starting the car. That may be the ABS pump self test. Now the issue is happening intermittently at slower speeds while driving around town. I looked to see if the CEL light was coming on at the same time and didn't see it. The way this problem is escalating, I wouldn't be surprised if that happened next. Also, the brake fluid level is good.

Thanks and keep those suggestions coming.
 


If your lo trac/abs light is coming on, it could be bad wheel speed sensors in the hub assemblies...try unplugging/re-seating the abs plugs and see if it goes away...worked for me...
 
Here's an update.......I disconnected the ECBM plug and checked the wheel speed sensor on all the wheels with an ohmmeter. All checked good without rotating the tires. I was not surprised by this since this is an intermittent problem. Next, I checked the right front speed sensor by moving the steering wheel all the way to the left and then to the right multiple times. The resistance reading only moved 1-2 ohms. I did the same thing with the left front speed sensor. The resistance readings jumped 200-400 ohms. I would imagine it would have changed more since the sampling rate for my meter is not that great. I rechecked the front right again and it was solid. I then jacked up the car and removed the left front wheel. I shook the speed sensor cabling and never saw a change in the ohm readings. I disconnected the speed sensor plug and again shook the wiring of the harness going back to the ECBM and it was good. I connected my meter to the wheel speed sensor plug in the wheel well and shook the wiring. Again, the reading was good. I cleaned both sides of the sensor plug. I drove it around yesterday and never had a problem, but that doesn't mean much since this is an intermittent problem. More testing through the week, but I think this is a wheel speed sensor that is going bad. If I can get the problem to happen again, I will be going down to the parts store to pick up a wheel speed sensor. Thanks for all the help!
 
Thanks, loopy smurf! I had just started checking the online parts stores in my area and found the same thing. That sucks. It not only adds to the cost, but adds to the repair time as well. Who needs to play golf anyway.
 


It's a pretty simple job, though. Just don't forget to rent/borrow an axle nut set when you get the hub...I typically get my hubs online and then use a loaner tool from Advance for the axle nut. Three bolts for the hub and a few whacks from behind with a BFH to get it loose, and voila! lol
 
Loopy,

I am doing the job this weekend. The step son is helping out. He says he has all the tools necessary including the 36mm for the axle nut, torque wrench, and the BFH. I hope it goes smoothly........got to get to the granddaughter's birthday party.
 
Awesome! It's really not a bad job, so you should be good. Oh - I use a 6 foot pipe with my breaker bar to get the axle nut loose, btw...lol
 


no grease, slide it back in the hole be careful not to smash the seal there, push it in till it clicks, pull on it to make sure its locked in.
 
loopy smurf said:
Awesome! It's really not a bad job, so you should be good. Oh - I use a 6 foot pipe with my breaker bar to get the axle nut loose, btw...lol
Click to expand...

I am the 6' breaker bar.....lol. Actually the step son has a compressor and impact wrench for the axle nut. If that doesn't get it, then the "lol" in sentence #1 doesn't apply.
 
We replaced the hub assembly this weekend. It went well and we were done in less than 2 hours. So far there hasn't been any noise at low speeds from the front end. It also seemed to cure a thud sound when we would hit a small pot hole or bump as well. Two problems with one part.....nice! Thanks for all the help getting this done!!!
 
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