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Whirring under jeep in park getting louder

10K views 27 replies 8 participants last post by  California Joe 
#1 ·
I can provide any and all info requested but I have to provide a backstory first. Also, please excuse my ignorance as this is my first and only experience with a jeep. Thanks.

Bought the jeep nearly two years ago and complained of lack of power but just chalked it up to a 4 banger auto jeep. It had an exhaust leak among other issues but no one picked up on it and I thought it was normal and even come to love and hate the aggressive sound. I've recently been on a maintenance spree and am now chasing every concern.

I had a bad oil filter that leaked oil, then my mechanic (whom I trust fully although I will no longer take anything except run of the mill passenger cars to) replaced it with the same high quality brand and it too had the same oil leak problem. Pin hole spraying oil. Did the next oil change at NTB because the coupon basically said they could do it cheaper than I. Later found out I also had a valve cover leak, tightened the frighteningly loose nuts and fixed that leak for free. This is all pertinent because all that oil may have fried some electronic connectors and this useless computer rarely throws codes.

I have not checked the transfer case fluid but last I checked it is not engaged at park and I've kept it well maintained anyways.

After fixing the exhaust leak for free I have noticed it runs better and I can hear a lot of things I never heard before. One of those sounds is a constant whirring that sounds like something spinning slowly, seems to complete the cycling sound in just under one second, always there no matter what. I couldn't tell you if it's there while driving, but it momentarily lingers after cutting the jeep off. It's under the jeep, maybe around the transmission or transfer case area. If I fried the electrical connector I don't know what it's for or what it attaches to but I'll attach a photo.

I have also noticed since I fixed my exhaust leak that the jeep buzzes in two different tones when in neutral and reverse, with no buzz in drive.

Anyone have any ideas:
1) what the whirring is?
2) sup with the buzzing?
3) what's the electrical component, is it related to my issue, if not should I replace it and any wiring saturated

Auto part Pipe Metal




Auto part Pipe




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Auto part Exhaust system Vehicle Muffler Automotive exhaust


by the oil? Last photo shows the general area of noise, almost sounds like a bad pulley or something.
 
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#2 ·
It also has had a grinding noise that seems to happen under acceleration and hard accel. and then fast decel. like stepping on the gas at low speeds and then removing my lead foot right afterwards such as being cut off by a car. I've noticed the whirring noise seems less noticeable once warmed up but I don't know that it's gone.

I don't like to guide the forum in order to keep it impartial but I'm thinking my torque converter may be crappin' out. Anyone have any ideas?
I'll try to upload a video of the noise tonight or tomorrow.
 
#3 ·
If the whirring noise occurs only when moving, then its likely in the drive train and commonly it's a bad pinion bearing. But also check your differentials, tranny, and transfercase for fluid levels and fluid color/condition.
 
#5 ·
Since I can't hear the noise, I am taking guesses.... Another point for whirring is within the Belt, alternator, and pulleys. With the motor idling and the sound whirring, trickle some water directly on the belt (yes, ya may get wet) and see if the noise changes. If the whirring sound changes, then you have started to isolate the problem and I would replace the belt and inspect (for wobble) and scrub grime off the pulleys.

The internals of the Alternator may also be causing the noise. A Mechanics Stethoscope can help hear that noise by placing the tip on the Alt.
 
#6 ·
I appreciate all the help I can get, I'll upload a video to YouTube when my vehicle cools off so it'll likely be in the morning. I have been all around the jeep listening for it and unless my jeep is a ventriloquist the sound is coming from above my skid plate in the transmission area. It sounds very similar to a belt but it's definitely not. I'm not sure if it's indicative of a problem but I hate to assume it isn't and then need a rebuilt transmission. I don't know if it's new, my exhaust leak may have drowned out the sound especially considering the leak was less than a couple feet from the whirring/winning noise.
 
#7 ·
3) what's the electrical component, is it related to my issue, if not should I replace it and any wiring saturated
That is the starter. Since it is working no need to replace just clean the oil off of it. Be aware that the red cable has 12 volts live. You may want to disconnect the ground on the battery before working on or around starter.
 
#8 ·
Thank you! I have noticed it seems to start very, very fast, almost too fast and has been something I've raised an eyebrow at more than once. So fast it actually almost sounds like it starts before it's able to and nearly seems to consider hesitating if that makes any sense... Does this sound like an issue that the oil soaked plug would cause?

I am currently uploading the video's to youtube, my phone is taking a painfully long time to do this...it must work for the government lmao. The video's paint a vivid picture, and I've noticed how crappy my jeep seems to sound even after fixing the exhaust leak. :beerme:
 
#10 ·
This is the video cycling through the varying noises produced by placing the jeep in Neutral (louder) and reverse (less ominous but if you listen carefully towards the end you can most definitely hear it.) Any ideas? I'm okay with you telling me it's normal and I'm suffering from a DumbA*$ attack, or that it needs to get into a shop NOW and I'm suffering from a DumbA*$ attack lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6fRz3dipjc
 
#11 ·
Well, after some research I am kind of thinking the timing chain may be the awful knock sound I am hearing in the video I uploaded and did not address as it was not the focus. It is much louder in the video under the jeep than it is outside nearby and is nearly unnoticeable inside the cab, and I think that may be the rattle I spoke of when giving gas and letting off the gas again. I wouldn't mind some insight into this as well if anyone find time. Meanwhile, I'm getting some rest. Thanks in advance.
 
#14 ·
Thanks for the reply, were you able to hear it at the end of the video? I've thought about the torque converter but that's the first I've heard of a pump, I'll look into that. The fluid level is fine and isn't burned, I need to see if I find any metal shavings or anything.

What would I need to do to look into the torque converter or transmission pump? Would most shops check those for free or should I expect to fork over some coin?
 
#15 ·
If i remember correctly it goes like this. If the noise is only when it's in gear then it would be the torque converter. If it makes the sound at all times then it would be the front pump.

Also, if the sound changes pitch as you are driving that would point to the torque converter...

I am not an expert though...
 
#16 ·
The torque converter would be my luck but the pump makes sense because I have only heard it while sitting still. The whirring sound is very subtle, I often am unable to hear it unless I get under the hood or jeep so I don't think I would be able to hear it while moving were it the torque converter.

The only reason I heard it to begin with is that the sound temporarily lingers for maybe half a second after cutting the jeep off, would the pump continue to pump for a brief moment after cutting the jeep off?

Also, have you any insight as to whether the buzzing noises are normal when in neutral and reverse? It's the second video I uploaded and the noises are quite discernable.
 
#17 ·
Block the wheels and get under the jeep while in neutral. Start at the rear of the transfer case and feel the outside of the housings of the t-case and transmission and see if you can feel the vibration and try to pinpoint the buzz. Remove the skid for better access. The pump, torque convertor, etc are in specific areas of the housing and you may be able to pinpoint it better.
 
#18 ·
Watched the videos again. Someone may correct me, but I think the trans pump only is engaged in park and in gear in the 2002. The pump shouldn't be engaged in neutral. In my 98, the pump is engaged in neutral, but not park. That would rule out the pump making the noise when in neutral. The knock sounds like lifters, most jeeps do it, or another exhaust leak which sounds like a knock.
 
#19 ·
Thank you very much! I'll check for the area of buzzing this week, I have an interview this afternoon and another tomorrow afternoon so I'm not sure when I'll find out exactly. If it is just lifters ticking should marvel mystery oil be tried until I can open it up to see what's going on? Also, I've come to realize the knock goes away once it warms up which makes me think it may indeed be lifters. When I do an oil change next time around I'll use some oil that's thinner when cold.

When I use MMO should I replace the oil filter shortly after? Does anyone have any links I could follow up with on MMO?

One last thing, the whirring is in park, i don't know about others gears but I'll find out when I try to find the area of the buzzing in neutral.
 
#24 ·
Fire, I still have a hard time understanding how this works. The pump is constantly spinning regardless of what gear the transmission is in. Perhaps the fluid is just be re-routed when in park?

I am struggling with what you say because there is a direct mechanical connection between the engine and the front pump. How could the yoke on the torque converter be disengaged from the front pump that it mates with without removing the converter?
 
#25 ·
The outer housing of the torque converter is bolted to the flex plate/fly wheel, it is mated to the hyd. pump in the trans. The input shaft of the transmission is splined to the stator inside the torque converter. As the housing spins it moves trans fluid through the veins of the stator causing the input shaft to turn. This allows the engine to run when you stop just like a pushing in the clutch pedal on a manual trans. With this being said the the trans pump runs anytime the engine is running. Also the term lockup converter means that the torque convert has a clutch that engages at highway speed that eliminates slippage for better fuel mileage.
 
#27 ·
Welcome to the Forum, from Cave Creek AZ.

Congrats on owning a Wrangler!
 
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