whining noise

I have a 98 s-10 2.2 Its making a whining noise, like a power steering pump but with no change in noise when resistance is applied to the steering wheel. I changed it any ways but the noise is still there. Tried the stethescope thing but stiil can't pin point the location. The noise is constant and goes up and down with rpm. any ideas on where I should go next??

Possibly a bearing in one of the idler pulleys. They are pretty small and turn really fast, wear out quick. Take off belt and spin them. Any noise or felt roughness, replace it.

i had the same problem and i will try the ting u sugested to thanks

usually if you can safely give the idler bearings a quick squirt with some lube while the engine is running will quiet them down, and reveal the faulty bearing

You could try removing the belt and running the engine just long enough to see if the noise goes away.

Probably an alternator going.

Here's a thought, just in case you don't find a bad pulley bearing, perhaps the alternator is charging at a high current because your battery is going downhill. With the engine off, unplug the alternator, you can leave the heavy positive hooked up. Start the engine and see if the whinning went away. If it did, it's normal. Have a load test done on the battery.

i had a groaning whining sound.....was told it was the idler pulley...
the large grey/silver looking one at the top of the motor in the center....had it replaced....sound gone :)

replaced the idler on the tensioner, fixed the problem. Thanks for the help.