Oh boy....

Hi I just registered to see if you guys would be able to help me :]

So first off my 2004 Chevy Impala LS has a few problems..

The most annoying one is the winding noise while I'm driving, giving it gas, and while turning. Pretty much a winding noise while driving the whole time, almost sounds like a cat or some type of belt.

Second, my blinkers will stop working some times and I have to hit the hazards button on and off for my regular blinkers to even turn on.

Third, my cigarette lighter is broken.

Forth, the RPM tack is off place.

What do I do?!

On a side note, anyone know where I can find custom parts for the impala, like smoked tail, head and fog lights? Also, I heard that if you have a custom radio installed some things will stop working? How do you by pass that and why does it stop working. I really want an after market stereo put in.

The whining noise is most likely a bad power steering pump or hub bearing. If the noise changes with engine RPM, I'd suspect the p/st pump. If it changes with road speed, hub bearing.

The turn signal flasher is a part of the hazard switch assembly, and it has to be replaced as a unit (the flasher itself is not serviceable).

Is the lighter not working, or is it broken in pieces?

Forth, the RPM tack is off place.
What do you mean by this statement?

The whining noise is most likely a bad power steering pump or hub bearing. If the noise changes with engine RPM, I'd suspect the p/st pump. If it changes with road speed, hub bearing.

The turn signal flasher is a part of the hazard switch assembly, and it has to be replaced as a unit (the flasher itself is not serviceable).

Is the lighter not working, or is it broken in pieces?


What do you mean by this statement?

The rpm is offset, it's not in the correct place.

Like the cigarettes lighter holder part, it doesnt have power. Cigarette lighter wont light and car chargers wont work, etc. Also, whats the p/st pump? Could the problem possibly be the hub bearing? That's where it sounds like its coming from.

Also heat still comes out from the heaters when the heater is turned off.

The rpm is offset, it's not in the correct place.

Like the cigarettes lighter holder part, it doesnt have power. Cigarette lighter wont light and car chargers wont work, etc. Also, whats the p/st pump? Could the problem possibly be the hub bearing? That's where it sounds like its coming from.

Also heat still comes out from the heaters when the heater is turned off.

I'm not sure about the others but the heat issue could just be air coming thru the vent from outside. Try this, keep the fan off, put the selector to panel and hit the recirculator button.

The cigarette lighter could be a fuse or just a bad lighter (GM is famous for crappy lighters).

On the tachometer, are you saying that the entire guage isn't lined up with the hole in the cluster, or is the needle not indicating proper RPM?

Did you even read my response you highlighted? you ask:

Also, whats the p/st pump? Could the problem possibly be the hub bearing? That's where it sounds like its coming from.


I can almost understand the first part if you don't know much about cars, as you may not know that "p/st pump" is a common abbreviation for "power steering pump".

I stated that it could be a hub bearing, so why did you ask that again as if it wasn't mentioned?

I'm not trying to be snippy, but you're all over with your questions and responses.

The cigarette lighter could be a fuse or just a bad lighter (GM is famous for crappy lighters).

On the tachometer, are you saying that the entire guage isn't lined up with the hole in the cluster, or is the needle not indicating proper RPM?

Did you even read my response you highlighted? you ask:




I can almost understand the first part if you don't know much about cars, as you may not know that "p/st pump" is a common abbreviation for "power steering pump".

I stated that it could be a hub bearing, so why did you ask that again as if it wasn't mentioned?

I'm not trying to be snippy, but you're all over with your questions and responses.

Yes, I apologize about that... I do not know much about cars. I don't think I meant hub bearing... I meant to say the pulley bearing? I don't know if its the same thing. But the noise is coming from the belt on the left side next to the alternator. It could be possible that it is both the p/st pump and which ever bearing because it also makes winding noises when turning somewhat sharp.

As far as the tack on the rpm guage when I first purchased it, it was pointing face down now it's moved to about an inch under zero. I think I need a whole new cluster.

Thanks for your help and knowledge so far richtazz, I apologize if I irritated you.

no I'm not irritated at all, you're fine. I was just making sure you were reading the whole thing before posting a response and wanted to clarify what was being said. From your last post, I would finger the power steering pump. It will make a growling/chattering type noise when it goes bad, especially when turning the steering wheel quickly while sitting still. Does your car have the 3800 engine? If so, the power steering pump is located just below the alternator in the back, kinda hard to see and get at. If your car has the 3400, the power steering pump is located in the top-center of the engine, next to the alternator. Make sure you check the fluid level in the pump reservoir, as low fluid will cause the same noise as a bad pump will.

no I'm not irritated at all, you're fine. I was just making sure you were reading the whole thing before posting a response and wanted to clarify what was being said. From your last post, I would finger the power steering pump. It will make a growling/chattering type noise when it goes bad, especially when turning the steering wheel quickly while sitting still. Does your car have the 3800 engine? If so, the power steering pump is located just below the alternator in the back, kinda hard to see and get at. If your car has the 3400, the power steering pump is located in the top-center of the engine, next to the alternator. Make sure you check the fluid level in the pump reservoir, as low fluid will cause the same noise as a bad pump will.

It's more of a high pitched winding noise as i'm driving. It's a little growly... Which might make me think it's the hub bearing or the pulley bearing. What's the difference between the two?

I fit makes the noise all the time, here is a simple test. Take the belt off and drive the car a VERY short distance (remember, without the belt on, you have no coolant circulation, alternator charging, or power steering assist). If the noise is still there with the belt removed, it's not the power steering pump as the belt drives it. If it goes away with the belt removed, it's a power steering pump.

I had a similar sounding noise that varied with engine RPM and/or while turning the steering wheel... It was my P.S. pump going bad... On the 3.8L motor it's a PITA to change...

I fit makes the noise all the time, here is a simple test. Take the belt off and drive the car a VERY short distance (remember, without the belt on, you have no coolant circulation, alternator charging, or power steering assist). If the noise is still there with the belt removed, it's not the power steering pump as the belt drives it. If it goes away with the belt removed, it's a power steering pump.
An even easier test: Start the car. :) Hubs don't make noise when the car isn't moving.
Before replacing the P/S pump, make sure you have checked the fluid level. Easy on the 3.4, big pain on the 3.8.

An even easier test: Start the car. :) Hubs don't make noise when the car isn't moving.
Before replacing the P/S pump, make sure you have checked the fluid level. Easy on the 3.4, big pain on the 3.8.

Well that's why I think its one of the bearing AND the pump. It whines when i get it any gas.

Where is the front cigarette lighter fuse?

In my car the front lighter does not work but the back one is fine. I had a dime lodged in the ligther port for a while so I think that may have shorted it out.

Actually, I changed the P/St pump on my Grand Prix 3800 in less than an hour by removing the overflow jug (2 nuts) to gain access to the mounting bolts and getting at the lines through the passenger side wheel well.

I fit makes the noise all the time, here is a simple test. Take the belt off and drive the car a VERY short distance (remember, without the belt on, you have no coolant circulation, alternator charging, or power steering assist). If the noise is still there with the belt removed, it's not the power steering pump as the belt drives it. If it goes away with the belt removed, it's a power steering pump.

which belt do i remove?

There is only one belt under the hood. It is on the passenger side by the radiator overflow tank. Before you remove it, be certain you can get it back on, it is not as easy as it looks. You might just want to get a new one while you're at it if it hasn't been changed in the last 50k miles or so. They aren't that expensive. Also, make sure you can route it exactly the same. There should be a sticker near the belt that shows the correct routing. If not, take a picture before you remove it!
Giving the car gas, whether moving or not, will increase the speed of the P/S pump and everything else run by the belt. If the whine changes with engine speed (with the car in park) you do not have a hub bearing problem.
With the engine running, and the car in park, turn the steering wheel. If the noise changes, you have a P/S pump problem. If not, it is something else belt driven.
You haven't said which engine you have-3.4 or 3.8?

There is only one belt under the hood. It is on the passenger side by the radiator overflow tank. Before you remove it, be certain you can get it back on, it is not as easy as it looks. You might just want to get a new one while you're at it if it hasn't been changed in the last 50k miles or so. They aren't that expensive. Also, make sure you can route it exactly the same. There should be a sticker near the belt that shows the correct routing. If not, take a picture before you remove it!
Giving the car gas, whether moving or not, will increase the speed of the P/S pump and everything else run by the belt. If the whine changes with engine speed (with the car in park) you do not have a hub bearing problem.
With the engine running, and the car in park, turn the steering wheel. If the noise changes, you have a P/S pump problem. If not, it is something else belt driven.
You haven't said which engine you have-3.4 or 3.8?

I'll have to try that when I have time, thank you. I have the 3.8