2001 GC Loud Whine when cold

Vehicle:
2001 Dodge Grand Caravan EX w 140k miles, a slight engine tick when cold, and burning about a qt of oil every 3000 miles. Just got an EGR code. No leaks.

I have had a nagging problem for the past 2 winters.

When I first start the car in the morning, I get a loud whine. Over the next 10 to 15 seconds the sound volume goes down and eventually is gone. The colder it is, the louder the whine and the longer it lasts. One morning, after an especially cold night (10 degF), it was louder and whined for about a minute. This has been the case for the last two winters. When it warms up the sound does not occur and the car works well.

Now it is Spring in NJ and I hardly hear it at all. It seems to come from the engine front(belt area) but it could be from anywhere. I am going to change the belt soon and will spin all of the pulleys at that time but, honestly, unless something is really loose, I don't expect to find anything.

Tranny seems fine with good smelling fluid, good fluid level, and no leaks. I do have a constant, low volume, tranny whine.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Thanks in advance.

I have a similar sound from my 02 caravan with 180000 miles and although mine does not make the sound as long as yours does, I think mine is coming from the starter not disengaging as soon as the engine starts. If you can have someone start it while you are listening under the hood, might be able to tell for sure.

My guess would be something fluid related, such as a water pump or power steering pump. Does the whine change pitches if you turn the steering wheel? If it was mechanical, like an idler pulley bearing or alternator, I don't think temperature would have an affect. And it would probably have more of a grind than a whine.

JMO.

Thanks for resp coalminer and RonMur. we still have a few cold nights left so I will try and listen to the starter (should be easy because of its location) and I will try and jack with the steering while it is making the noise (good idea). Thanks guys.

I should note that when I here the whine I also feel a corresponding high freq, low amplitude vibration in the steering wheel. The vibration also dissipates along with the whine.

you can try and replace the power steering reservior. There are a lot of tsbs regrading this problem.......