Strange noise near power steering pump

[krmason]

Lately, I have been hearing a strange whirring sound when I accelerate. It starts at about 30mph and stops at about 50mph.

When I rev the engine in idle, I hear the noise near the power steering pump/belt. I have replace the belt and the tensioner but the noise came back. How can I check to see if the power steering pump is the problem or something else.

My car is a 1997 cutlass cupreme with a 3.1 engine. I have air conditioning(it does not work.)

Ken

[DioGreer]

This is what you can do to pinpoint a noise. Get a curtain rod or piece of metal pipe and place one end on the part that could be making noise and listen to the other end. Be careful the pipe doesnt slip and get caught in the pulleys . I have used this method in the past to diagnose a bad idler pulley and worn alternator.

One thing about power steering pumps is that they give a distinctive whine when they are low on fluid. Check the fluid (which i hope you have done already) and for leaks. Another thing you can do is monitor the fluid in the reservoir when RPMs change. Watch the fluid level and let us know if anything drastic happens.

Is the sound consistent with vehicle speed or engine RPMs?

[krmason]

Originally Posted by DioGreer

This is what you can do to pinpoint a noise. Get a curtain rod or piece of metal pipe and place one end on the part that could be making noise and listen to the other end. Be careful the pipe doesnt slip and get caught in the pulleys . I have used this method in the past to diagnose a bad idler pulley and worn alternator.

One thing about power steering pumps is that they give a distinctive whine when they are low on fluid. Check the fluid (which i hope you have done already) and for leaks. Another thing you can do is monitor the fluid in the reservoir when RPMs change. Watch the fluid level and let us know if anything drastic happens.

Is the sound consistent with vehicle speed or engine RPMs?

It is very consistant with the speed. It is not a whine per say but almost as if something was grinding. As I accelerate, the noise disappears then comes back at a higher speed, though not as noisy.

If the PS pump goes, is it dangerous to drive or do you simply revert back to manual steering?

Thank you for your response.