02 Explorer High Pitched Whistle Sound

[michigan]

I recently purchased an 02 XLT Explorer 4.0 liter with 31000 miles and experience a high pithced sound at speeds between 50 and 70 mph. The sound is intermittent, that is it comes and goes, and also seems to be worse when temperature outside is below freezing. I have looked at the other posts, and as suggested by a post, checked my muffler for a plugged drain whole. The drain is not plugged, yet I still get the high pitched sound. Anyone have any other suggestions. Of course, when I take it to the dealer and have the mechanic ride with me the sound does not occur.

Thanks,

Duane

[michigan]

Talked with my local Ford dealer service manager a few days ago and he said that the whistle sound is coming from the alternator. He said that Ford has a service bulletin about this. Ford will fix it at no cost.

[Ford Explorer Fan]

I have a 2002 Explorer XLT with 30,000 miles and have the same whistle noise at start up on really cold days. I have had problems with this noise since it had 13,000 miles on it. I took it to Ford and after several times trying to figure out what it was and them talking to the Ford engineer's found that the power vavle in the valve body of the transmission was the problem. Ford did not have any known fix at the time so they gave me a remanufactored Transmission and now the new Transmission seems to shift funny sometimes and slips alittle at times. Does not seem to have the power it had after they put new one in. They also reprgrammed the PCM for updates. I wonder if that caused the shifting to change for the worse?

[Savvyconsumer]

I have a 2000 Explorer AWD, that I bought with 19000 miles. I too had the whistling sound, and it only happened when moving at high speed. It seemed to be coming from front left wheel area. The mechanic found the brakes and inside part of the front left wheel packed with mud and debris. He simply washed out, and the sound disappeared. It happened once during this past winter when there was alot of snow on the road. I parked my Explorer in the garage overnight, the snow melted, and the sound was gone. So, maybe your problem is as simple.

Good luck!!!

[02n96exploder]

Had what I called a "wind noise" type sound from my 02, V8, at about 2800 RPM's It is in shop now and has been diagnosed with a bad Torque converter. Don't know if that helps at all. Hopefully it takes care of my problem.

[gavin1021]

I have an 02 Explorer V8 and was having a problem with a faint, but noticeable high-pitched noise. Didn't happen all the time. It was a bitch to reproduce to the dealership. I only heard it when I was doing about 35mph and after the car had sat awhile. After replacing a few other parts, it ended up being the torque convertor. They replaced that and I haven't heard it since.

[nitenrustinarmor]

have same or similar problem but i know what it is last year i blew a belt and it some how managed to break a seal or something on the power steering pump had the seal repaired but when ever its cold out it will make a whistle for a while till it warms up and then it goes away could be that or maybe just a lose belt? sometimes causes a high pitch squeel just somethings ive incounterd