2002 Impala: whistle noise when idle only.

[big_impala]

My 2002 impala 3.4L with 92,000 miles on it is making whistle noise in the cabin.
It can hear it when I first start the engine for 10-15 minutes and then it goes away.
It also happens when the car is idlling only.
I cannot hear that noise when I'm outside the car or when I open the window.
I tried to locate the noise in the engine bay. but I have no luck.
I just could not hear that noise outside the car.

One weird thing is when I press the power window button
and hold it, the noise goes away. And then after I release
the power window button, it comes back again.
The noise also goes away when the car is accelerating.
When I pull the foot from gas pedal, the noise will comes back again.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Kris.

[ogre73]

Kris,
I have a 2003 Impala with only 40K on it and I am hearing the same thing. Sort of wierd, like a bearing or something, but when I roll down the window, gone. When I am outside the car, can't hear it. It seems like it only happens when the car is cold, but I wouldn't say for sure. If you find out, please let me know.
Jim

[ChrisInPa]

My 2002 impala 3.4L with 92,000 miles on it is making whistle noise in the cabin.
It can hear it when I first start the engine for 10-15 minutes and then it goes away.
It also happens when the car is idlling only.
I cannot hear that noise when I'm outside the car or when I open the window.
I tried to locate the noise in the engine bay. but I have no luck.
I just could not hear that noise outside the car.

It sounds like you may need a throttle body (in the fuel injection system.) There is a service bulletin from Chevrolet on the whistling noise. It is described as a tea pot type whistling mostly at cold idle, light throttle or highway speeds. The bulletin says the noise can be reduced or eliminated by replacing the throttle body. They are not cheap, however.

Chris

[ogre73]

Chris,
Thanks for the tip. That would also be a good reason for the rough/stumbling idle I have. I have a 100K extended warranty, so I think I'll have to get that checked out.
Jim

[big_impala]

Thanks, Chris. I'll look into that.
Jim, Could you please let us know the result after you get this done. I ran out of all warranty. I might have to do this myself. I'd like to know if this fix the problem. Thanks.

[victimizati0n]

We have this problem

Were 99% sure it is the fuel pump, and it is gonig to the dealer next week. I will post what happens.

[ogre73]

victimization,
That would be great. Big Impala, sorry I didn't respond, things have been crazy busy. I haven't even had time to consider the noise again.
Jim

[victimizati0n]

Well.. no more sound!!!!

They installed a new fuel pump, and a new mogulator.

Total cost:$500 (insurance covered it, for us)

[ogre73]

I took the car to the dealer this week because of the rough idle. It's not throwing any codes, but they took a snapshot. The diagnosis was that cylinder 3 has a slight misfire. They changed the plugs from 3 to 4 and it stayed on 3.
I asked about the wire, they said not the problem. They thought it was the fuel injectors being dirty, and suggested I try Techron. I put two bottles in a full tank and it still has the exact same idle problem.

The problem, specifically, is that the car will seem to "miss" intermittently, and feels like it will stall, then recovers.

Of course, when the car was in the shop, the "whistle" noise was not heard, by them or by me! I don't know if they checked the fuel pressure to eliminate the fuel pump idea, but I will continue to post as I get updates on this issue.

[ogre73]

I forgot to mention:
The car has 57K miles on it. At around 40K I replaced all 6 plugs with platinum, replaced pcv valve, air filter, and I change the oil regularly. I had the garage down the street replace the fuel filter and change the oil before I added the Techron.

So that brings me to a couple of things:
The fuel injector(s).
The ignition module.
The spark plug wire.

If anyone else has an idea, keeping in mind the misfire seems isolated to one cylinder, lets hear it!

[big_impala]

After I replaced the intake manifold gaskets since it was leaking coolant, the whistle noise almost went away. I believe it's a resonant noise from almost empty bottle of coolant reserved tank I had before gasket replacement.

[ogre73]

I'm not leaking coolant (I had the intake man. gasket go on my Lumina, so I have been watching this carefully), and I have proper fluid levels all around.

The dealer mechanics actually looked at me funny when I went into the garage to point out to them the problem. I don't think most people pay that much attention to be able to recognize a problem at this stage. I just consider myself lucky to know a little about what I am doing and that I can tell when something isn't quite right.

[big_impala]

please see
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=424557

for solution.