High pitched whine 99 LC

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Joined
Jan 31, 2024
Threads
3
Messages
25
Location
Kentucky
I've had this high pitched whine coming from the accessory belt. When I remove the belt the noise stops. I've replaced the belt, idler pulley, tensioner, alternator, and fan clutch bracket. I've used all Toyota OEM parts but I can't seem to figure out what's making the noise. It's usually around 1800-2000 rpms. Happens parked also. Power steering fluid is not low. Let me know what you think. I tried attaching a video but it's not working. Thank you in advance.
 
Have you tried with the a/c on and then off. Might be your a/c clutch. Could also be your power steering pump, fan clutch, or harmonic balancer???
 
Have you tried with the a/c on and then off. Might be your a/c clutch. Could also be your power steering pump, fan clutch, or harmonic balancer???
I have tried with the AC on and off. Doesn't seem to affect the sound. I've thought about the harmonic balancer. It didn't look in bad shape when I did the timing belt and I don't notice movement
 
It almost sounds like a vacuum/air sound in the video. I dunno.
Long shot, but I'd go over all the air intake hoses and connections and vacuum lines, and air filter lid. There's a small idle up vacuum port on the power steering pump that is fragile.

But you'd think if one of those was out of whack it would set of a code of some kind?
 
It almost sounds like a vacuum/air sound in the video. I dunno.
Long shot, but I'd go over all the air intake hoses and connections and vacuum lines, and air filter lid. There's a small idle up vacuum port on the power steering pump that is fragile.

But you'd think if one of those was out of whack it would set of a code of some kind?
Yeah there's no codes. It's been doing it for a while now. I thought it was the idler pulley so I put it off until I did the timing. But instead of throwing parts I wanna see if I can pinpoint it. Would the vacuum noise still happen with the serpentine belt off? When I remove the belt the noise goes away.
 
I have tried with the AC on and off. Doesn't seem to affect the sound. I've thought about the harmonic balancer. It didn't look in bad shape when I did the timing belt and I don't notice movement

Yeah there's no codes. It's been doing it for a while now. I thought it was the idler pulley so I put it off until I did the timing. But instead of throwing parts I wanna see if I can pinpoint it. Would the vacuum noise still happen with the serpentine belt off? When I remove the belt the noise goes away.
I was guessing at vacuum noise.
Just trying the think my way through it.

Is the belt good and tight, not too long, and flapping to make the sound at the specified RPM?
Routed correctly?
Anything touching the belt anywhere that's not supposed to?

Again, I am just thinking at it.

You could remove belt and spin all the pulleys by hand one at a time to see if you can tell what's noisy.

My power steering pump wines a bit when it's REALLY cold at first start up. Like single digits cold. Then friction warms it up.

Reminds me of one of those spinner whirler whistles I had as kid.

I'm still thinking at it. Whirling cruiser.
 
I was guessing at vacuum noise.
Just trying the think my way through it.

Is the belt good and tight, not too long, and flapping to make the sound at the specified RPM?
Routed correctly?
Anything touching the belt anywhere that's not supposed to?

Again, I am just thinking at it.

You could remove belt and spin all the pulleys by hand one at a time to see if you can tell what's noisy.

My power steering pump wines a bit when it's REALLY cold at first start up. Like single digits cold. Then friction warms it up.

Reminds me of one of those spinner whirler whistles I had as kid.

I'm still thinking at it. Whirling cruiser.
The belt seems tight and I've looked to see if it's rubbing anywhere. There's no wear and tear when I remove it. I've tried spinning everything while the belt is off. When I've used the stethoscope it sounds the loudest right behind the idler pulley. Maybe I got a bad one, I'm replacing the bolt, dust cover, and pulley to see if that does anything.
 
Just make sure it is not your A/C pulley or clutch.
 
It’s a rotational dependent noise, the higher the rpm the louder the noise. And with no codes it’s not likely for that to be vacuum or intake related. That noise sounds mechanical, something spinning. I would start from outer rotating parts like the alternator pulley, magnetic clutch of the compressor, crankshaft pulley, idler and do a comprehensive visual inspection of each component. Once you have ruled them all out, next is the inner rotating parts directly associated with the timing belt.

My guess, it’s the power steering pump assembly/pulley.
 
Sounds like a bearing. Also check the idle up vacuum lines off of the power steering pump.
 
It’s a rotational dependent noise, the higher the rpm the louder the noise. And with no codes it’s not likely for that to be vacuum or intake related. That noise sounds mechanical, something spinning. I would start from outer rotating parts like the alternator pulley, magnetic clutch of the compressor, crankshaft pulley, idler and do a comprehensive visual inspection of each component. Once you have ruled them all out, next is the inner rotating parts directly associated with the timing belt.

My guess, it’s the power steering pump assembly/pulley.
The timing belt, pulley, tensioner and water pump is new.

Then the only thing that's not new on the accessory belt is the crank pulley, PS and AC.

It was making this noise before I did all of that stuff but the timing needed to be done so I figured I'd swap the belt and tensioner and pulley on the accessory belt thinking that was the problem.

Other than pulling the belt and spinning the pulleys is there a better way to pinpoint it?
 
The noise sounds most prominent right here with the stethoscope, what's the odds a new pulley bearing is bad? Would a bad bolt or dust cover be causing problems?

PXL_20260304_132254261.webp
 
What brand is that pulley bearing?
It's Toyota part #1660450030. I did opt getting it on eBay but looked brand new. I did order one thru the dealership to swap out and see if that's the issue. Grabbed a new bolt and shield because I'm so confused, soon I'll just replace everything up front
 
It's Toyota part #1660450030. I did opt getting it on eBay but looked brand new. I did order one thru the dealership to swap out and see if that's the issue. Grabbed a new bolt and shield because I'm so confused, soon I'll just replace everything up front
I feel you
 
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