Generally, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a good car. The first release came out in 1993, and redesigned over the years to the current fifth-generation 2021 model. The capability of this mid-size SUV off road and its ability to tow heavy loads with ease are some of the reasons it stands out. On the other hand, there have been several complaints on the car has, with the 2011, 2014 and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee models in particular taking the most hit. Among the complaints is on unusual noises. Some owners have reported hearing whining noises coming from their Jeep Grand Cherokee when accelerating. But is it normal, and is there anything to worry about?
Why is my jeep making a whining noise when accelerating?
If your Jeep Grand Cherokee is experiencing a whining noise that changes with engine speed, it is most likely due to an issue with an accessory attached to the engine. The parts could be broken or worn down. Some of the common causes of whining noises when accelerating include:
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Power steering
The power steering pump is a common culprit for whining noise on a Jeep Grand Cherokee when accelerating. This happens when the pump gets too low on fluid. The pump can also go out.
To determine if the power steering pump is causing the problem, turn the wheel left and right with the car sitting. If the sound gets louder while turning, it is a great indication that the pump is likely causing the noise. While all the engine accessories will change their whine depending on the RPM, only the powering steering pump will change with RPM or the steering wheel.
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Bad Alternator
When an alternator is going bad, it will often start to make a high-pitched whining sound. This will be accompanied by the battery light. If not, then what could be making your Grand Cherokee whine could be something else and not the alternator, although you can’t entirely rule out the alternator
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Serpentine belt
The work of the serpentine belt is to take the crankshaft motion and use it to turn all your accessories. A bad/worn-out serpentine belt can also be the cause of Jeep Grand Cherokee whining noise in front. It causes a high-pitched whine, which is can be heard when you first start the car.
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Water pump
When the water pump goes bad, it will make a squeaking sound. It will often make a deeper whine sound than a bad alternator.
How do you fix a whining noise when accelerating?
Depending on the cause of the whining sounds when speeding up, here is how to fix the issue:
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Low oil levels
Check the oil level and transmission fluid level. If it is low, you have to get it to the level it should be. Use a dipstick to find out the correct level of oil in the engine tank. The dipstick has two labels namely “add” and “full”. If the oil level is below the “add” mark you should refill the tank. If the oil level is between the “add” and “full” labels then there is nothing to worry about.
If you have gotten a synthetic oil change recently and within less than the expected time your Jeep Grand Cherokee has started making whining noises again due to low oil, it is likely there is a leak and will need to be fixed. Look into the steering rack or gear as these are the places where the leak is likely to occur than in the pump.
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Faulty steering
If a loose steering belt is the cause of a whining noise when accelerating, tightening the belt will solve this issue.
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Examine the transmission
Do a thorough transmission check-up when the car starts making transmission whines when accelerating. It could be caused by low transmission fluid level or worn out gears. Refill the fluid to the correct level if it is low.
On the other hand, if you only hear the noise when the vehicle is in motion, there is likely an issue with one or more gears and bearings. Repair or change the gear components if they are damaged.
Can low oil cause a whining noise?
If you hear a loud whining noise when accelerating, the first thing to check is the engine oil. Low level of fluid is the main reason for this problem.
Can the Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission make a winning noise
The transmission could also be what causes the whining noise in Jeep grand Cherokee when accelerate. It may be caused a clogged filter or low fluid. A clogged filter can make whine sounds while it attempts to pass fluid through the filter. The following are other reasons for transmission whines when speeding up:
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Low transmission fluid
Low transmission fluid is the leading cause for whining for both manual and automatic transmissions. This is because when the fluid is too low, the internal components of the transmission are not properly lubricated. As a result, there will be friction between those parts hence the whining sound.
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Worn-out clutch and/or flywheel
For cars with a manual transmission, it is possible to hear whining, grinding and other unusual sounds, if the clutch is worn out and/or the flywheel, needs to be resurfaced.
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Bad throw out bearing
If you are hearing whining noise while the clutch is not engaged, there is a chance it is the throw out bearing. However, you are more likely to hear noise from this bearing while operating the clutch, rather than driving in gear without any pressure on the clutch pedal.
Check this too: How To Make A Jeep Wrangler Ride Smoother
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Bad input shaft bearing
This is an internal bearing within the transmission housing, and it can make a whining sound when it starts to fail.
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Bad wheel bearing
Even though the location of the wheel bearings is on the wheel hub, a whining sound as a result of bad wheel bearings can seem like it is coming from the transmission.