What makes the vehicle whine when starting the car?

Tiny
GREGMANKUS
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 GMC ENVOY
  • 77,000 MILES
My 2005 GMC Envoy makes a long whining noise every time I start it. It sounds much like an air plane and goes up in pitch then comes down. This lasts for about 60 seconds after starting then it's fine. Usuaally does this one time a day when first starting or if left for more than 3 hours without driving. Any suggestions? Everyything checks out fine, no check engine lights, oil is full and changed and gauges are all fine.
Any help would be appreciated!
Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 10:55 PM

26 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Can you remove the serpentine belt and start the engine to see if the noise is still there? Here is guide to help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-serpentine-belt
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 10:58 PM
Tiny
GREGMANKUS
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  • 5 POSTS
Belt was changed at 65,000 miles with new water pump. When belt is off, whine still exists at start up.
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-2
Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 11:05 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
This would really need an oinion of a pro who could hear it. You could check to make sure all your vacuum lines are ok and not soft or have holes in it. That is abot the only thingi can think of to cause a whine. If it does it with belt disconnected then that eliminates the alternator, a/c and a few other things. You could check your torque converter bolts to make sure they are tight. But really can't think of much.
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 11:13 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Oh check your air ducts going to throttle pbody for holes as well as not being on right.
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 11:14 PM
Tiny
GREGMANKUS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
We ruled out the starter and any engine issues. When we started the vehicle then shut it off, stopping all starter and flywheel components, the whining noise continued similar to shutting a shop vac or other similar appliance. The engine was totally off and the whining continued to whine down like an airplane would. Does the envoy have a smog pump or electric vac motor that may cause this? This is the only idea we can think of after ruling out the other solutions? If the motor is off. It has to be some kind of vacuum related issue? Any thoughts? Your help is appreciated!
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Saturday, August 11th, 2012 AT 3:12 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If it's a 6 cyl it does if it's a V8 it doesn't it should be on upper right side of engine. That wil be the solenoid. It might be teh evap cannister purge solenoid which is on the lower left side of engine as well.
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Saturday, August 11th, 2012 AT 3:26 PM
Tiny
GREGMANKUS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Anyone have a suggestion? Something is not right and can't pin point it?
Thanks
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Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
The only other possible thing I can think of is the fan making the noise as it is electrically controlled on this model along with a belt. That is about it, it is extremely hard for us to try to diagnose noises due to not being able to hear them as well as so many noises it could be.
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Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 6:23 PM
Tiny
GREGMANKUS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The issue is fixed. It was the smog pump making all the whinning noises.
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+6
Thursday, August 16th, 2012 AT 11:21 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help

Cheers
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Thursday, August 16th, 2012 AT 1:07 PM
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2005 GMC ENVOY
  • 107,532 MILES
We replaced idler pulley and it made the whining sound end, however, while idling today, it died. Restarted, but was wandering if it just needed to be ran awhile to get back to the way it was? Thanks.
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Saturday, December 1st, 2018 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Unless battery was disconnected, replacing the belt/pulley shouldn't effect the idle. Just my opinion.
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Saturday, December 1st, 2018 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
VETTEDREAM72
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2007 GMC ENVOY
  • 89,000 MILES
I have replaced my alternator 3 times trying to get rid of the annoying whining sound. I have used original GMC alternator, after-market alternator and an "top of the line" alternator. They all whine. Does the manufacturers just not make good bindings for these alternators?
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Saturday, December 1st, 2018 AT 12:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Check that the belt tension is correct, if it is a serpentine belt, the auto tensioner may be faulty and not tensioning the belt correctly.
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Saturday, December 1st, 2018 AT 12:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
VETTEDREAM72
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Brand new belt and tensioner. The tensioner is fine. Any other ideas?
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Saturday, December 1st, 2018 AT 12:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Check all pulleys and belt alignment, does the alt noise increase with load, i.E, heater blower on and headlights on high?
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Saturday, December 1st, 2018 AT 12:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Are we talking about an electrical whine that can be heard through the radio or a mechanical rumbling heard in the engine compartment?
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Saturday, December 1st, 2018 AT 12:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MAYNARDMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Check for broken or missing ground straps
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Saturday, December 1st, 2018 AT 12:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAZMINE10
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2008 GMC ENVOY
  • 64,000 MILES
Changed the idler pully. Stills whines loudly. Whines when started continues to whine louder when excelerated doesn't seem to effect the operation of vehicle machanic said was the idler pully. We installed a new one. Nothing changed. Only driven by one person, if u could give me a hint as to what to try, I am currently laid off and can not afford to tAke it to a dealer, I never have problems with this vehicle. Always reliable and even with the loud whine it still runs perfect' what ever info you could send would be appreciated
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Saturday, December 1st, 2018 AT 12:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
First thing I would do is remove the belt and run the motor to see if the noise is gone. If it is, then hand spin all pulleys to see where the noise comes up.

Roy
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Saturday, December 1st, 2018 AT 12:10 PM (Merged)

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