Reduced engine power and whining sound

MKC22-MICKEAL

MEMBER
2006 CHEVROLET HHR
2.2L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
270,000 MILES

So, I am driving down the highway there is a whining sound coming from the engine and the whine is very constant. The whine gets louder as the engine gets faster. But as the engine slows down so does the whine in the engine. I have an older mechanic that doesn't know lot about electronic assisted vehicles and he can't explain the noise nor the reduced power. Also the reduced power started when the noise did and the noise is not always there so there for I don't always have reduced engine power.

5 Replies

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

A vehicle usually goes to reduced power or 'limp mode' to protect engine or transmission components.
Typically a whining noise comes from the transmission.
Now, do you have your check engine light on?
If so you need to get it scanned and see what are the trouble codes.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

https://youtu.be/vMwTzURWXmk

Here is a article that explains limp mode in more details:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/reduced-power-limp-mode

Please let me know what/if are the trouble codes.

Thank you.

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Sunday, August 1st, 2021 AT 5:21 PM

MKC22-MICKEAL

MEMBER
3 POSTS

There is no check engine codes related to the problem. I have a scan tool myself. And typically if my hhr goes into "limp mode" it displays the message on my dash where my odometer is. I have had it displayed once but it was when I was cleaning my throttle body and after I reinstalled it, it went into limp mode until I reset my computer.

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Sunday, August 1st, 2021 AT 5:25 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi,

It has been a couple of days since you were contacted. Have you made any more progress? Also, is the noise (whining) loud enough for you to record and upload for us to hear?

Let us know.

Joe

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Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021 AT 10:52 PM

MKC22-MICKEAL

MEMBER
3 POSTS

No, I haven't made any more progress. Seeing how the vehicle is not throwing any codes and I'm not having drivability problems I use this vehicle to get to work about 2 hours worth of driving everyday driving the morning it drives normally but on my way home is when I have the whining noise. I've posted 2 videos one with the whining noise and lower engine power and one without. But I've also noticed that since the whining noise has started I've been only getting around 22 MPG when I use to get around 28 to 30 MPG.

Videos (Click to make bigger)

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Friday, August 6th, 2021 AT 11:58 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

There does not need to have any codes for a mechanical issue. This is not an electronic issue, it is mechanical.

This could be a bearing related to the drive belt or something driven by the drive belt.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-serpentine-belt

It does sound like it is coming from the engine and not anywhere else.

I would start by removing the drive belt and spin all the driven pulleys to see if any make noise.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-serpentine-belt-works

Roy