I have been working in the automotive industry for more than 15 years. Weve outlined the most common reasons why a humming noise in your car gets louder with speed. If the noise changes going one way or the other, it point towards a bearing. Driving a car that makes noise from the engine is a nuisance. To clean the catalytic converter with sodium hydroxide, you'll first need to remove it from the vehicle. In addition, a damaged bearing is sometimes difficult to remove. Wear in these components will cause a humming noise as theyre moving. If this piece is damaged, then it is possible to hear a hum under the car. You can have someone rev the engine for you as you check under the car. 2010-2012 Chevrolet Camaro. If your Chevy Sonic is suffering from uneven tire wear, you should be able to pick up the noise while driving around 30 MPH with it getting louder as you accelerate. In any case, examine the condition of your belt and its tension. Auto Noises: My Car is Making a Humming Sound If the sound changes at the same time, it makes sense to check the correct placement of the hoses, they should not bend. LOUD VIBRATION NOISE FIXED! Grinding or low-pitched humming sounds can be a sign of wear and failing parts. These components all move or spin while youre driving. Like in the case of a damaged wheel bearing and low transmission oil level, the sound is louder. Run your hand along the tread. There are usual noises that a car is expected to make. Bad wheel bearings and bad tires have a similar sound. It's when there is no play and the wheel bearing is bad that it is harder to diagnose. 15 causes of humming noise in the car In most cases, leaking is the leading cause of low transmission fluid levels. Why Does My Car Make Noise When Turning My Steering Wheel? Here is an excellent page with way more info on the subject. Repetitive squeaking indicates the belt is not running true, and prolonged squealing means that the belt is overheating. If your Sonic has a worn wheel bearing, the sound will be slightly more high-pitched than a tire issue (you can play that sound below). Hum in a CV joint can appear because: Humming noise can also be caused by a failing input shaft bearing located in the transmission, so the noise will be under the car, the higher the speed, the louder the hum. Alexanders Import Auto Repair This is particularly true when you first start the vehicle. It picks up at the exact point where you can see what cupped tread looks like. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Often you can hear the hum when starting the car after when cold because the oil thickens at low temperatures. If a curve is then also driven through, axial forces occur. Can you tell if the noise is coming from the front or rear? If you notice that the tires in your Sonic are wearing unevenly, for example losing more tread on the inside, this can also be related to a bad wheel bearing since it can disturb the alignment of the vehicle. Transmission gasket pan damage or failure. 2007-2010 Pontiac G5. Signs and Sounds of Transmission Issues - BlueDevil Products I have a 2012 Chevy Sonic that makes a rapid and repetitive "beeping" type sound that only occurs when turning right. If your Chevy Sonic is experiencing a whining noise, its is often going to be caused by something in the engine compartment. Check the fluid level and fill it back up to the factory fill line. If a curve is then also driven through, axial forces occur. CV Joint Noise When Driving Straight - Causes and Fixes Over time, the catalytic converter can become damaged, overheated, or even have rust. A whining sound when accelerating is almost always caused by a bad accessory attached to your Sonics engine. 2014 1.4 L turbo Chevy sonic squeaky squealing obnoxious sound diagnosis. Significant CV joint wear due to natural causes such as aging, and also caused by aggressive driving style. Feb 27, 2023. If you experience this issue check the wheel bearing first because this is the most common cause. Impacts of all kinds are much more damaging to bearings than the high loads. Required fields are marked *. You can tell them apart in most cases by doing this simple test on your Chevy Sonic: If you suspect a bad wheel bearing, jack your Sonic up and free-turn each wheel. Everything I read says check for play in the wheel from 12 to 6 o'clock, any other suggestions to find which wheel bearing it might be, or anything else to check? Failure to install the bearings as per the manufacturers instructions will likely cause problems. It sounds like a truck, idling on the street in front your house. If you frequently drive your Sonic on bad roads with lots of potholes, drive over curbs with force or drive quickly around corners, the service life of the wheel bearings is significantly reduced. The humming noise can also appear in the hoses of the power steering hoses because of their improper placement, and this symptom can be heard when the engine is idle. Knowing where and when the noise happens can make quick work of diagnosing a whining noise coming from the Chevy Sonic. So, after starting the car you will hear the hum for 2-3 minutes because the pump tries to pump thick liquid. It can tell you a lot about the health of your transmission. Why Does My AC Rattle When I Turn It On? - YourMechanic The first step to fixing the problem is identifying whats causing the humming noise. If you want to extend the differential life, you should regularly service it. Possible reasons for hum noise in the car. We've also provided an audio sample of each issue to help determine what's causing the hum. Low transmission fluid in the engine can cause humming noises when driving. I can really hear it well when I let go of the gas since the engine quiets down. Wiggle the steering wheel back and forth. If when you press the gas pedal a humming noise is heard, then, most likely, the release bearing is damaged and needs to be replaced. Generations 5 & 6 Malibu, Years 1997- 2007, Gen 5 & 6 Problems/Service Issues/Troubleshooting. It had what. Whining when starting can be frustrating to diagnose since you constantly have to start and restart your Chevy Sonic to duplicate the conditions that caused the sound to begin with. Bad Struts Noise How Long Can You Drive With Bad Struts? Going faster, the thump duration is shorter.) In general, it is advisable to change the second bearing on the same axle even if there is only one defective wheel bearing in your Chevy Sonic. It leads to poor performance of the engine, and it may eventually shut down. Even when cornering, you may feel the handling of the vehicle a bit off. The noise increases when driving at high speed while engaging in turns. If your serpentine belt looks cracked or glazed, replacing it is cheap and easy. Catalytic convertors overheat due to the exhaust systems excessive amount of unburned fuel or gasses. It can be hard to determine whether the humming sounds are caused by tire or wheel bearings. The most common sources of manual transmission noises include: Low fluid level. Next, well bring the car into the shop and elevate the entire car. It would be best if you did not overlook the humming noises coming from the engine. Shop/Dealer Price. Chevy Sonic bad wheel bearings symptoms, causes and diagnosis Noises that are related to the drive belt will often get louder with higher RPMs but are not affected by vehicle speed. I gained a lot of experience in this field and I like to share important tips and tricks. The power steering pump is a common reason your Chevy Sonic might whine when accelerating. Changing the bearing assembly looks fairly straightforward, but I want to make sure that this is actually the problem. Mechanic's Assistant: Is it just the ABS light? If you hear gears grinding while shifting a manual transmission, you may have a problem . Did the sound change as you moved the wheel? But, you can quickly know by steering the wheel to either side, like when changing lanes. A defective wheel bearing is a very common reason your Sonic will make a humming noise while driving. Using a bad lubricant or due to lack of lubrication. Theres more on how to diagnose a bad serpentine belt in the other serpentine belt section of this article. Depending on the car, they may not require attention for more than 100,000 miles. Prices may vary depending on your location. I just bought a 2006 quad cab chevy silverado 1500 with 39500 miles. But its more likely your Chevy Sonic has a suspension problem. Or, you can watch the video below. Thanks for letting us know how you made out. Humming noise is a symptom of an underlying problem with your Sonic, which must be resolved urgently for your safety and driving comfort. They work in active suspension systems, as well as other systems that use a hydraulic drive. Drive your car at the slowest speed it takes to reproduce the humming noise. And though the leak could be coming from other car fluids, you may know if the low transmission fluid is the cause through these symptoms: Having low transmission fluid can be caused by: If the issue is with the torque converter or a damaged transmission gasket, you should replace them with new ones. With that in mind, this page is divided by when you hear the whining noise and common causes under those conditions. You should also ensure youre using the correct type of oil. Ma Chevrolet Sonic makes whining noise when I accelerate: Weve outlined the most common reasons why a humming noise in your car gets louder with speed. Therefore, the internal components must be lubricated with lubricants such as grease or oil to prevent overheating. I've raised the hood and listened carefully to try to track it down and I can't tell exactly where it's coming from. Chevy Sonic makes humming noise at high speeds - causes and how to fix it However you should not hurry in replacing the bearings as sometimes the symptoms can be caused by something else, for example tire cupping (type of uneven wear) can also cause humming noise inside the cabin. Wheel bearings in Chevy Sonic are one of the most crucial and stressed components. The sound could almost be described as barking. Itll be deeper than the sound of a worn serpentine belt sounds. If it didnt change, its likely a tire-related problem. However these noises can also occur due to faults in suspension or steering system components, therefore you should consider a bad wheel bearing if the vehicle presents other system as well, like humming or grinding noise and play in the wheel. This is achieved with a grease filling that ensures adequate lubrication of the rolling elements over the entire service life of the wheel bearing. The first thing to assess is where the noise is coming from. The most common symptoms of a bad wheel bearing in Chevy Sonic are grinding or humming noise, knocking or clunking noise when cornering, shaking steering wheel, body vibration, uneven or abnormal tire wear, play in wheel, and vehicle pulls to one side when driving in a straight line. Difficulty shifting gears. Chevy Sonic Humming Noise Getting Louder With Speed: How to Fix Or does it not change with engine speed? It can be assumed that both bearings were subjected to roughly the same stress and that the failure of the second bearing is imminent. Air escaping through a leak can also cause a distinct "humming" noise. Therefore, all wheel bearings eventually fail. Uncategorized 97 it's a, I have a 2007 h3 hummer base model. 6 days ago In the event of emergency braking, this has a negative effect on the braking distance and the steerability of the vehicle. You can hear it when you're outside, but it. In his second decade of reviewing cars and analyzing tools, Patrick is all set to give you convincing, reliable, and the latest information regarding whats happening in the automotive industry. Home Troubleshooting Chevy Sonic makes humming noise at high speeds causes and how to fix it. Start by driving a few miles on the highway, and a few miles around town with the radio off and no one else in the car. Depending on the car, they may not require attention for more than 100,000 miles. You can test all four wheel bearings when the car is stationary. Sometimes it can take longer if the wheel hub is stuck, it then requires a lot of hammering or use of different tools and techniques to remove the hub. Save Share Reply Quote 1 - 5 of 5 Posts BadBowtie Registered Joined Apr 18, 2015 159 Posts Gear slippage means the gears will not engage and accelerate properly. Grinding or Humming. The common causes of uneven tire wear are unbalanced wheels, improper wheel alignment, overinflated or underinflated tires, and worn suspension or steering parts. If your Sonic has a worn wheel bearing, the sound will be slightly more high-pitched than a tire issue (you can play that sound below). Due to the complexity and sheer manual labor, it is not recommended as a DIY project. 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The mystery noise that says a lot about modern life Unbalanced wheels will vibrate when driving. If the alternator is not working properly this could also cause humming noise. A bent or wobbling pulley can cause the serpentine belt to make noise. Clunking or rattling. Youre looking to change your Sonics load balance from one side to the other. SEE, I think it's a 15 pin plug and two wires change on the plug fro 95 to. You'll need to visit your local tyre centre to get this fixed. But the procedure is very similar on these models! Because it is heated in motion, it can stick, and this is caused by driving like this for a longer time. Noises that are only audible at highway speeds may change when youre switching lanes or making a long, sweeping turn. Some customers may comment on a clunk or thump noise coming from the front suspension while driving over . These tires may use inferior materials (steel belts, which are less supportive of the tread, rubber which is more prone to uneven wear, etc.) We have a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic! The most common causes for humming noise in Chevy Sonic at high speeds are bad wheel bearing, uneven tire wear and using tires with large tread blocks. Weve also provided an audio sample of each issue to help determine whats causing the hum. Glad I posted here, for some reason it didn't even dawn on me that they were covered under the power train warranty. If that is the case you may want to contact the dealer and find out. Show example Chevrolet Sonic Noise from engine or exhaust Inspection prices Your car's engine makes quite a racket. However, this technique requires some experience and a practiced grip. This video is part of a series of videos heres the playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqm72j2KoMXBFtcnGZ9-H2M02QJt2MixGIt had what sounded like a squealing belt noise coming from engine. 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Any thoughts or advices? Take a look behind the wheels. Been burned doing that but it works much more often than not. Other factors can also contribute to premature bearing failure on your Sonic, like driving with unbalanced tires or poor wheel alignment. Theyre generally normal wear items that will wear as the car ages. We always let you know what the repair costs will be before proceeding with the repair. When the wheel bearing rotates, there is high friction. If the cupping is on the outside tread, it still could be an alignment issue. If one sounds gritty, that wheel bearing will likely need replacing. These contaminants circulate throughout the grease and between the races and the bearings accelerating the wear rate. If you have a rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive car then the humming noise can be caused by a worn-out rear axle reducer, especially if the noise is heard from the back of the car. Patrick started his love affair with cars in his childhood. SOLVED! Replacing a single wheel bearing of Sonic typically takes 1 to 2 hours for an experienced mechanic. If the transmission fluid is leaking, you will notice a red fluid with a slippery consistency under your car. A rare case of humming noise, especially at certain engine RPM can be caused by the fact that the exhaust pipe is not fixed in its place, and will touch other car elements. 2010-2012 GMC Terrain. Rotated both front tires to rear Inspected the tires while rotating and saw nothing out of ordinary The one good thing to always stay on top of is normal scheduled maintenance. It takes away the enjoyment of driving your pride possession. A damaged alternator means that the normal voltage will not be maintained in the cars electrical system. The most common sign of bad wheel bearing is grinding or humming noise in the cabin from the direction of the affected wheel. Estimate. Balancing corrects any vibration before the tires go on the vehicle. RECALLS! Since the gear train has not been engaged in drive, it rules out all the other components. We can expect some interesting, holistic, and pleasurable blogs with his flair for writing and his love for cars. Tires that are cupped or scalloped have uneven tread wear across the tire. Its not a breakdown risk, but you can still end up stranded if the wheel bearing or suspension component causing the hum fails. Usually only happens when your Sonic is in gear. Your transmission is responsible for making your car move - it transfers the power from the engine to the wheels. Off-road and snow tread tires are notorious for making a loud humming sound. 2 Views. High pitched humming after engine shutdown - Chevrolet Cruze Forums These vibrations intensify when you slow down or when you accelerate. There are also a lot of moving parts that need to be removed and then properly reinstalled to complete the task. Humming noise front end | Chevy Equinox Forum The catalytic converter is located in the exhaust system and converts pollutants and toxic gases into less toxic gases. If it gets too low on fluid, itll whine a lot. Loud humming increases with speed, sounds like a wheel Heres more from Atlantic Motor car on cupping. However, how soon they fail depends on driving habits. Unplugging the alternator from the wiring harness should stop the noise. One way to do this is by disconnecting the car battery for about 15 minutes. Brakes make a crunching or thumping noise when pressed when I start driving and takes a while to stop. The following suspension issues usually cause cupping: If you find cupping on the inside tread of your Sonics tire, suspect an issue with the wheel alignment. 3. Threw up a couple codes and no water pump wasnt the problem. Had transmission rebuilt (Pro).My problem is that when it gets around 35, 8L90E Specs, Performance, and Identification, TH400 Transmission Specs, ID, and Common Problems, Chevy Silverado Humming Noise Getting Louder With Speed: How to Fix, Chevy Spark Humming Noise Getting Louder With Speed: How to Fix, Mazda 6 P0320: Meaning, Causes, & Diagnosis, Bad wheel bearings, tires, alignment, missing wheel weight(s), None, but bad suspension components can be dangerous. Thump Noise From Front Suspension: GM - Brake & Front End But if the seals fail, water and dirt can enter inside the wheel bearing and contaminate the lubricant. You can do this by using a dipstick. They cause the wheels to turn easily and at the same time absorb high radial and axial forces. Chevy Cruze 14 1LT chirping noise | Chevrolet Cruze Forums admin The wear of the rear axle reducer can be caused by a low oil level . Less common cause is failing transmission. In order to locate and diagnose links that are loose, you can hoist your car or use a jack to lift it. Why Do Blower Motors Fail? Or, you may lose some functionality such as the power steering if the power steering pump fails, or air conditioning if the compressor fails. In many cases, however, the noise builds up after a short time often after a few hundred miles. This is not only the cause of discomfort for the driver and passengers but also the cause of the hum. The faster you drive your Sonic, the louder the humming noise gets. To get out of this situation, you just need to replace the winter tires with summer tires. Also, check out for leakage and tire air pressure. Checking this issue is easy, you just have to shift gear to neutral while driving, if the humming noise disappears, then the input shaft bearing is damaged and you should replace it at a car workshop because its a hard operation. Uneven tire wear can also happen if youve installed cheap brand tires in your Sonic. See the wheel weight above? 7 /8. Symptoms Grinding or humming noise If your car tires are unbalanced, the strain you put on the wheel bearings will take a toll on them. These sounds become louder when accelerating. It helps provide additional brake assist during low engine rpm. 2011 Malibu LTZ 3.6L V6 Red Jewel Tintcoat. The humming sounds coming from your car could indicate a failing differential. The drivetrain includes the transmission, drive axles, carrier bearings, and wheel bearings. A noise you hear at idle and a noise you hear only while driving are two very different problems. Worn or failing synchronizer. In any case, it is advisable for laypersons to visit a workshop. 2. It may also be accompanied by the battery light, depending on whether or not it is putting out the proper voltage. This could be a. When these parts wear they will make noise. Here are some other things that can cause noise while at speed: You can do a few simple tests to figure out what is causing a humming noise while driving at high speed in your Chevy Sonic. You can usually tell if a wheel weight fell off. If your exhaust manifold gasket is damaged or the oxygen sensor is loose, the noises tend to go away when the engine warms up. I remember it the exact same way. Thats a great indication that it is probably the power steering pump making noise. Once a good ground is restored, it should go away. Here's what I have done so far but the noise is still there. If the bearing from the water pump is worn out this will trigger a hum in the engine compartment. Tire cupping or scalloping is a type of uneven wear that is known to cause humming noise at high speeds, and is often mistaken for a bad wheel bearing. None of these components fail due to any fault of the driver. Software glitch. There is an electric vacuum pump mounted to the firewall just below the brake booster. That is RIDICULOUS, Cheryl. Since 2008 we have transformed into an informational portal that provides technical information based on personal experience, as well as trust resources (owner's manuals). Noise still therewater pump or other belt driven componentloose belt tensioner, lift belt off any pully so it hangs free from the crankshaft pulley and start enginenoise gone? It puts you in danger since it is prone to cause an accident. You can remedy axle seal failure by pulling out the damaged seal using a seal puller and replacing it. Saved me some cash for sure. Heres more from Atlantic Motor car on cupping. Low Transmission Fluid Low transmission fluid in the engine can cause humming noises when driving.