Whine/Noise/High Pitch Arg!

cheshirecat · 05-25-2012, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wackjum

My car just started developing the ECM whine. I thought I was going insane at first until I searched the Internet and this site and discovered it was not just me.

I have a 2009 Touring, Sport, Nav. I have 32,900 miles but my 36 month warranty ran out in March.

It has gotten worse over the past week to the point where I really cannot drive the car without getting a headache. I tried packing the area around the ECM with noise reduction foam and that made a negligible difference.

Does anybody have any suggestions on how I should approach the dealer for a possible goodwill/split cost fix? Any dealers in the Houston, TX area that I should go to? My car was purchased out of state and I do not have any long-time relationship with any Houston dealer.

Just try telling them exactly what you told us. They may goodwill warranty it based on the mileage. Also, don't be afraid to try multiple dealers.

It's an expensive fix but the dealer may get on your side, especially if they can hear it.

wackjum · 06-02-2012, 04:42 PM

Just to update...

I went to one dealer and they refused to do anything because they did not hear the noise.

I went to a second dealer who was recommended by some people and even though they did not hear it, they agreed it was a known issue and ordered an ECM for me. It should be here Monday and they will be installing at that time.

Also, the second dealer told me that the ECM is covered under the 6/60k powertrain warranty.

cheshirecat · 06-14-2012, 04:06 PM

Finally got my ecm changed out. They listed two parts- the first one didn't work out for whatever reason so they had to order a second one. here's the two listed

23710-JB00A ENGINE CONTROL
23710-1EA3B ENGINE CONTROL

and the best part.... no more high pitched whine. now on to the oil consumption...

gbrettin · 08-07-2012, 10:26 AM

I just took my '09 in to the local Nissan Dealer for the ECM whine. I printed most of this thread out and had the service rep read the issue and acknowledge it before they set out on any testing. I'll post back with results.

gbrettin · 08-07-2012, 04:18 PM

I have my Z back in possession. None of the technicians could hear the noise on a 40mi test drive. They ended up doing the right thing and took care of the customer, me. The service manager is going to replace the part under warranty. He is giving me the benefit of the doubt. The dealer will be installing the part when it comes in some time next week.

On a different note... they informed me they have a new GTR waiting for me in the show room for me to buy.

I'm happy with my Z.

gbrettin · 08-21-2012, 08:35 PM

Update:

The dealer installed the part as they said they would and the f_cking annoying whine is no more! Suggestions for future people going through the same issue:

1. Do a ride along with the service tech.
2. Have a different person ride with you if the first person doesn't hear it. They are mechanics and work around loud equipment all day.
3. Use the part number outlined in this thread. (23710-1EA3B ENGINE CONTROL)
4. Print off parts of this thread and show it to the service manager so they can see others actually have the same issue.
5. The part OEM is warrantied up to 80k miles.

Hope that helps someone else.

asdfsammich · 08-21-2012, 08:44 PM

I have an 09 but don't often hear the whine being as I drive with the windows down all the time.

For you guys that had/have the whine, is it only noticeable with the widows up, like it is for me?

Tapatalk & such etc

gbrettin · 08-21-2012, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asdfsammich

I have an 09 but don't often hear the whine being as I drive with the windows down all the time.

For you guys that had/have the whine, is it only noticeable with the widows up, like it is for me?

Tapatalk & such etc

It's a faint mind numbing noise. Some days were louder than others in my car. I kept my music on to drown it out.

Keeping the windows down could probably drown it out pretty well too.

fuct · 08-22-2012, 09:47 AM

i hear it upon start up in my 2010. im not sure if i either get used to it, it dies down, or goes away but after 5 min i cant really hear it.

cheshirecat · 08-22-2012, 12:40 PM

If you hear a high pitched whine on startup, that's usually the fuel pump which is located behind the passenger seat in the cabin partition. If it does make noise, it will usually stop within 5 minutes or so.

The ECU whine will be present at all times that the throttle is applied and the engine rpm is above 1200 or so. I'm not sure if it's linked to rpm or throttle %. The sound is hard to place as it's so high-pitched (12k hz or so if I remember right) but it will be coming from behind the glovebox area.

bucknakedru · 08-24-2012, 09:47 AM

I just had my ECM replaced by the dealer yesterday and everything was fine. This morning the noise is back!!! Several months ago the noise started out real faint. Then I had stereo and speakers installed, then noise was louder as everyone else described. So I took it to the dealer and they replaced it. But why would a new ECM be just as loud??

cheshirecat · 08-24-2012, 11:21 AM

Do you have the paperwork from the previous replacement? I'd like to know the part number of what they replaced. It should be the same as what has been listed in this thread over the last few pages.

I've heard of people getting a replacement ECM that's the old version and not the new, revised version without the whining capacitor.

bucknakedru · 08-26-2012, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

Do you have the paperwork from the previous replacement? I'd like to know the part number of what they replaced. It should be the same as what has been listed in this thread over the last few pages.

I've heard of people getting a replacement ECM that's the old version and not the new, revised version without the whining capacitor.

It ends with 'B'. So I called the dealer on my way home from work and he said to just bring it in.

When I arrived, my original service advisor looked confused and asked why I was there. After I explained that the noise was back he said the tech that works on the 370's was off that day. I told him that I just spoke to someone who said to just bring it in. So to save face I guess, the service advisor took it upon himself to investigate the noise issue as well as two other "advisors" because they had nothing better to do.

So after briefly sitting in the car (in the garage w/windows down), one of the other "advisors" asked to get another 370 and pull it up and see if they could here it in that one to see if it was normal. So they pulled up a brand new 2012, while I explained that to my knowledge it only affected 09's and that either way I cannot tolerate the noise even if it is what they consider 'normal'.

They gave up and I am dropping the car off so the mechanic can look at it. I am also going to tell them again about the part numbers now that I have the exact ones.

bucknakedru · 08-29-2012, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucknakedru

It ends with 'B'. So I called the dealer on my way home from work and he said to just bring it in.

When I arrived, my original service advisor looked confused and asked why I was there. After I explained that the noise was back he said the tech that works on the 370's was off that day. I told him that I just spoke to someone who said to just bring it in. So to save face I guess, the service advisor took it upon himself to investigate the noise issue as well as two other "advisors" because they had nothing better to do.

So after briefly sitting in the car (in the garage w/windows down), one of the other "advisors" asked to get another 370 and pull it up and see if they could here it in that one to see if it was normal. So they pulled up a brand new 2012, while I explained that to my knowledge it only affected 09's and that either way I cannot tolerate the noise even if it is what they consider 'normal'.

They gave up and I am dropping the car off so the mechanic can look at it. I am also going to tell them again about the part numbers now that I have the exact ones.

So the dealer called today and said it was my passenger Polk DB6501 tweeter making the noise!! They showed me the tweeter and then disconnected it and sure enough the noise was gone.

Other than that the tweeter still works and the drivers side is normal. The noise is just as described in this forum. It does not change in pitch or volume it stays constant after start up and makes two or three seperate whining noises just after the engine shuts off.

What would cause this? Also, I thought the ECM part numbers were the big issue. When I told them about the last letter, they said "b" was the revised ECM.

cheshirecat · 08-29-2012, 08:08 AM

23710-1EA3B ENGINE CONTROL is the revised ecm

if you have a whine through the Polk speaker, it could be the speaker itself, the external amp driving the speaker (if you have one), the head unit itself, or a general grounding issue. If it is a grounding issue, however, you will usually either hear a solid hum (not a high pitched whine) that doesn't vary. OR, you can have a high-pitched whine that goes up and down in frequency based on engine RPM.

In either case, I suggest moving this to the audio forum if you can't determine the issue.

08-24-2012, 09:47 AM	#131 (permalink)
bucknakedru Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: chicago Posts: 39 Drives: Silver 370Z Rep Power: 16	I just had my ECM replaced by the dealer yesterday and everything was fine. This morning the noise is back!!! Several months ago the noise started out real faint. Then I had stereo and speakers installed, then noise was louder as everyone else described. So I took it to the dealer and they replaced it. But why would a new ECM be just as loud?? Last edited by bucknakedru; 08-24-2012 at 09:51 AM.

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06-02-2012, 04:42 PM	#122 (permalink)
wackjum Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 89 Drives: 2004 Porsche 911 T Rep Power: 13	Just to update... I went to one dealer and they refused to do anything because they did not hear the noise. I went to a second dealer who was recommended by some people and even though they did not hear it, they agreed it was a known issue and ordered an ECM for me. It should be here Monday and they will be installing at that time. Also, the second dealer told me that the ECM is covered under the 6/60k powertrain warranty.

06-14-2012, 04:06 PM	#123 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 292	Finally got my ecm changed out. They listed two parts- the first one didn't work out for whatever reason so they had to order a second one. here's the two listed 23710-JB00A ENGINE CONTROL 23710-1EA3B ENGINE CONTROL and the best part.... no more high pitched whine. now on to the oil consumption...

08-07-2012, 10:26 AM	#124 (permalink)
gbrettin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 2,281 Drives: Tricycle Rep Power: 589151	I just took my '09 in to the local Nissan Dealer for the ECM whine. I printed most of this thread out and had the service rep read the issue and acknowledge it before they set out on any testing. I'll post back with results.

08-07-2012, 04:18 PM	#125 (permalink)
gbrettin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 2,281 Drives: Tricycle Rep Power: 589151	I have my Z back in possession. None of the technicians could hear the noise on a 40mi test drive. They ended up doing the right thing and took care of the customer, me. The service manager is going to replace the part under warranty. He is giving me the benefit of the doubt. The dealer will be installing the part when it comes in some time next week. On a different note... they informed me they have a new GTR waiting for me in the show room for me to buy. I'm happy with my Z.

08-21-2012, 08:35 PM	#126 (permalink)
gbrettin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 2,281 Drives: Tricycle Rep Power: 589151	Update: The dealer installed the part as they said they would and the f_cking annoying whine is no more! Suggestions for future people going through the same issue: 1. Do a ride along with the service tech. 2. Have a different person ride with you if the first person doesn't hear it. They are mechanics and work around loud equipment all day. 3. Use the part number outlined in this thread. (23710-1EA3B ENGINE CONTROL) 4. Print off parts of this thread and show it to the service manager so they can see others actually have the same issue. 5. The part OEM is warrantied up to 80k miles. Hope that helps someone else.

08-21-2012, 08:44 PM	#127 (permalink)
asdfsammich Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 456 Drives: 09 370Z SR MT Rep Power: 13	I have an 09 but don't often hear the whine being as I drive with the windows down all the time. For you guys that had/have the whine, is it only noticeable with the widows up, like it is for me? Tapatalk & such etc

08-22-2012, 09:47 AM	#129 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	i hear it upon start up in my 2010. im not sure if i either get used to it, it dies down, or goes away but after 5 min i cant really hear it.

08-22-2012, 12:40 PM	#130 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 292	If you hear a high pitched whine on startup, that's usually the fuel pump which is located behind the passenger seat in the cabin partition. If it does make noise, it will usually stop within 5 minutes or so. The ECU whine will be present at all times that the throttle is applied and the engine rpm is above 1200 or so. I'm not sure if it's linked to rpm or throttle %. The sound is hard to place as it's so high-pitched (12k hz or so if I remember right) but it will be coming from behind the glovebox area.

08-24-2012, 11:21 AM	#132 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 292	Do you have the paperwork from the previous replacement? I'd like to know the part number of what they replaced. It should be the same as what has been listed in this thread over the last few pages. I've heard of people getting a replacement ECM that's the old version and not the new, revised version without the whining capacitor.

08-29-2012, 08:08 AM	#135 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 292	23710-1EA3B ENGINE CONTROL is the revised ecm if you have a whine through the Polk speaker, it could be the speaker itself, the external amp driving the speaker (if you have one), the head unit itself, or a general grounding issue. If it is a grounding issue, however, you will usually either hear a solid hum (not a high pitched whine) that doesn't vary. OR, you can have a high-pitched whine that goes up and down in frequency based on engine RPM. In either case, I suggest moving this to the audio forum if you can't determine the issue.