High pitch noise coming from passenger side

Roo · 06-18-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bits

Holy crap. I was talking to my dealer about this EXACT same problem yesterday. Two different mechanics rode with me in my car, and neither of them could hear it. They didn't dispute the noise (they admitted that their hearing could just be poor at that freq), but neither did they have an answer.

I left saying I'd investigate on the message boards today, but that I'd be in touch.

It sounds like a whine typical of a bad voltage regulator or ground, but unlike that it doesn't change frequency with the engine RPM. It disappears when the car is stopped and idling. If you rev the motor (while stopped), the sound returns. But if you let off on the gas during this rev the sound will stop temporarily. The noise is independent of the radio (on/off), and seems to come from the passenger side, I presume the passenger speaker. It's a single frequency, probably 5k-10k Hz, not too loud. Can be very irritating in stop and go traffic! I don't remember when I first noticed the noise, but I want to say a couple weeks ago. I've had my car for 4 months, and it has 1000 miles.

The next step will be to disconnect that speaker and verify the source. Might also be good to find someone at the dealer who can hear that damn freq.

Did you have any problems finding someone at the dealer to verify the noise?

I was going to throw in an aftermarket DD Nav and speakers, and this might be a good excuse. I highly suspect it's just the stereo since it's only the passenger speaker. I'd think that if it was a general electrical problem, it wouldn't localize to one of the front speakers. You would hear the wine in both.

It is not the speaker, if you put your head up under the glove box you can hear it. If you put your ear next to the speaker you hear it from the other ear.

Ours is a noise you cannot miss, anyone who has been in our car ask what that sound is and that its giving them a headache. Also the techs at Nissan heard the sounds and documented that they heard it.

But yes it is the same way, it happens when you raise the RPMs, either while driving or in neutral.

2bits · 06-18-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roo

It is not the speaker, if you put your head up under the glove box you can hear it. If you put your ear next to the speaker you hear it from the other ear.

Ours is a noise you cannot miss, anyone who has been in our car ask what that sound is and that its giving them a headache. Also the techs at Nissan heard the sounds and documented that they heard it.

But yes it is the same way, it happens when you raise the RPMs, either while driving or in neutral.

I'll take your word for it. I haven't put my ear to the speaker, so I couldn't be sure. Sounds like your noise is louder than mine.

Definitely keep us updated.

2bits · 06-18-2009, 04:32 PM

Roo, do you have a Nissan contact (the guy who flew in?) I can get from you who is familiar with the problem? Nissan isn't going to connect the dots on their own, so I'd like to give them a little push. Thanks!

Roo · 06-18-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bits

Roo, do you have a Nissan contact (the guy who flew in?) I can get from you who is familiar with the problem? Nissan isn't going to connect the dots on their own, so I'd like to give them a little push. Thanks!

I'll get it and PM it to you. If others are having this issue then it needs to be resolved. Do you listen to your radio loud? Mine is heard over my radio (since I listen to talk radio, no music) unless themusic is LOUD.

jpit · 06-18-2009, 04:47 PM

I hear a high pitched whine with the car not running but the ignition switch on. I have not been able to isolate it but I don't hear it when I am driving.

NRGSwing · 06-18-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpit

I hear a high pitched whine with the car not running but the ignition switch on. I have not been able to isolate it but I don't hear it when I am driving.

Not to hijack, but I have this, too. Haven't taken the time yet to try and track it down.

Roo · 06-18-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpit

I hear a high pitched whine with the car not running but the ignition switch on. I have not been able to isolate it but I don't hear it when I am driving.

So you hear a noise when it is in ACC?

jpit · 06-18-2009, 07:34 PM

I don't have any idea if the high pitched whine I am getting is related to this thread. Can someone duplicate this condition (6 speed, touring)and tell me if you hear anything? Ignition switch on (car not running and not ACC) and transmission in gear, open the hood and listen for the whine. Interestingly when the transmission is put into neutral the whine stops. Thanks for any help.

2bits · 06-18-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roo

I'll get it and PM it to you. If others are having this issue then it needs to be resolved. Do you listen to your radio loud? Mine is heard over my radio (since I listen to talk radio, no music) unless themusic is LOUD.

I suppose if I turned up the radio enough I might not notice it, but not at any reasonable volume. The tone isn't loud itself, but being a single piercing frequency, it's hard to ignore.

[edit]
BTW, I just confirmed my noise is also under the glove compartment. If you put your ear by the cigarette lighter in the passenger footwell, it's very very noticeable. Even a deaf mechanic should be able to hear it if I direct them to that spot. Service appointment scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm.

Roo · 06-18-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bits

BTW, I just confirmed my noise is also under the glove compartment. If you put your ear by the cigarette lighter in the passenger footwell, it's very very noticeable. Even a deaf mechanic should be able to hear it if I direct them to that spot. Service appointment scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm.

I am going to find the fuse when I get for that and pull it, if it shuts off then they will really help diagnose the problem.

CCCLXXZ · 06-18-2009, 05:38 PM

Just a speculation, but have you considered an exhaust leak from the header or exhaust (cat)? Typically exhaust leaks are rpm dependent and can have a high pitch noise which get louder as a greater volume of exhaust travels through the system. Based on the service manual, nissan has metering equipment for diagnosing unknown sounds from the chassis and related.

It may well be electrically related, but worth considering any other variables regarding rpm dependent issues.

2bits · 06-18-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCCLXXZ

Just a speculation, but have you considered an exhaust leak from the header or exhaust (cat)? Typically exhaust leaks are rpm dependent and can have a high pitch noise which get louder as a greater volume of exhaust travels through the system. Based on the service manual, nissan has metering equipment for diagnosing unknown sounds from the chassis and related.

It may well be electrically related, but worth considering any other variables regarding rpm dependent issues.

The input is appreciated, but I'm 99.99% sure it's an electronic noise. The volume doesn't increase or change with RPM. It's completely an on/off problem. Also, I would expect the noise to be loudest outside the vehicle if it had anything to do with the header/exhaust, but instead it's coming from a specific location under the dash where there are plenty of electronic bits.

Roo · 06-18-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCCLXXZ

Just a speculation, but have you considered an exhaust leak from the header or exhaust (cat)? Typically exhaust leaks are rpm dependent and can have a high pitch noise which get louder as a greater volume of exhaust travels through the system. Based on the service manual, nissan has metering equipment for diagnosing unknown sounds from the chassis and related.

It may well be electrically related, but worth considering any other variables regarding rpm dependent issues.

Good idea but the noise does not increase or decrease with RPMs. If it is idling there is no noise, if you raise the RPM 1 rpm the noise starts and stays at that level throughout whatever RPM your in.

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06-18-2009, 04:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
2bits Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 118 Drives: 09 370Z Blk Sp 7AT Rep Power: 17	Roo, do you have a Nissan contact (the guy who flew in?) I can get from you who is familiar with the problem? Nissan isn't going to connect the dots on their own, so I'd like to give them a little push. Thanks!

06-18-2009, 04:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
jpit Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 440 Drives: 370Z Tour MT w/Spt Rep Power: 17	I hear a high pitched whine with the car not running but the ignition switch on. I have not been able to isolate it but I don't hear it when I am driving.

06-18-2009, 07:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
jpit Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 440 Drives: 370Z Tour MT w/Spt Rep Power: 17	I don't have any idea if the high pitched whine I am getting is related to this thread. Can someone duplicate this condition (6 speed, touring)and tell me if you hear anything? Ignition switch on (car not running and not ACC) and transmission in gear, open the hood and listen for the whine. Interestingly when the transmission is put into neutral the whine stops. Thanks for any help.

06-18-2009, 05:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
CCCLXXZ Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 164 Drives: T/S/MB/6 370z Rep Power: 402	Just a speculation, but have you considered an exhaust leak from the header or exhaust (cat)? Typically exhaust leaks are rpm dependent and can have a high pitch noise which get louder as a greater volume of exhaust travels through the system. Based on the service manual, nissan has metering equipment for diagnosing unknown sounds from the chassis and related. It may well be electrically related, but worth considering any other variables regarding rpm dependent issues.