I searched around but couldn't find anything that really was helpful.

I recently started getting a whine from the drivers side of the engine bay. It's subtle but noticeable. Checked belts, seemed good (tightness, wear). Timing and accessory belts were changed about 20k miles ago. The whine comes in around 2000RPM and slowly fades away around 4-5k.

Also, when I shut down my car, there is the sound of something winding down and then a clunk where it stops. I had a person stand and listen and they say it sounds like its coming from the A/C compressor. Obviously I haven't been running my A/C.
Are these related?
And, I don't know if it's just in my head (or the fact that my winter tires are getting very worn) but I seem to have looser steering than before. Could this be related to the power steering pump itself?

There's a lot of things it could be, and I was wondering if anyone can help me narrow it down...

 

Sounds like Autotensioner getting ready to fail Or your low on power streering fluid

 

a failing auto tensioner or low power steering are a bit of a leap from each other dont you think?

Could be the AC compressor getting ready to crap out.

Id try and locate the exact source of the noise before pulling things apart. Id say pull the belt but i know on 5th gens the ac and alternator belt are one in the same.

 

I just said whatever came to mind. Could be A number of things ? These kinda questions are hard to answer on the internet. Besides he said that he hasn't ran his AC and if i remember correctly the pulley on the compressor free spins until the AC is turned on.

 

failing auto tensioners make more of a bag of rocks sound then a whine. Right at about 2200-2600 RPMs it will sound like **** grinding together.


Whining is usually caused by belts being to tight or being worn.

 

most of the time alternators whine before ac compressors and ps pumps.....but pop the hood and figure out what it is

looser steering, check the fluid, and outer and inner tie rods on both sides.....you could have a bad joint....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mgags7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">most of the time alternators whine before ac compressors and ps pumps.....but pop the hood and figure out what it is

looser steering, check the fluid, and outer and inner tie rods on both sides.....you could have a bad joint....</TD></TR></TABLE>

My car has been slow to start several times over the winter, but I always assumed it was just the battery. Perhaps it is the alternator. I'm gonna have that checked...

Checked fluid, that's full. Tie rods are probably the suspect. Slightly off topic, I know I need new axles too...