I realize this will be difficult to assess what the problem is....but I figure I'd ask anyway.

My 98 Integra LS has started making a strange sound when going in reverse. I've been driving it for 3 years now and I know it's not the usual sound you hear when I put the car in reverse. At first I thought it was something with the reverse gear, but it makes the sound even when it is at neutral and rolling backwards (like going a hill).

I'll try to explain the sound as best I can. It seems to come from the front. The beginning of the sound starts out with slight hiss that you can barely hear, but it's there. Then this is followed by a whining sound --- kinda like the car trying to move with the e-brake engaged. This sound comes periodically on and off and it seems to come only when the car is moving backwards on an incline. It doesn't make the sound at all when going forward and I don't feel any hesistation in my car's pickup speed.

I have no idea what is causing it. My car has 60k miles on it. I had a valve adjustment recently done on it. No brake service has ever been done on it. Recently, the Acura mechanic said my throwout bearing needs to be replaced...not sure if this is what's causing the sound. Like I said, the sound is present even when it's at neutral. One more note, my e-brake light sometimes comes on and off even when the e-brake is properly disengaged. I haven't gotten it fixed yet since I figure it's something electrical or matter of adjusting the cable. Like I mentioned earlier, the sound sounds like the wheels moving with the e-brake engaged. But I checked that and it's completely down, also it doesn't make the sound when going forward.

Any idea? help would be greatly appreciated.

 

You may just need new brakes. I do not know what exactly would cause this, but you probably need new brakes anyways, so might as well try that. Sorry I couldn't be all that much help.