2011 Sierra Whining @ 1500rpm

HeliRider · March 8, 2011

Dropped off my 2011 Sierra 1500 with the 6.2L engine at the dealer today. Only have 5000 miles on the truck. I started to hear a faint whining noise sounded like it was coming from the transmission area, you can clearly hear it in cab. The sound has progressively got worst and is pretty much constant at 1500rpm. It only seems to happen once the truck gets warmed up. I did notice today that the noise started when the transmission temp got around 95 degrees. I took the truck to the dealer, service manager jumps in my truck does not even get out of the parking lot turns around parks the truck and said we need to check this. So they have my truck and I patiently wait their diagnosis.

Anyone have something similar?

VVT · March 8, 2011

1500 RPM in each gear?

Stevens03 · March 8, 2011

Dang,... keep us posted

HeliRider · March 9, 2011

Here’s what they put on the invoice.

"Customer states whine in transmission at 1500 rpm after transmission temp warms to 95 degrees. Tech test drove could not duplicate concern, service writer herd noise when vehicle was dropped off, could not hear noise now. Service manger drove truck could not duplicate. Tech performed bulletin and PI’s none found at this time".

When I drove off the lot transmission temp was below 95 as soon as temp warmed above 95 the whine started. Not sure what to do? I certainly feel like I got jerked around. At least I got in writing that they did hear the noise.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Heli

Stevens03 · March 9, 2011

You should have turned around to the dealership and picked up the service manager. It's very frustrating anymore when "Mechanics" know nothing outside error codes anymore. If there's no code, the answers always "normal" or "Can't duplicate" issue.

00Silverado4x4 · March 9, 2011

Get one of those techs to ride with you or have them drive & you ride with them. Then they WILL hear the noise & quit giving you the "could not duplicate" answer. I've had to do this before when my wife's previous vehicle was giving us fits.

ozman2005 · March 10, 2011

Sorry to hear you received the dreaded "could not duplicate" answer. I only have about 900 miles on my '11 6.2, but have no such noise. As you stated, they did put it in writing that they did hear the noise at one point. I would say either go to another dealer if it's convenient, or just continue to drive it. If it's something serious it will eventually break and then you can let Chevrolet tow it away on their dime, or if it's nothing big it may go away. I agree that it is frustrating to have a "could not duplicate" issue on a new truck, especially when the service manager did duplicate it. Keep us updated with any new information.

Ozzie

Ron_CA · March 15, 2011

Any update on this?

pm26 · March 15, 2011

It is entirely possible that the noise you are hearing is your power steering pump whining. My truck has been doing it too starting around 2000 miles and only at low RPMs. The whine comes and goes and lately it has been very infrequent.

ChevyTech77 · March 15, 2011

You should have turned around to the dealership and picked up the service manager. It's very frustrating anymore when "Mechanics" know nothing outside error codes anymore. If there's no code, the answers always "normal" or "Can't duplicate" issue.

Easy there cheif. The OP's concern was duplicated and documented as such, by the service manager. If a concern props up later on down the road, it can be handled that is the important part.

Doug_Scott · March 16, 2011

You should have turned around to the dealership and picked up the service manager. It's very frustrating anymore when "Mechanics" know nothing outside error codes anymore. If there's no code, the answers always "normal" or "Can't duplicate" issue.

Easy there cheif. The OP's concern was duplicated and documented as such, by the service manager. If a concern props up later on down the road, it can be handled that is the important part.

Having been a mechanic working at a dealer for many years, I am always amazed that people figure that just because you are a mechanic you should be able to diagnose and repair any issue going purely on the description given by the customer. If it is not making the noise for me, how would I know if I fixed it or not? I had an issue with my G5 on shifting from 2nd to 3rd. It would grind (or crunch) the first time you shifted after sitting overnight. Took it to the dealer, left it overnight, and mechanic said it would not do it for him. I left the car overnight again, this time keeping the keys myself, and took the guy out the next morning. He heard it then. Sometimes you need to actually work with the mechanic to get something fixed.

confluence · March 16, 2011

Have been a member of this great site for a year, but this is my first post. Excellent place to spend time for information on GM trucks!

I have a 2010 Yukon XL 2500 (2wd) that developed a noticeable whine around 1500 rpm recently. Although I hear it when accelerating through this rpm point, it can be brief depending on how spirited I pull away. When decelerating, the noise is far more obvious, partly due to the fact that the engine seems to like sitting around 1500 after every upshift.

Operating temps must be reached before I hear anything. Noise began around 16,000km, and the truck has 20,000 today.

In neutral, pulling the rpm up will generate the sound - seems to be coming from under the truck up through the floor, or firewall. It quickly gets drowned out by the fan, though. I think the OP and I have different transmissions, which makes me wonder.

I also had my wife rev the engine while I listened at the front of the truck. No indication it is coming from any belt driven source. I was hoping it was just a tensioner, or something like that.

Over past two months, the sound hasn't become louder....or quieter.

I know the Technicians are not paid enough from GM to spend half the day diagnosing this, so I was hoping to do a little more detective work first (hate the "could not duplicate"). If it gets worse in the meantime, off it goes to Goodwrench!

SparkySparks · March 16, 2011

My truck seems to do this off and on also, I think mine has two different sounds that sound alike. I hear one most of the time when I am listening to either the iPod thru the aux jack or a CD. I have also herd a very similar sound just cruising along.

Stevens03 · March 17, 2011

You should have turned around to the dealership and picked up the service manager. It's very frustrating anymore when "Mechanics" know nothing outside error codes anymore. If there's no code, the answers always "normal" or "Can't duplicate" issue.

Easy there cheif. The OP's concern was duplicated and documented as such, by the service manager. If a concern props up later on down the road, it can be handled that is the important part.

Having been a mechanic working at a dealer for many years, I am always amazed that people figure that just because you are a mechanic you should be able to diagnose and repair any issue going purely on the description given by the customer. If it is not making the noise for me, how would I know if I fixed it or not? I had an issue with my G5 on shifting from 2nd to 3rd. It would grind (or crunch) the first time you shifted after sitting overnight. Took it to the dealer, left it overnight, and mechanic said it would not do it for him. I left the car overnight again, this time keeping the keys myself, and took the guy out the next morning. He heard it then. Sometimes you need to actually work with the mechanic to get something fixed.

Obviously I stepped on a few toes with my off the cuff statement, but I'm not the only one that has dealer papers that stated "issue could not be reproduced" or "operation normal" when clearly the issues could be reproduced while pulling out/off the lot. That's happened to me several times over the years and yes.... it's very frustrating when it's your truck. That's why I made the statement. I completely understand that mechanics aren't magicians and alot do their best, but not all. And it happens alot.