"whine" coming from '13 Sierra 1500 I'm test driving

chiroken · July 24, 2015

Hello everyone. Just finished test driving a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L V8 with 16K km's. I notice a sort of whine sound at lower speeds. Barely audible at 60km/hr due to engine running noise. It isn't always there. When slowing to a stop the whine can sound louder, I think due to the vehicle noise being so quiet. I did not specifically notice if there was a change during turning.

Online searching may indicate a power steering pump issue that can be common? Most of the threads I found are much older vehicles though and not sure if newer models have the same issue.

If something like the ps pump, this would be a warrantee issue?

Any help would be appreciated, I'm not overly mechanically inclined but I certainly can forward the information or suggestions. I love everything else about the truck!

Thanks.

sahls01gmc · July 24, 2015

I'd go with 1 of 2 options:

- Don't buy it. If you're on the fence, who knows what could happen.

- Have the dealership check it out. I'd take it to an un-related shop to have them check it out. If it all checks out ok, you should be good to go!

The Zip · July 24, 2015

A whine can also be associated with the differential, you can hear the whine with every touch of the throttle. I had a vehicle with a differrential whine that got louder as the vehicle speed increased.

chiroken · July 24, 2015

A whine can also be associated with the differential, you can hear the whine with every touch of the throttle. I had a vehicle with a differrential whine that got louder as the vehicle speed increased.

I can't say the sound increased with speed, if anything it got quieter as the engine noise increased (drowning it out). It was also present in a slow coast with the foot right off the throttle. Does that help?

2017SierraSLT · July 24, 2015

It still has bumper to bumper coverage, so it needs to be fixed by GM.

chiroken · July 24, 2015

Update: my guy at the dealership (the vehicle is on a Nissan lot) said they mechanic 'scoped the alternator and thinks this is the cause. He also said GM has a bulletin on this truck about the alternator. Nissan will be taking the vehicle to GM to have it warranteed.