6.0 w/ Alternator Whine <--What the dealer says

[71GMC_3/4T]

I took my '03 in for a whine I thought was the power steering. They are trying to convince me it's the alternator and it's normal.

 

Anyone else got this whine that's most annoying at about 2200-2300 RPMs? To me, it sounds like a ferd with a bad (normal?) power steering pump. However, I've never had one of these Delphi alternators before, so it might be the noisy one. There's not really any easy way to isolate which one makes the noise without a lot of trouble.

 

At first, they told me it was normal power steering pump cold noise and since it was warm it wouldn't make the noise when they tested it.

 

Now, when I take it in and hold the tach at 2200 RPM, he says the whining is normal alternator noise. It sounds the same whether the alternator is under full load, or normal load (the mechanic and I ran it on the alternator analyzer). I don't know whether to buy this or not.

 

I've read that someone had a noisy alternator, while someone else had a bad power steering pump. I'd shotgun either one if I knew the noise would go away, and take the bad one back to the dealer.

 

Help? Thanks!

[Bgdsub72]

I have a whine in my truck with the 6.0L, and I can't figure out for the life of me what it is comming from. I thought it was the stock exhaust, changed it to magnaflow and it is still there... maybe cats, power steering or as you suggest alternator?!?!

[snoman]

I took my '03 in for a whine I thought was the power steering.  They are trying to convince me it's the alternator and it's normal. 

 

Anyone else got this whine that's most annoying at about 2200-2300 RPMs?  To me, it sounds like a ferd with a bad (normal?) power steering pump.  However, I've never had one of these Delphi alternators before, so it might be the noisy one.  There's not really any easy way to isolate which one makes the noise without a lot of trouble. 

 

At first, they told me it was normal power steering pump cold noise and since it was warm it wouldn't make the noise when they tested it.

 

Now, when I take it in and hold the tach at 2200 RPM, he says the whining is normal alternator noise.  It sounds the same whether the alternator is under full load, or normal load (the mechanic and I ran it on the alternator analyzer).  I don't know whether to buy this or not.

 

I've read that someone had a noisy alternator, while someone else had a bad power steering pump.  I'd shotgun either one if I knew the noise would go away, and take the bad one back to the dealer.

 

Help?  Thanks!

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

It could be bad alt bearings as they will sing whenthey go bad. Usually its it the rear bearing on them than goes bad first.

[PbFlinger]

No whines in mine. I was just out messing around with it, so I took a good listen. Standing in front with hood open, sitting in seat hood open or closed, windows up or down, I can't hear any whines at all. How bad is yours?

[71GMC_3/4T]

Mine only has 16,000 miles on her, so I doubt it's bad bearings.

It's not that bad, but if you have the radio off and the windows up, you can hear it enough it's annoying.

[jamashke]

My 2004 6.0L does the same thing. Tried to say it was the Altenator as well. I then asked....I put full synthetic in my power steering and the noise calmed down...How is that the altenator. This is what they finally did on my paperwork.

 

"Noise has been noted. No noticable mechanical.functional failures as of current. Customer will continue to monitor"

 

Also for the past 5000 miles when the truck is in Drive you get a high pitch whistle coming from the tranny. They did the same thing for that. Noise was noticed blah blah.

[snoman]

My 2004 6.0L does the same thing.  Tried to say it was the Altenator as well.  I then asked....I put full synthetic in my power steering and the noise calmed down...How is that the altenator.  This is what they finally did on my paperwork.

 

"Noise has been noted.  No noticable mechanical.functional failures as of current.  Customer will continue to monitor"

 

Also for the past 5000 miles when the truck is in Drive you get a high pitch whistle coming from the tranny.  They did the same thing for that.  Noise was noticed blah blah.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

I recently had my torque converter and front pump replaced in my 2000 K3500 under exteneded warranty at only 30k miles on truck since new. Tranny was working fine but making a squealing noise like from bypass valve or something. GM replaced the converter and pump without a fuss and saifd they have been having some trouble with them. Not sure if it applies to your 04 though.

[Want2race]

My 2004 6.0L does the same thing.  Tried to say it was the Altenator as well.  I then asked....I put full synthetic in my power steering and the noise calmed down...How is that the altenator.  This is what they finally did on my paperwork.

 

"Noise has been noted.  No noticable mechanical.functional failures as of current.  Customer will continue to monitor"

 

Also for the past 5000 miles when the truck is in Drive you get a high pitch whistle coming from the tranny.  They did the same thing for that.  Noise was noticed blah blah.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

I recently had my torque converter and front pump replaced in my 2000 K3500 under exteneded warranty at only 30k miles on truck since new. Tranny was working fine but making a squealing noise like from bypass valve or something. GM replaced the converter and pump without a fuss and saifd they have been having some trouble with them. Not sure if it applies to your 04 though.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

 

Ive changed 2 altenators and 1 power steering pump and I can confiently say its the alternator. not because its faulty, but because someone designed it poorly that results in a harmonic frequency being relayed though the speaker system. A ground loop isolator may fix the problem.

[Va2500HD]

I have the same sound. 02 6.0 4X4 CC. Drives me nuts. Sounds so much like the Ford power steering that I was always critical about. No issues other than noise at 50,000 mi. BTW, old original post.

[Coffey77]

Have the same "Ford Whine" problem as well on my 6.0L. A new power steering pump, 4 gear boxes and one alternator later - whines worse than ever. I've brought it to their attention many times... (Feels better when I do that but get some funny looks from dealer but understanding nods from other customers)

[gave20]

I have the whine as well plus noisy lifters; gotta love the diesel sound without the diesel performance.