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Thread: power steering whining noise?

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    Angry power steering whining noise?

    Hi everyone. I'm about to buy a new 3 GT in about a week, so I just had my first test drive today. As expected, I totally loved the feel and handling of the car, but I noticed a very annoying whining sound coming from the engine compartment. Now, I'm no mechanic but it must be somehow connected to the power steering since the pitch would change according to the use of the steering wheel. I was wondering if any of you has experienced that, and if you know what is causing it or how to get it fixed. It totally spoils the pleasure of driving an otherwise fine car. I would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thank you.

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    Member WeatherB's Avatar
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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    It's normal... These cars have the world's loudest power steering pump.

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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    I wouldn't classify it as a whine, more like a buzz.

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    Member Malcolm991's Avatar
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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    Ive never heard that but now Im going to listen to see if mine has that problem

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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    I think it's a lot noisier on the 07 / 08s. You can't really hear my friend's 06.

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    Jr Member Nova 3 GT's Avatar
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    Smile Re: power steering whining noise?

    I have a 2006 GT HB and I can hear it clearly however, it's much more noisier during the first 10 min. It sounds exactly like the electric motors from the CLRV (streetcar)
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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    It is normal
    You can really hear it when you have someone else park your car but I dont hear it in the car

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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    I can't really hear it unless I listen for it..but as WeatherB said, I would classify it more like a buzz, not a whine. And as another person said..like electric motors. heh.

    Its like that on the 3.. although it shouldn't be loud enough to really bother you.
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    Post Re: power steering whining noise?

    I was digging around and I found this post:

    "I noticed the other day that while the car is at rest, and only at rest, you can hear a faint high-pitched whining sound while seated inside.

    The sound actually was coming from under the hood, and extending into the cabin. But it disappears as soon as the car is in motion. It's not a loud sound, but I was very curious as to what the source was. It doesn't come from the fan or AC unit, or the engine or transmission.

    So I took it into the dealer.
    It's actually the power steering unit. The fluid pressure is programmed to constantly change, depending on the speed of the car.

    So when the car is not moving, the power steering fluid pressure is highest (to make it easier to steer), and makes the faint whine. But when the car is on the highway, the pressure is the lowest (to make it a little harder to steer).

    The dealer says it's designed this way, and there's nothing mechnically wrong with the car. I imagine the faint whine will be completely corrected for next year's model year (as they work out real-world bugs like this).

    But for those who have Mazda 3 cars now (Jan-04), if you hear this faint noise, you can relax and take it easy, knowing all is well. Your car is still like fine wine (even with faint whine)."

    Do you experience the same thing? I also can't recall hearing the whining sound while driving, but it was definitely audible when parked.

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    Sr Member mEtH's Avatar
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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    Its normal... the mini cooper is probably the only car with a similar noise.

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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    happens on my car too. it gets louder if you turn the steering wheel all the way.

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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    It goes away after a while. I've had my 07 for almost a year now, and I don't hear it anymore.
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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    It is normal. I remember my friend said the 3's power steering is electric and is not driven by the belt. All electric power steering will have this noise.
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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    I don't know whether it's normal for other model years. But for 2004 MY, there's a TSB #0600204 about abnormal whining noise from the steering system. My car is also 2004. There was no noise until after 3 years. The whining noise from the steering pump was very loud. The dealer changed it under extended warranty. Now no more noise.

    So I think it's better to test drive another car to see if it's normal or it only happened to that car. If it's normal, you have to decide whether you can live with it.

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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    the power steering is electric, and on idle it is a little loud. but i think all 3s are like that. the bad part might be, if your battery is dead, and you boost the car and drive it. when you get to the 1st corner, you loose all power steering cause there isnt enough juice in the battery. that happended to me once.
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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    Quote Originally Posted by mf5781 View Post
    I don't know whether it's normal for other model years. But for 2004 MY, there's a TSB #0600204 about abnormal whining noise from the steering system. My car is also 2004. There was no noise until after 3 years. The whining noise from the steering pump was very loud. The dealer changed it under extended warranty. Now no more noise.

    So I think it's better to test drive another car to see if it's normal or it only happened to that car. If it's normal, you have to decide whether you can live with it.
    I did in fact test drive a second car the same day. Although, the whine from the second car steering was not as loud as from the first, it was there never the less. As for whether I can live with it, not sure, noises like that just drive me nuts. It's a real bummer since I was so hipped about getting the car, there is just nothing else in that class that I really like.

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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    I wouldn't let something like that bother you since its pretty subtle after a while as you get used to it. Though, it is your car, don't get something that you might not fully enjoy.

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    Sr Member Wild Weasel's Avatar
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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    So much as everyone's saying it's normal... if it doesn't sound normal to you then make sure you check the power steering fluid levels. The only car I've had that made an out-of-the-ordinary sound from the steering pump had a leak and only made noise when the fluid was low.

    That said... if it's full and you're still concerned, have someone else look at the car with you. Better safe than sorry.

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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    I'm fairly sure it's normal... me 2008 Mazda3 has the same whining; I was concerned about it and brought it into the dealership. They informed me it was normal, even rolled out a brand new Mazda3 into the service area and let me listen to the power steering pump on that one whine just as much as on mine

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    Member mazda lover's Avatar
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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    I had a Ford product in the late 80s that developed a whinng steering pump. I believe it might be because of air in the line but ours being so new I can't see it. Ford owns a porition of Mazda so maybe they are using Fords technology...ohhhhh nooooooooo ....bottom line I think it will in time get worse, good luck to us all...

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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    Quote Originally Posted by lesnar View Post
    happens on my car too. it gets louder if you turn the steering wheel all the way.
    Please remember that turning the wheel "ALL" the way = BAD!

    Someone else who is more technical than I can possibly explain...

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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    The whining is absolutely normal as we have electric assist steering, thing is and I noticed this with my '05 also, is that when new it is quite loud, but after awhile the noise settles down to a more subtle whine.Always there but less noticeable after some time.


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    Member bunchi's Avatar
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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    I hear it too but only when I'm manuevering to a parking spot. at running speeds can't hear it.

    turn up the volume on the radio - problem fixed!
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    Default Re: power steering whining noise?

    have your power steering ever been change? If so, i heard that from my mechanic he deals with all mazda at his collision shop, he said, the factory power steering cost a lot so if by any chance was replace thru insurance, the insurance guys will not replace it with the factory ones only aftermarket replacement, and those aftemarket ones usually give off lots of weird noise or problems.

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