Threw up a couple codes and no water pump wasnt the problem. Whining or humming. However these noises can also occur due to faults in suspension or steering system components, therefore you should consider a bad wheel bearing if the vehicle presents other system as well, like humming or grinding noise and play in the wheel. 6 days ago A bad differential could mean that the gears are worn out, which causes humming sounds. Grinding or Humming. The first sign of faulty wheel bearing in your Sonic is obviously the humming noise. The most common causes for humming noise in Chevy Sonic at high speeds are bad wheel bearing, uneven tire wear and using tires with large tread blocks. All of your engine accessories will change their wine depending upon the RPM. On average, the cost for a Chevrolet Sonic Noise from engine or exhaust Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. The tire pressure should be in line with the recommended psi. One way to do this is by disconnecting the car battery for about 15 minutes. Once a good ground is restored, it should go away. But the procedure is very similar on these models! The recommendation is to check the problem and replace the whole fluid, and not complete the old one. In order to locate and diagnose links that are loose, you can hoist your car or use a jack to lift it. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Why Do Blower Motors Fail? Heres more from Atlantic Motor car on cupping. Next, well bring the car into the shop and elevate the entire car. Here is the fix for this situation. This humming sound will change with the engines RPM. It seems like the humming noise you are hearing could be due to a bad wheel bearing on that side. A bad torque converter can cause a whining sound when starting your Sonic. A humming noise is normal if youve recently replaced your Sonics tires with an aggressive tread. However, if your car doesnt have a transmission dipstick, you should have it checked by professionals. Had transmission rebuilt (Pro).My problem is that when it gets around 35, 8L90E Specs, Performance, and Identification, TH400 Transmission Specs, ID, and Common Problems, other serpentine belt section of this article, Chevy Silverado Whining Sound: Identification + How to Fix, Chevy Spark Whining Sound: Identification + How to Fix, Mazda 6 P0320: Meaning, Causes, & Diagnosis, Should stop a few seconds after cranking the vehicle over. The wheel bearings in Chevy Sonic are designed in such a way that they are absolutely maintenance-free. Gear slippage means the gears will not engage and accelerate properly. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic. If when you press the gas pedal a humming noise is heard, then, most likely, the release bearing is damaged and needs to be replaced. Sometimes other symptoms may also appear, a knocking noise when cornering, and vibrations in the steering wheel or the whole body. chevy sonic humming noise Low oil level in transmission whether your car has a manual or automatic transmission can cause a humming noise when driving. When you see that the wheel rotates with ease, you should rotate it by hand as quickly as possible to hear the hummin noise. Chevy Sonic makes humming noise at high speeds - causes and how to fix it Other factors can also contribute to premature bearing failure on your Sonic, like driving with unbalanced tires or poor wheel alignment. The higher the speed, the higher the vibration. Some customers may comment on a clunk or thump noise coming from the front suspension while driving over . So, after starting the car you will hear the hum for 2-3 minutes because the pump tries to pump thick liquid. There are many reasons why your Chevy Sonic is making humming noise at high speeds. A bad wheel bearing can cause vibrations in the steering wheel of Sonic, particularly if the front wheels are affected. If this piece is damaged, then it is possible to hear a hum under the car. January 2022 Jason, MAZDA6 shuts down while driving fuel pump not monitored, may be no engine light etc. A defective wheel bearing is a very common reason your Sonic will make a humming noise while driving. Humming noise in the car can be heard especially when driving and it can occur for various reasons. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. 2012 chevy sonic. Brakes make a crunching or thumping noise Worn bearings. A wheel bearing is located within the wheel hub, and is responsible for connecting the wheel to the vehicle. However, how soon they fail depends on driving habits. In rare cases, your exhaust bolts could be loose and cause hum noises when driving. Also, the noise is variable depending on the speed AND the duration of noise is also speed dependent (going slow, the thump is drawn out. Wear in these components will cause a humming noise as theyre moving. Possible reasons for hum noise in the car. The noise may also change depending on how fast youre driving or how much youre turning the steering wheel. When the belt becomes loosened, accelerating the car creates a humming sound. Overheated transmission. Rhythmic thumping noise when car's moving A good place to start would be to check the transmission fluid. Low Transmission Fluid Low transmission fluid in the engine can cause humming noises when driving. As I go down the freeway, around 40-70 mph, I get a hum hum hum hum sound coming from the front, maybe the drivers side. Chevrolet Silverado 1999-2006: Common Noises Diagnostic Like in the case of a damaged wheel bearing and low transmission oil level, the sound is louder. The one good thing to always stay on top of is normal. If the wheel has play when it is lifted up it will make narrowing the problem down really easy. But its more likely your Chevy Sonic has a suspension problem. Patrick started his love affair with cars in his childhood. Often you can hear the hum when starting the car after when cold because the oil thickens at low temperatures. Even when driving your Sonic in a straight line, the bearings have to absorb high radial forces. Off-road and winter tires are particularly noisy at high speed because of how much air passes through the aggressive tread patterns. None of these components fail due to any fault of the driver. Here are some of the pieces written by our ace author. This will cause engine system failures, the electronics in the cabin to not function and the battery to not be charged properly. A leak in the exhaust system can also cause the catalytic converter to overheat. Youre looking to change your Sonics load balance from one side to the other. You can easily know you have a failing wheel bearing because as you increase the speed the hum becomes much higher in intensity and under a variety of conditions: on a straight road, when turning when driving on roads with different surfaces. If a curve is then also driven through, axial forces occur. This could be a. Use the table above and noise recordings to make fixing your car easier. If you see any flecks of metal on there, it will probably need to be serviced. LOUD VIBRATION NOISE FIXED! I have been working in the automotive industry for more than 15 years. This sound may be a sign of a slackened belt, in which case the tensioner roller or its wear and tear may be responsible. Since a bad wheel bearing can affect the alignment of the vehicle, your Sonic will pull to one side when driving in a straight line. Chevrolet Sonic Loud Engine Noise Problems - carproblemzoo.com This could be a small leak in the exhaust system or air intake system. And regularly check the oil levels to ensure it of the right level and condition. Only the power steering pump will change with RPM or the steering wheel. Often problems with these hoses were observed in Mercedes-Benz cars with the Active Body Control feature. Here are some other things that can cause noise while at speed: You can do a few simple tests to figure out what is causing a humming noise while driving at high speed in your Chevy Sonic. These components all move or spin while youre driving. It would be obvious when looking at the issue. Saved me some cash for sure. You can fix it by cleaning the convertor off the contaminants. It's when there is no play and the wheel bearing is bad that it is harder to diagnose. Chevy Cruz has a similar engine as well. Catalytic convertors overheat due to the exhaust systems excessive amount of unburned fuel or gasses. Over the years, he claims a sturdy hold on his driving skills, along with a thorough understanding of cars. The most common sources of manual transmission noises include: Low fluid level. The whining sound should change when you turn your cars steering wheel or rev the engine. Been burned doing that but it works much more often than not. The biggest thing to look out for that would point to a specific issue would be when the noise occurs. As the load is taken off the bearing usually, the noise will change. A bent or wobbling pulley can cause the serpentine belt to make noise. You can do this by using a dipstick. Mechanic's Assistant: Is it just the ABS light? If the noise worsens, its probably an issue with wheel bearings. JavaScript is disabled. Humming while driving | Chevrolet Malibu Forums 7 /8. Then grab the wheel with both hands at the opposite sides and alternately press and pull. And though the leak could be coming from other car fluids, you may know if the low transmission fluid is the cause through these symptoms: Having low transmission fluid can be caused by: If the issue is with the torque converter or a damaged transmission gasket, you should replace them with new ones. Checking this issue is easy, you just have to shift gear to neutral while driving, if the humming noise disappears, then the input shaft bearing is damaged and you should replace it at a car workshop because its a hard operation. I was thinking maybe jackshaft bearing where axle goes into jackshaft it feels warm on . If they are replaced at the same time, this saves time and money. If the wheel sounds gritty and is hard to turn, you likely found the humming sounds cause. If your Sonic has a worn wheel bearing, the sound will be slightly more high-pitched than a tire issue (you can play that sound below). If it didnt change, its likely a tire-related problem. Poor road conditions. A damaged alternator means that the normal voltage will not be maintained in the cars electrical system. It does sound like a wheel bearing from your description. Front and rear differentials improve handling. Other factors can also contribute to premature bearing failure on your Sonic, like driving with unbalanced tires or poor wheel alignment. Minneapolis, MN 55406, A humming noise can be caused by a number of different systems in your vehicle. It is necessary to set the speed to neutral so that the wheel rotates freely (this can be omitted if wheels are being checked on a rear-wheel-drive car. Since the gear train has not been engaged in drive, it rules out all the other components. The most common symptoms of a bad wheel bearing in Chevy Sonic are grinding or humming noise, knocking or clunking noise when cornering, shaking steering wheel, body vibration, uneven or abnormal tire wear, play in wheel, and vehicle pulls to one side when driving in a straight line. Significant CV joint wear due to natural causes such as aging, and also caused by aggressive driving style. Why Does My Car Make Noise When Turning My Steering Wheel? Repetitive squeaking indicates the belt is not running true, and prolonged squealing means that the belt is overheating. Chevrolet Sonic Noise from engine or exhaust Inspection Costs All these cause CV joint noise when accelerating in motion or making sharp turns. - 2011-2016 CHEVROLET SONIC / CRUZE HOW TO REPLACE ENGINE MOUNT 4 STEPSHey guys in this video we show you how we fixed the loud vibration noise that was rattling all over our car! If the cupping is on the outside tread, it still could be an alignment issue. Changing the bearing assembly looks fairly straightforward, but I want to make sure that this is actually the problem. Estimate. Here in Canada the wheel bearings are definately covered by the GM powertrain warranty. Jack up each wheel and spin it freely. The first thing to assess is where the noise is coming from. Often times well need to order parts before performing the repair. The increased heat may break down and eventually expel the lubricant, leading to premature failure of the bearing. In general, it is advisable to change the second bearing on the same axle even if there is only one defective wheel bearing in your Chevy Sonic. It can tell you a lot about the health of your transmission. Or, you can watch the video below. A bad serpentine belt is the most common reason a Chevy Sonic will make a whining noise. Or the atmospheric din of an airplane flying overhead, that never gets further away. Jack up each wheel and spin it freely. Even when cornering, you may feel the handling of the vehicle a bit off. A humming sound heard at idle has to be something that moves even while the car doesnt. Chevy Malibu Forum is the best place for owners of the sedan to connect with the community and discuss MPG, mods, and more. Depending on the car, they may not require attention for more than 100,000 miles. $110.24 - $117.94. This is achieved with a grease filling that ensures adequate lubrication of the rolling elements over the entire service life of the wheel bearing. If there's movement, see where it's coming from and fix the obvious stuff first. It helps provide additional brake assist during low engine rpm. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There is an electric vacuum pump mounted to the firewall just below the brake booster. When these parts wear they will make noise. At an advanced stage of internal deterioration, the defective wheel bearing can cause knocking or clunking noises, particularly when turning or cornering in your Chevy Sonic. Generations 5 & 6 Malibu, Years 1997- 2007, Gen 5 & 6 Problems/Service Issues/Troubleshooting. His previous avatars include an automotive professional, photographer, and journalist, and you will certainly experience the roundness of experience in his piece on this site. chevyguy8893 said: If the wheel has play when it is lifted up it will make narrowing the problem down really easy. This is the most common cause of why you will hear humming noise in the car when driving. Heres more from Atlantic Motor car on cupping. January 2022 Jason, MAZDA6 shuts down while driving fuel pump not monitored, may be no engine light etc. Poor installation. This is particularly true when you first start the vehicle. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Chevy Sonic diagnosis. Squeaky, Squealing Sound - YouTube 97 it's a, I have a 2007 h3 hummer base model. 97 it's a, I have a 2007 h3 hummer base model. When driving, the speed creates additional forces. Gen 7 Problems/Service Issues/Troubleshooting, Gen 8 Problems/Service Issues/Troubleshooting. r/Chevy on Reddit: 2014/15 Chevy Cruze ecotec buzzing noise High impacts on the bearings also occur on uneven roads or when driving through potholes. In any case, it is advisable for laypersons to visit a workshop. You can also recognize a defective wheel bearing if there is too much play. It picks up at the exact point where you can see what cupped tread looks like. A professional mechanic can swiftly diagnose the problem for you. You should also ensure youre using the correct type of oil. Grinding or low-pitched humming sounds can be a sign of wear and failing parts. You can test all four wheel bearings when the car is stationary. Like in the case of a damaged wheel bearing and low transmission oil level, the sound is louder. Show example Chevrolet Sonic Hissing noise when brake pedal is depressed Inspection prices Brakes are the most important safety components on your vehicle. and can be more prone to cupping on a vehicle with worn suspension or imperfect wheel balance or alignment. Chevrolet Sonic Engine Noise Problems - carproblemzoo.com It can be assumed that both bearings were subjected to roughly the same stress and that the failure of the second bearing is imminent. Pulley: If the compressor pulley bearings are failing, they can make noises, generally a grinding, roaring or squealing noise. Humming noise is a symptom of an underlying problem with your Sonic, which must be resolved urgently for your safety and driving comfort. Tl the contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. Therefore, all wheel bearings eventually fail. If you are sure that the catalytic converter is the cause of the humming noises, you can either replace it or fix it without replacing it. Take a look behind the wheels. LOUD VIBRATION NOISE FIXED! - 2011-2016 CHEVROLET SONIC - YouTube The one good thing to always stay on top of is normal scheduled maintenance. If you turn on the AC and immediately hear a rattling noise, there are a few potential causes: Compressor: If your AC compressor is beginning to fail, it can make a rattling noise. We've outlined the most common reasons why a humming noise in your car gets louder with speed. CV Joint Noise When Driving Straight - Causes and Fixes If it did, your car likely has a faulty wheel bearing. Is the whining noise constant when you rev your vehicles engine? Thanks. Rotated both front tires to rear Inspected the tires while rotating and saw nothing out of ordinary When locking the car, it doesn't make any noise indicating it has been locked. It can manifest as a knocking, whirring, clunking, vibrating, squealing, or whining noise that persists until the blower motor is replaced. The may change when youre turning the wheel, such as when youre parking. It is important to know exactly where the humming sound comes from because this can indicate a serious problem with the car that needs proper repairs. An inner CV joint is a part of the transmission and its role is to send torque to the drive wheels. Depending on the car, they may not require attention for more than 100,000 miles. If you frequently drive your Sonic on bad roads with lots of potholes, drive over curbs with force or drive quickly around corners, the service life of the wheel bearings is significantly reduced. Tires are balanced with wheel weights when a new tire is installed. Chevy Sonic Whining Sound: Identification + How to Fix Worn or damaged gears. All the indicators on the instrument panel were . Or, it could be a situation where it is having a hard time disengaging. If your exhaust manifold gasket is damaged or the oxygen sensor is loose, the noises tend to go away when the engine warms up. However, it would be best not to ignore others as they indicate something is wrong with your car. Everything I read says check for play in the wheel from 12 to 6 o'clock, any other suggestions to find which wheel bearing it might be, or anything else to check? If your car tires are unbalanced, the strain you put on the wheel bearings will take a toll on them. Bad Struts Noise How Long Can You Drive With Bad Struts? With Sodium Hydroxide. In his second decade of reviewing cars and analyzing tools, Patrick is all set to give you convincing, reliable, and the latest information regarding whats happening in the automotive industry. Condition. To clean the catalytic converter with sodium hydroxide, you'll first need to remove it from the vehicle. If you can do so where no other traffic is around, get the noise to happen, then steer the car side to side, not real quick but sort of like going through a slalom course. A bad wheel bearing or suspension issue are the most common causes of humming when driving on the highway in the Chevy Sonic. The following suspension issues usually cause cupping: If you find cupping on the inside tread of your Sonics tire, suspect an issue with the wheel alignment. SOLVED! Lastly, always have your car serviced by reputable companies to avoid defective installment of components. That is RIDICULOUS, Cheryl. Chevrolet Sonic has a ticking noise/sound - EngineHum The worst case scenario for most parts is that too much wear will cause the part to fail. If you are unfortunately experiencing squeaks, or humming noises when you switch the gears of your Chevrolet Sonic, it is unfortunately a good bet that it is your gears that are starting to fatigued. We have a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic! The mileage depends on the driving style and the quality of the wheel bearing. It is normal operation. Start by driving a few miles on the highway, and a few miles around town with the radio off and no one else in the car. You can usually tell if a wheel weight fell off. Then, soak the inside of the converter using a spray bottle. However, issues to do with the exhaust system are different. Push the accelerator pedal, gently raising the engine rpm. In such cases, resetting the onboard computers can sometimes help resolve the issue. Save Share Reply Quote 1 - 5 of 5 Posts BadBowtie Registered Joined Apr 18, 2015 159 Posts This is easily resolved by tightening the screws. If there is, youre usually looking at a worn wheel bearing and not a bad tire. Just an update, chevy dealer replaced the left front bearing under warranty this morning, good to go! If its cupped badly enough, youll feel the unevenness. In addition, a damaged bearing is sometimes difficult to remove. The humming sounds coming from your car could indicate a failing differential. Transmission gasket pan damage or failure. If the hum comes from under the car then the possible reason can be a worn universal joint shaft. 10 Reasons Why Your Car Makes Noise When You Turn It Off, Car Makes Noise When Stopped In Drive 7 Causes, Top Causes Of Engine Squealing Noise + Solutions, Reasons Why Police Officers Touch Your Car When They Stop, 9 Reasons Why Car Hazard Lights Won't Turn Off, Why Does My Car Smell Sulfur: 7 Common Reasons, Car Jerks When Shifting From Park To Reverse Top Reasons, Leaking Coolant From The Bottom Of Engine Top Causes. In many cases, however, the noise builds up after a short time often after a few hundred miles. The reason you are hearing humming sounds in your car could be because the exhaust system has problems. Impacts of all kinds are much more damaging to bearings than the high loads. A failing alternator can also make your cars stereo hum while driving. If left unserviced, the bearings wear out faster and could cause damage to other parts. We always let you know what the repair costs will be before proceeding with the repair. If the bearing from the water pump is worn out this will trigger a hum in the engine compartment. A noise you hear at idle and a noise you hear only while driving are two very different problems. The drivetrain includes the transmission. Here is an excellent page with way more info on the subject. Join now! You will want to check it for color and metal content. Chevy Cruze 14 1LT chirping noise | Chevrolet Cruze Forums 2 Views. Another simple method of checking if you have a bad wheel bearing is by jacking up the car. If the noise is only present while driving it is likely related to the drivetrain. At a higher speed, the sound will be louder. If its cupped badly enough, youll feel the unevenness. Chevrolet Sonic Engine Makes a Ticking Noise - repairpal.com So we found the solution! Noises that are related to the drive belt will often get louder with higher RPMs but are not affected by vehicle speed. Tires with large tread block pattern are known to be noisy on the highway. You can diagnose the hoses by turning the steering wheel in one direction or another. Rob B briant The most common reasons a Chevrolet Sonic engine makes a ticking noise are low oil level or pressure, an issue with the ignition system, or an exhaust leak. This could mean the car will no longer drive. Every so o read more In most cases, leaking is the leading cause of low transmission fluid levels. Your transmission is responsible for making your car move - it transfers the power from the engine to the wheels. 1. The wear of the rear axle reducer can be caused by a low oil level in the transmission or because the oil is worn, and if the transmission itself has problems. Prices may vary depending on your location. Currently, he owns a BMW Z3 but cannot get his eyes off Aston Martin DB5. These contaminants circulate throughout the grease and between the races and the bearings accelerating the wear rate. If you found one or more damaged bearings, then you need to change them as soon as possible. Checking it requires you to be under the car and some mechanical skills. 3. To do this, you need to lift the car. These sounds become louder when accelerating. You can check it by driving at low speed on uneven roads or swinging the car. You should always check the power steering fluid level, which always causes steering wheel problems. Save. Air escaping through a leak can also cause a distinct humming noise. When we turned the car on it shakes everything! However, if it stays constant as you rev the engine, it will be something else. A defective blower motor will make a continuous sound noticeable by the passengers in the vehicle. 2. We've also provided an audio sample of each issue to help determine what's causing the hum. If there is, youre usually looking at a worn wheel bearing and not a bad tire.