slight hum noise... louder when accel

[4FordFamily]

Well I guess the title says it all, I am hearing a slight hum noise in my 4.0 OHV v6 (1995 Explorer) When i accelerate it gets slightly louder.

Power Steering fluid? Alternator? Any ideas?

I work in a very unsafe part of town now, and REFUSE to leave my truck there if it breaks down. I would like, (especially now) to fix everything before it fails completely. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Glacier991]

I'm having the same issue with my 92, it seems to be from the passenger side... I thought it might be the IAC but I had a new one on hand and swapped it out and nope, that wasn't it... I'll keep checking you do the same and perhaps someone has a clue....and maybe together we can figure this out....

It mainly does it on acceleration and once I'm up to speed it goes away....Not really worrisome, more annoying and curious.

 

[Rhett]

I sure would have said "IAC", because they whine on accel, but other than that...hmm...maybe there is a leak in the air intake somewhere?

I've got a cold-morning bird chirp in mine that I can't figure out...it's not belt, it's not tensioner pulley, it's not idler pulley...must be another pulley or water pump...

 

[4FordFamily]

Well I had that chirp problem until my steering belts (not sure the correct terminology, but lets just say when it FELL out of my car, and it was repalced that chirp went away.. coincidece, not sure)

Yeah the belt, spindle, bolts and nuts and stuff just fell out of my truck one morning at school a few years back, I had to steer home without official "steering" kinda like when your auxilary stuff is on, but not the motor. Yeah it was a *****. It was also STUPID because apparently my coolant hose fell off. I was told I for sure fried my motor. However, being that it was less than 10 degrees out, possibly in the negatives that morning my truck made it ok. And came out of it alright.

Anyway, yeah so that's about the chirp, and as for my problem... mines comming from my AFTER MARKET 200+ amp alternator, they told me between 200-300... uhh im assuming that means what, 180 amps? anyway, yeah but its under warranty for me, not sure about you buddy.

Before when my truck did that, it was my IAC valve, but I just bought a new one last year and it was cleaned last week when I got a tuneup.

 

[Diddy74]

I have the same noise occsionally,tonight it ran smooth. It only occurs when I accerlerate, I thought IAC too, took it off cleaned it and still hums! I'll have to check for a vacum leak.

 

[4FordFamily]

Mine turned out to be my alternator. Shortly after my post my lights began to dim quite a bit when not accelerating... ESPECIALLY at a light... down to about 1/4 on the gauge.

ALTERNATOR'S SUCK especially if you have a lot of audio equipment. I am going to add a second battery I think.

 

[Fantasymon]

I had the same problem but the humming noise was really loud. I took it too Midas and they said it was the IAC and they replaced it. Haven't heard the noise since. They charged me $97 for the IAC and $75 for labor. Anyone know if that is a decent price or did I get ripped off? Is it a simple remove and replace?

Thanks

grantp

 

[Vanquish502]

You got ripped of harshly.


It's only 2 bolts and a plug. It's also right on top of the engine, so it easy to get at too.

 

[Glacier991]

I respectfully disagree. They had to diagnose and replace. Sure you paid retail for the part... and perhaps a little over an hour's labor... but all in all the "overcharge" might have been $30. at worst.