There's a humming noise ONLY when it rains. 2013 FPIU.

[Nibroc99]

Footage of the humming noise:


Please... Somebody, anybody, I need help. 2013 FPIU 3.7. This noise will not go away and it happens on the highway ONLY when it rains and I go over 60 mph. It's so strange. And it's overwhelmingly loud, can't hear people talk over it.
Has happened since I got the car, so it isn't any of the stuff I've added like the brush guard or lights on the front or anything. I don't have any light bar on top either so it's not that.
Noise is a constant pitch - no change in pitch based on engine or vehicle speed. This leads me to think that maybe it's a "whistling" effect from something, like it is getting wet and then that causes it to "whistle" that loud tone.
Tried putting it in neutral when the noise happens, and there is no change whatsoever. So that rules out transmission noise I guess. Idk, someone mentioned trying that when I was at the shop haha.
Replaced tires and it still makes the same noise.
My mechanic says that all of the wheel bearings seem to be fine. He could not for the life of him figure out what could be causing the noise.
PTU fluid has been changed and looks healthy, along with rear diff fluid, tranny fluid, and regular oil changes, so it's not that either.
There are no belly pans or air dams or anything that could be causing the issue.
CV axles appear to be healthy, no rust or signs of play in the U joints or anything.
Driveshaft has no play in it and U joints look fine on it as well. Very little rust on this car which is awesome. Center bearing has no play.
Noise comes and goes a bit, but this video shows a best-case scenario... Normally it doesn't just fade in and out right away. Normally it'll be like that for minutes on end.
Does anybody have any idea what could be causing this noise?

 

[peterk9]

Have you checked your 'A' pillars to make sure they are not loose?

Peter

 

[Nibroc99]

Have you checked your 'A' pillars to make sure they are not loose?

Peter

They are definitely solid on there! It sounds like drivetrain noise, I can feel the vibration from the sound in my feet. It sounds like it's coming from the front right. Had all my friends in my car on a drive and asked them where they hear it from and they all said front right for sure. It'll even happen if the road on the highway is moderately wet, as soon as I'm driving on a wet highway at speeds over 60mph I hear the noise.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Carefully spray underneath within a hose. Do a small area at a time to narrow it down. Just because something sounds like the right front, doesn’t mean it’ll be a problem in the right front. Often rear wheel bearing will appear to be something wrong in the front end.

 

[Nibroc99]

Carefully spray underneath within a hose. Do a small area at a time to narrow it down. Just because something sounds like the right front, doesn’t mean it’ll be a problem in the right front. Often rear wheel bearing will appear to be something wrong in the front end.

Ah, good idea actually - I could run some tests like that in dry conditions to try to isolate it! That's a fantastic idea, I don't know how I didn't think of this! Thank you! Will have to do that tomorrow when it's not dark out so that I can more safely do the test.

 

[gapcomputer]

maybe hood related?

 

[Nibroc99]

maybe hood related?

I definitely don't think it's hood related... It feels like the vibration of the noise is coming from below me, from the drivetrain. I appreciate the input though!

 

[gapcomputer]

just in case check this video, maybe isn't your problem, but he explains how when the car is lifted, many parts of the suspension looks tight and right, with no play etc etc, is 6 min long and may or not help you.

 

[Pinout]

Footage of the humming noise:


Please... Somebody, anybody, I need help. 2013 FPIU 3.7. This noise will not go away and it happens on the highway ONLY when it rains and I go over 60 mph. It's so strange. And it's overwhelmingly loud, can't hear people talk over it.
Has happened since I got the car, so it isn't any of the stuff I've added like the brush guard or lights on the front or anything. I don't have any light bar on top either so it's not that.
Noise is a constant pitch - no change in pitch based on engine or vehicle speed. This leads me to think that maybe it's a "whistling" effect from something, like it is getting wet and then that causes it to "whistle" that loud tone.
Tried putting it in neutral when the noise happens, and there is no change whatsoever. So that rules out transmission noise I guess. Idk, someone mentioned trying that when I was at the shop haha.
Replaced tires and it still makes the same noise.
My mechanic says that all of the wheel bearings seem to be fine. He could not for the life of him figure out what could be causing the noise.
PTU fluid has been changed and looks healthy, along with rear diff fluid, tranny fluid, and regular oil changes, so it's not that either.
There are no belly pans or air dams or anything that could be causing the issue.
CV axles appear to be healthy, no rust or signs of play in the U joints or anything.
Driveshaft has no play in it and U joints look fine on it as well. Very little rust on this car which is awesome. Center bearing has no play.
Noise comes and goes a bit, but this video shows a best-case scenario... Normally it doesn't just fade in and out right away. Normally it'll be like that for minutes on end.
Does anybody have any idea what could be causing this noise?

Brake pads are a possibility.

Footage of the humming noise:


Please... Somebody, anybody, I need help. 2013 FPIU 3.7. This noise will not go away and it happens on the highway ONLY when it rains and I go over 60 mph. It's so strange. And it's overwhelmingly loud, can't hear people talk over it.
Has happened since I got the car, so it isn't any of the stuff I've added like the brush guard or lights on the front or anything. I don't have any light bar on top either so it's not that.
Noise is a constant pitch - no change in pitch based on engine or vehicle speed. This leads me to think that maybe it's a "whistling" effect from something, like it is getting wet and then that causes it to "whistle" that loud tone.
Tried putting it in neutral when the noise happens, and there is no change whatsoever. So that rules out transmission noise I guess. Idk, someone mentioned trying that when I was at the shop haha.
Replaced tires and it still makes the same noise.
My mechanic says that all of the wheel bearings seem to be fine. He could not for the life of him figure out what could be causing the noise.
PTU fluid has been changed and looks healthy, along with rear diff fluid, tranny fluid, and regular oil changes, so it's not that either.
There are no belly pans or air dams or anything that could be causing the issue.
CV axles appear to be healthy, no rust or signs of play in the U joints or anything.
Driveshaft has no play in it and U joints look fine on it as well. Very little rust on this car which is awesome. Center bearing has no play.
Noise comes and goes a bit, but this video shows a best-case scenario... Normally it doesn't just fade in and out right away. Normally it'll be like that for minutes on end.
Does anybody have any idea what could be causing this noise?

Brake pads are a possibility. There are many different pad material combinations, some being harder, and some being softer. The water could be contributing to a vibration or harmonic. Some manufacturers even have vibration dampening pads.

 

[Nibroc99]

Brake pads are a possibility.

Brake pads are a possibility. There are many different pad material combinations, some being harder, and some being softer. The water could be contributing to a vibration or harmonic. Some manufacturers even have vibration dampening pads.

I have changed all of my pads, rotors, and calipers not too long ago, actually... Two of the calipers were sticking so I just replaced them all to start fresh because I could afford to do so. The noise still persists. I appreciate the input though!

 

[WolfeScat]

Start taping off the front of the car. Start with the 1/2 the grill & then any opening in the front of the car where wind blows through. Years back I had a 98 Escort wagon that had a similar noise. Happen to park beside another at work & noticed Ford installed my roof rack backwards. I didn't feel like flipping it, so I put a piece of 1/2 inch pipe foam on the front bar & the noise went away.

 

[peterk9]

Start taping off the front of the car. Start with the 1/2 the grill & then any opening in the front of the car where wind blows through. Years back I had a 98 Escort wagon that had a similar noise. Happen to park beside another at work & noticed Ford installed my roof rack backwards. I didn't feel like flipping it, so I put a piece of 1/2 inch pipe foam on the front bar & the noise went away.

Welcome to the Forum.
The OP mentions it only happens when driving in the rain and seems to be coming from under the vehicle so I doubt taping off section would help.
If it was caused by wind, I would think it would be there all the time.

For what it's worth, some members had squealing-type noises when diving in the rain and it was the serpentine belt. This likely isn't the cause in this case since I don't think that would result in vibrations that you can feel.

Peter

 

[Nibroc99]

Welcome to the Forum.
The OP mentions it only happens when driving in the rain and seems to be coming from under the vehicle so I doubt taping off section would help.
If it was caused by wind, I would think it would be there all the time.

For what it's worth, some members had squealing-type noises when diving in the rain and it was the serpentine belt. This likely isn't the cause in this case since I don't think that would result in vibrations that you can feel.

Peter

I do need a new serpentine belt and probably tensioner, so that could be a possibility, but I don't think it's the source of the noise and vibration. This noise is far less of a squealing and more of a hum. I appreciate the input! It's been pouring here nonstop because of the tropical storm passing through so I haven't had a chance to do the targeted tests by spraying certain points of the underside.

 

[greenerict]

Brake dust shield? Maybe getting hit with water and vibrating? Maybe it's just a little loose?

 

[Nibroc99]

Brake dust shield? Maybe getting hit with water and vibrating? Maybe it's just a little loose?

I have done the brakes recently and they are all tight on there.

 

[mguy13sport]

Does it make that sound while in Park or only when driving? That will really help narrow it down.

My first guess would be you have wire interference into the speakers or something like that. Most stereo wires do not like condensation and will generate humming noise. Ever used an old copper telephone line when its raining?

Other possibilities would be worn bushings somewhere in the subframe or torque mounts. Maybe even exhaust hanger vibrating.

 

[Nibroc99]

Does it make that sound while in Park or only when driving? That will really help narrow it down.

My first guess would be you have wire interference into the speakers or something like that. Most stereo wires do not like condensation and will generate humming noise. Ever used an old copper telephone line when its raining?

Other possibilities would be worn bushings somewhere in the subframe or torque mounts. Maybe even exhaust hanger vibrating.

It only happens when moving at speeds over 60mph, regardless of if I'm in drive or neutral. It is definitely not coming from my stereo - it is very clearly not coming from the speakers or wires, it's definitely from the outside of the vehicle. It doesn't change in pitch based on speed or anything like that, it's always a consistent tone.