Whoop/Slide Whistle/Police Siren Noise

[Sandy Keller]

I have the same issue with my 2017 Explorer and so far, it only seems to happen when the AC is on. I searched Google for this issue and found an older thread on this forum. I’ve copied and pasted three of the responses below. Funny how this issue has been going on since 2005 or earlier! I had an appointment with the dealer tomorrow morning, but canceled it earlier and decided to do my own research. They told me they had no knowledge of what the sound could be.

1. I have had this loud intermittent "whooping" noise coming from the back of my 2005 Ford Explorer. Everytime I took it into the dealer, they couldn't find the problem. If it's making this sound, you need to replace the HVAC Heater/ AC Module in the back. Go to www.fordparts.com and plug in your make, model to order. Unfortunately, the part is expensive ~ $250. It will be delivered to your Ford Dealer. You can have your Ford dealership fix it. They will charge ~ $800 including the module. If you are mechanically inclined, you can fix it yourself. Here's how:

2. The simple solution to this problem is to evac and refill freon. The Explorers with rear A/C hold a huge amount of freon 1.33kg. The noise is coming from the expansion valve, I believe due to a small lack of freon in the system. Almost a month has passed with out a reoccurance where as it was a daily event.

3. its the ac system. its the anti ice thing, i cant remember if a reprogram or a new expansion valve. fixes this issue, i think its a reprogram of the pcm, how it controls the ac compressor.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Sandy.
Not sure what the fix is that is indicated in the video. Video says it is 'unavailable'. Have you checked out the link in the first post?

Peter

 

[Munkychum]

FIXED!!! I finally got the whooping sound fixed. I took my Explorer into the dealership last summer and they couldn't figure it out. I took it in again a few weeks ago and they kept it for 4 days and would drive it up to an hour each day to try and track down the issue. Finally they found it and fixed it. The issue is a faulty TXV (Thermal Expansion Valve). They had to pull off the internal panels to isolate where the sound was coming from. Once they found it, they replaced the TXV and recharged the AC. I've been driving around for 3 weeks now with the AC constantly going and haven't heard the slighted whoop sound. Problem solved. Go to your mechanics and have them replace your TXV

 

[peterk9]

FIXED!!! I finally got the whooping sound fixed. I took my Explorer into the dealership last summer and they couldn't figure it out. I took it in again a few weeks ago and they kept it for 4 days and would drive it up to an hour each day to try and track down the issue. Finally they found it and fixed it. The issue is a faulty TXV (Thermal Expansion Valve). They had to pull off the internal panels to isolate where the sound was coming from. Once they found it, they replaced the TXV and recharged the AC. I've been driving around for 3 weeks now with the AC constantly going and haven't heard the slighted whoop sound. Problem solved. Go to your mechanics and have them replace your TXV

Was that in the rear A/C panel?

Peter

 

[Sandy Keller]

My 2017 is now fixed too. The dealers have a hotline and this is now a known issue. I gave my dealer relevant information plus they consulted the hotline. I just drove almost 1,000 miles in the past week and not a single whoop! Here’s a photo of what they did:

 

[Antcos]

FIXED!!! I finally got the whooping sound fixed. I took my Explorer into the dealership last summer and they couldn't figure it out. I took it in again a few weeks ago and they kept it for 4 days and would drive it up to an hour each day to try and track down the issue. Finally they found it and fixed it. The issue is a faulty TXV (Thermal Expansion Valve). They had to pull off the internal panels to isolate where the sound was coming from. Once they found it, they replaced the TXV and recharged the AC. I've been driving around for 3 weeks now with the AC constantly going and haven't heard the slighted whoop sound. Problem solved. Go to your mechanics and have them replace your TXV

My 2017 Explorer Sport is in the shop right now for the exact issue. Police siren or slide whistle whatever you want to call it.

 

[peterk9]

My 2017 Explorer Sport is in the shop right now for the exact issue. Police siren or slide whistle whatever you want to call it.

Welcome to the Forum.

Peter

 

[AuburnTiger]

My 2009 is doing it too. Can't replicate it, but it always sounds just like a cop is behind or beside me hitting a quick " whoop" on a siren. Since all of these posts are for newer cars, I wonder how many 4G Explorers are having this issue too?

 

[peterk9]

......... Since all of these posts are for newer cars, I wonder how many 4G Explorers are having this issue too?

Just create a thread in the appropriate forum to see what kind of response you get.

Peter

 

[rckfrdfile]

I recently procured an 07 Explorer Eddie Bauer 4x4 V6 with this problem and just had a thought to research this problem right now. Not sure if this issue goes back even further into the U152 half-generation but it is definitely an issue with the U251s. I had no idea it continued into the 2011+ Explorers, so that would be about 15-ish years Ford let that one go.

Everyone is right though. The conditions that cause it seem to be a mystery. I can be driving the thing for hours and it never makes the sound, then suddenly it appears randomly or several minutes. There are other times where it's on its first drive of the day and it makes the sound several times in the first few minutes of movement. I see that some say it's a harmless HVAC issue; when it happens to me is seems as if it's something happening in the audio system electronics, but not in a way that's affected by tuning, volume, sound spacing, etc.

But it does sound like a cop is RIGHT on your tail or beside you in the left lane and has just flipped on his siren as a sort of get-out-of-the-way poke.

 

[peterk9]

^^ Welcome to the Ford Explorer Forum.

Peter

 

[Fostersean]

I have a 2015 Explorer Sport. Last summer and this summer (mainly while AC is on) the wierd noise of Whoop, Whoop or Slide Whistle or Police Sirens emits from the rear of the vehicle.

Things I know
1) Makes noise intermittently during driving at all speeds.
2) Cant reproduce sound for dealer
3) Make noise mainly while ac is on
4) Will make noise while idling in park
5) Noise comes from rear of vehicle, unknowing of a certain side left or right
6) Only 2 posts I can find that somewhat describes this noise on the internet, niether apply

Any help or experiences would be appreciated, otherwise a great vehicle

Thanks,

peek

My Ford Explorer 2016 sport has this weird siren sound coming from the rear side. Seen a lot of posts about the same issues. Anyone got theirs fixed yet?

 

[Fostersean]

I am taking my 2014 XLT into the shop for a whooping noise coming from the rear driver side area (interior third row cupholder area) It sounds as though a police siren is going off in my car "whooooop" or a slide whiste type noise. It varies in the loudness and is extremely intermittent. It would typically occur once a month and typically only at highway speeds. It was extremely windy here a couple of days ago and I heard the noise five times in a twenty minute drive, and different speeds including under 10mph. The noise is only inside the car since I asked a neighborh who was outside when it happen, and they did not hear it at all. I didn't even realize it was probably the windy conditions that created the issue to pop up until the next day when there was no wind to try and recreate the issue for a video.

I have mentioned it to the dealer before, but can not replicate it when they look at the car. I am taking it in again since my 36,000 warranty is about to expire. I have googled and found a video that shows the repair ( ) but I can not make a video of the actual sound in my car since I can not predict when it will happen. Does anyone else have an explorer that does this, and if so do you happen to have a video clip of the noise? I am concerned the service department won't believe me, and I would prefer to avoid having a estimated $800 repair on my dime.

Than