whining sound upon acceleration?

2010 TOYOTA COROLLA
130,876 MILES • 1.8L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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TXT9900
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I am hearing a whining sound upon acceleration. It seems to be a very high pitched sound. The noise started yesterday. Prior to this I was hearing a droning kind of sound upon accelleration like at 20-30 mph. So, I guess the droning sound has been replaced with a whining sound now when I start to accelerate.

Could this be my water pump going bad?
Sep 23, 2025 at 5:16 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi:

Anything is possible, but chances are it isn't the water pump. First, drive with the AC and defroster off to see if the noise goes away. It isn't uncommon for the compressor to make a noise.

I'm not sure where you are located or the temperatures there. High temps can cause an AC compressor to make a noise.

Start with this and let us know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

Sep 24, 2025 at 7:45 PM
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TXT9900
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Hi Joe. thanks for the reply. I am in South Florida. So, the AC compressor was replaced in April and is still under warranty. So, I'll take it to the my mechanic and have him check it out. Also, I'll try your suggestion.
Sep 25, 2025 at 3:37 AM
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TXT9900
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I just drove with my AC & defroster off and the noise is less. But when I press on the accellerator and hit 20 mph, then I hear a droning/roaring sound which is the noise I was hearing prior to this whining sound. The roaring sound started about two weeks back after I drove through heavy rainstorms. Not sure what this can be. I had my alternator tested two weeks back and it's apparently good.
Sep 25, 2025 at 4:04 AM
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STRAILER
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Usually it will be the drive belt that is having the issue can you upload short video of the noise so I can hear it and be sure? It could be an idler pulley bearing as well.
Sep 26, 2025 at 8:58 AM
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TXT9900
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My audio recording when I drove the car in the morning with the AC on and it was like a whining sound. I managed to upload the file.
Sep 26, 2025 at 9:40 AM
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STRAILER
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Hmm, is needs to be a video file for sound, mp4.
Sep 26, 2025 at 9:41 AM
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TXT9900
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Managed to convert it to an mp4 and uploaded it previously. Let me know if you can hear it.
Sep 26, 2025 at 9:46 AM
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TXT9900
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Here is the video file with the car making the whining sound upon acceleration. This was like at 6:30AM in the morning.
Sep 26, 2025 at 10:44 AM
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STRAILER
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I hear a bunch of noises in the video, none which I heard I thought was the belt, can I ask if the noise is coming from the rear of the car or the front?
Sep 26, 2025 at 6:21 PM
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TXT9900
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The whining sound is from the front of the car.
Sep 27, 2025 at 7:24 AM
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STRAILER
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Okay, this sounds like it can be a wheel bearing hub going out. I would get the car on a hoist and inspect the play in the front wheels. This can show a bad bearing, also if that seems okay start the car on the hoist and have a helper put it in gear and listen from where the noise is being generated from. Please upload a short video of the problem so I can see.
Sep 27, 2025 at 11:23 AM
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TXT9900
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At certain times I hear a roaring sound upon acceleration 20 to 30 mph. Is that also related to a wheel bearing?
Sep 27, 2025 at 11:57 AM
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STRAILER
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Yes it can be, does the noise change when you turn the car a little?
Sep 27, 2025 at 9:07 PM
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TXT9900
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I have to see if it does that.
Sep 28, 2025 at 5:30 AM
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STRAILER
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If so, it will be the bearing hub which are a common failure, if you can get a little better video of the noise it will help me know for sure what is going on.
Sep 28, 2025 at 10:56 AM
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TXT9900
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So tried turning a little but I don't think it made a difference in the noise. I notice it whines more in the early mornings than later in the day. Also, if I don't hear the whine then I hear the roaring sound when accelerating 20-30 mph. Could the idler pulley be causing this issue?
Sep 29, 2025 at 6:27 AM
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STRAILER
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Yes, the idler pulley can make noises like this, but you should be able to rev the engine ands hear the noise in park with the hood open, please upload a video in your response of any problems so I can hear it to be sure.
Sep 29, 2025 at 9:33 AM