Hi guys,

My Lexus has a whining sound, which is the loudest between 60 and 90 kph. Under 50 it isn't audible at all and above 90 it doesn't really get any louder either, although it's always there in the background.

It seems to be the loudest when accelerating but it's also there when I keep my foot off the pedals and I let the car slow down.

I tried putting the transmission into neutral, but the sound remained. The sound doesn't seem to be related to the engine rpms either, just to the current speed. Pressing down on the gas pedal when the car is in neutral doesn't really increase the sound.

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My mechanic tried to locate the source and thinks it comes from somewhere near or in the automatic transmission, but the sound is very hard to locate precisely. The transmission works perfectly, no problems there.

Does anyone of you guys have any idea where this sound could be coming from?

This is the recording of the sound:

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Since it is speed dependent and not engine rpm dependent, I would be focusing on the differential (both frt/rr if you have AWD). How many miles on the car? Have you had the fluid checked/changed in the differential(s)?

 

It's rear wheel drive, but the sound seems to be coming from the front. Fluids of the diff hasn't been touched.

 

Possibly front wheel bearing(s) going out?

 

They have been checked and are allright.

 

What tires are you running?

 

Sounds like the torque converter is in trouble to me.

 

The tires are stock ones, but the sound doesn't come from the wheels.

If the symptoms are plausible for the torque convertor I can have that checked. I'll go look for a good transmission specialist.

 

I am having a similar issue and was looking for someone who has fixed this issue

 

I've never found the solution. I've added about 80.000 miles to the car and it still makes the same sound. I don't notice it anymore and our mechanic says more gs have the same issue.

It has never let me down, it's been one of the best cars I've owned.