Jjmuckley

I have a 2014 GS 350 bought a couple of months ago as a cpo with approximately 30k miles. It's a great car other than the engine makes a high pitched whining sound as the rev's increase. It's noticeable from in side the car as well as outside the car.....enough that it gets people's attention. I took it to the dealer and at the write-up the service advisor said that didn't sound right but after 1.5 days in the shop they called and said it was "normal". Hard for me to believe that Lexus makes a motor that sounds like that but I'm not sure. I have a video clip of the engine sound if I can figure out how to post it. Any help would be appreciated.

jj14

Upload to youtube and share the URL here?

Jjmuckley

Here is the link. The noise appears to be coming more from the drivers side of the engine

Jjmuckley

Let's try this again

jj14

Hmm - I'm pretty sure my car makes that sound too - but once the hood is closed, I can't hear it (even with the windows down). Even with the hood open though, the sound is not as loud though.
Maybe others will have more useful input.

Longevite1

I think it is loud, but not the whining thing.

Please check your oil level, may be it's low.

Jjmuckley

Oil is right on the full mark. Car has been making this sound since I picked it up from the dealer. Almost sounds like an electric motor/gear sound and is almost totally gone when it's raining. Seems like it could be an alternator/belt issue but since the dealer says it "normal" not much I can do. When the car drives by it sounds like a high pitched electric motor.

LatinLS430

iTrader: (1)

It sounds to me like a bad alternator/bearing or some other pulley bearing.

Jjmuckley

That is the exact noise. Many thanks .........I am going to take it back to the dealer and show them this video. It is just a really annoying sound on a vehicle of this caliber it drowns out the actual engine sound

Dallasguy1

+1 that's definitely not normal and it's a bad bearing or pulley of some type.

LatinLS430

iTrader: (1)

Hope the dealer takes care of it since it's a CPO Lexus.

bclexus

It sounds to me like a bank of diodes has failed in the alternator. When the diodes are good and performing their job (allowing current to flow in only one direction) they do not produce this output ripple noise because the battery acts as a capacitor and tames the ripple noise. However, when diodes fail (allowing current to flow in both directions) the results is a whine noise (a.k.a. alternator whine). Failed diodes in the alternator's rectifier bridge can still allow the alternator to deliver its rated output, but that output carries a significant chance of not being practically pure DC (direct current), which is not good for the battery. Oftentimes when a vehicle is under warranty and the whining (failed diodes) alternator is delivering its rated output, the dealership will not replace the noisy alternator under warranty....even though they really should because - besides the irritating whine noise, this alternator can damage your battery and also possibly other [more fragile] electronic circuits.

I would highly suggest replacing the alternator (if it is determined that the whining noise is coming from the alternator) even though the alternator may test to be delivering the rated output.

PS - Your dealership is not doing you any favors by telling you this is 'normal'.

Jjmuckley

Thanks to all who have replied. I will build my case and and see what I can do. It would be worth it even if if have to escalate or even pay for it myself. It's a great car except for the noise.

CouveGS

Anyone had to have their ALT replaced yet? Curious what they go for and install price. I'm hearing the same sound as well.

w9kcj

Same car same noise . I'M thinking the alternator clutch pulley could be the culprit .