I know I have read a tech article or two on this, and I checked some stuff too. But here is my question. My 2000 Dodge Neon with a 5-speed manual has a increasing whirring noise that comes only when engine is going and increases with RPMs. I checked manual trans fluid and found it to be full and of good color and smell. Had one drive belt replaced last fall. But recently noted that battery may need replacing and/or alternator may be the cause as bearing going bad? Reasoning: battery light flickered on and then off once last week at intersection. Power still good in car, but when blinkers on when car off, they stop after about 10 minutes. Do I have a double do for replacement here on battery and possibly alternator????

 

Several possibles. Could be waterpump, powersteering, a/c compressor or belt tensioner also. You need a cheap mechanics stethoscope to pinpoint.

 

Id replace the battery, and does the whirring sound electrical or mechanical in the engine or under the car?

Could be fuel pump or fuel filter too.

 

I sorta wonder if it is due to the battery too. Twice now I have had the battery light blink on momentarily at an intersection light. Once a week ago and again yesterday. Always at low RPM's too. I also say this as when blinkers on when off, they only stay on about 10 minutes and then safety over-ride on battery shuts them off to just solid, no blink.

Assuming this all that this is, alternator may be working hard or harder to charge a limp battery? Thus whirring is well, in that area. Although no power loss on road and such.

 

my friend just had the same problem on his chrysler... my mech. replaced the torque converter and fixed the whole problem..

 

Try to pin-point the noise. You need to know where its coming from if you don't have a stethescope, use a long screw driver (be careful with moving parts!!!!!!!!!) put the metal end on parts of the motor and listen to the handle end. Once you have an idea where its coming from post back and then we can help a lot more. It could be an alternator, clutch, axel, trans, water pump, any bad bearing.

 

Final scenario. 2 days ago coming back from dropping wife off, battery light came on and stayed on....

DID test alternator and had good charge and battery SOLID after 2 days out too.

Anyway, pulled over and smelled buring brushes. ALTERNATOR! Nursed it home slowly knowing it could lockup at any moment. Betting on Dodge durability to prove its worth, I made it home. Popped open hood and saw RED alternator glowing up at me. YIKES! Needless to say, this is a one owner 2000 Dodge Neon Highline since 3 miles new when I bought it. Hit in rear hard 2 years back by Durango, hail damaged, one blown clutch, and then hit to front side last fall by Intrepid at lights (their fault also). Car was totalled out on last hit at 123,000+ miles. Bought back at $400 cash and figured just drive til done. Bent hood straight, tunned up once and just changed fluids. But now alternator cooked, tranny or CV slight thunking. You know what's next.

Wife wants an automatic, and we wanted to trade one of 2 vehicles. Dealer offers to take 2000 Neon, problems too at 1,300 trade value. (NOT BAD!) I figured it would be a parts seller in driveway. Soooooo, we towed it in, and have received in its place a 2005 Dodge SXT with 4-speed automatic (wife's needs). At only 8,600 on the dial, this will hopefully be a good trade since warranty still valid too. Other than having dealer fix A/C that wasn't running, she's real smooth and cherry yet. This will be my 5th Dodge Neon since 1997. And no complaints yet if one wants to know..... except their cease in production.


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