Number54

So I drove off this morning, noticing 1st gear was a bit harder to engage than usual (but it's also colder than usual outside). Eventually I start hearing whining/griding sounds. It's on and off seemingly randomly, although I never hear it on acceleration, except during an upshift. Clutch in or out and selected gear doesn't make a difference. It seems somewhat worse when I pull up to a stop as the whining often continues. At a stop, slapping 3rd gear in and out (with clutch in) a couple times frequently stopped the whining.

Also my dash flickers along with the whining sounds which is strange.

Final tidbit of info is that the whining/grinding sound is RPM sensitive, lower pitch at lower RPMs and higher pitch at higher RPMs.

Any ideas what's going on? I'm too freaked out to drive the car.

Thanks.

S4gasm (LoTR)

ever replaced the timing belt on this car?

Number54

Yup, done by STaSIS in March.

S4gasm (LoTR)

i would not drive the car until you found out the problem, it could be nothing at all, or it could be (sounds like) a bad timing belt idler /roller.

You should call stasis and ask them what TB kit they used on your car, and ask them if they replaced the idler roller, and if they did, who was it made by. Sounds like a meyle!

Captain Matt, I be

try topping off the PS fluid.

Schnell!

It could also be your accessory belt. Does your voltage fluctuate with the noise?

Number54

I didn't notice the voltage specifically, just the dash barely flickering...

Number54

Video coming...

Ram@S4-MTM

99% sure it's your alternator and/or PS pump on it's way out...

berTTos@pjK04

My accessory belt tensioner failed on my drive home from Thanksgiving and sprayed tiny ball bearings all over my engine bay.

Start the car and note the voltage. It should be at 14. If it's lower then your alternator is likely failed.

You'll likely have to get the car into service position, remove the accessory belt and test the components individually to find the culprit.