Whine Underhood - 2003 Tahoe - Sounds electrical

[JWall]

Looking for some help with this whining noise in the video below.
It's on the wife’s 2003 Tahoe 5.3.
It’s an intermittent noise that sounds electrical to me.
To me, it appears to becoming from top of the engine on the drivers side.
No Check Engine Lights, No codes, No loss in performance & the noise changes little to none with RPM increase.
I’ve checked the common ground behind the passenger side head issue.
I also replaced the alternator & pcv with no effect on the noise.
I’ve seen others say they have this issue but no solutions for it. Thanks in advance!
(Sorry for the weird lighting videoed under a neon sign at night)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tipV1Nuz8C8

[allchevy58]

Originally Posted by JWall

Looking for some help with this whining noise in the video below.
It's on the wife’s 2003 Tahoe 5.3.
It’s an intermittent noise that sounds electrical to me.
To me, it appears to becoming from top of the engine on the drivers side.
No Check Engine Lights, No codes, No loss in performance & the noise changes little to none with RPM increase.
I’ve checked the common ground behind the passenger side head issue.
I also replaced the alternator & pcv with no effect on the noise.
I’ve seen others say they have this issue but no solutions for it. Thanks in advance!
(Sorry for the weird lighting videoed under a neon sign at night)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tipV1Nuz8C8

Sounds like a bearing, take the belt off, start it and see if it goes away. Check idler pulley.

[JWall]

Originally Posted by allchevy58

Sounds like a bearing, take the belt off, start it and see if it goes away. Check idler pulley.

The issue is it doesn't do it right away when you start it, you have to drive it for a while before it will do it.
And if you turn it off while its doing it (to say take the belt off) it will stop & not start making the noise for a while.

It will also make the noise for a while then stop all while driving & without turning it off.

I guess I can throw an idler pulley at it & see. They are cheap enough. Although this sure doesn't seem belt drive related.

[CarolinaHD]

Had a 99 suburban and my 04 Tahoe that make similar noises but not as high pitched in that video. Both were the alternator making noise but not the bearings.

[JWall]

Originally Posted by CarolinaHD

Had a 99 suburban and my 04 Tahoe that make similar noises but not as high pitched in that video. Both were the alternator making noise but not the bearings.

Ever find a cure? Or did new alternator fix it?
My Old & New alternator have no affect on the noise.

[CarolinaHD]

New alternator fixed both for me. I would do as suggested and start with the idler pulley.

[JWall]

Originally Posted by CarolinaHD

New alternator fixed both for me. I would do as suggested and start with the idler pulley.

I'm going to try the idler pulley, cheap enough no harm in trying.
Thanks