Whining noise near motor with acceleration and deceleration of RPM, power steering fluid level is normal.

After a road trip I heard the whining noise. Changed the alternator and checked power steering fluid level which was at a normal operating level. Still hear the whining noise, kinda sounds like a pissed off cat. The noise is directly correlated with the RPM of the engine when it accelerates and decelerates.

My car has 165000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. Loved the sound description! In most cases, this type of noise is caused by a loose serpentine belt or worn out pulley on one of the accessories it powers. You might want to have a professional mechanic come to your location and complete a car is making a noise inspection so they can pinpoint the source of the upset kitty noise and recommend the right repairs.

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While the transmission is the most likely cause, whining while accelerating can also be caused by low power steering fluid or more serious damage like faulty alternator bearings, a malfunctioning water pump, a broken piston or a bad AC compressor.
Trapped Air In The Power Steering Fluid Or Pump

It`s possible the whining noise is simply coming from trapped air bubbles in your power steering fluid. If you suspect this is the case, you can confirm it by removing the cap from the power steering fluid reservoir and checking if any bubbles or froth has formed in it.

Common reasons for this to happen:

Low Transmission Fluid: For both manual and automatic transmissions, the primary cause for whining when in gear is low transmission fluid. If the fluid is too low, then the internal components of the transmission are not lubricated properly.

A “whirring” sound generated by unloading via deceleration from most any regular road speed can likely be traced to pinion bearing failure or poor pinion bearing preload. This malady is often diagnosed as a bad ring and pinion gear.
Whining noise while accelerating can be caused by several things, including low levels of steering fluid, the steering pump, a leak in the pump, the alternator, wheel bearings, loose or worn belts, the transmission, brakes, and the exhaust.
A damaged fuel pump might make a loud, whining sound that you`ll hear from your gas tank. The pump may also make this noise if you`re low on fuel or the fuel in your tank is contaminated. The normal noise your pump makes is a low hum.
Failing alternator bearings can produce a persistent whining or grinding noise up to the point of total failure. There are needle bearings that allow the rotor to spin freely inside the stator.
If you notice a squealing or whining noise whenever the wheels turn, there is a strong possibility that it is due to low power steering fluid. The power steering system uses a pump so the fluid can flow for smooth steering.
If you hear a whining noise from your car`s engine, it may mean much the same thing: there`s a component that`s worn out. If these parts break or wear down entirely, they could cause damage, so hearing a whining sound means that it`s time to schedule a service appointment.
Whirring or Whining

Whirring and whining noises from the engine vary as the car runs fast or slow. These sounds can indicate a number of different problems, including a failing water pump, a bad power steering pump, low power steering fluid, a failing alternator, or problems with the air-conditioning system.

A loud squeaking or squealing noise while accelerating could mean there`s a problem with your engine belt. It could mean the belt`s loose or worn. Or it could mean that one of the belt`s pulleys is starting to fail. A loud rumbling noise when accelerating might suggest there`s a problem with your exhaust system.
The sound you are hearing is air leaking across a damaged gasket or a warped sealing surface. With the throttle closed, or in deceleration mode, the manifold pressure is very low and if there is a leak anywhere in the induction system that should normally be sealed, you will hear the (very common) whistle.
Should the whining noise of your transmission continue whenever your vehicle is in gear, this can mean there is a problem occurring in your torque converter. Check to see if the noise desists when you shift the vehicle to park or neutral. A constant whining noise when your car is in gear needs professional attention.
Noise. Your fuel pump always makes a low humming sound, but usually, you can`t hear it. If you hear a loud whining noise coming from your gas tank, the fuel pump is going bad. This is also a sign that the gas tank is dirty and contaminated.
A loud squeaking or squealing noise while accelerating could mean there`s a problem with your engine belt. It could mean the belt`s loose or worn. Or it could mean that one of the belt`s pulleys is starting to fail. A loud rumbling noise when accelerating might suggest there`s a problem with your exhaust system.
Check the brake system and see if the caliper or rotor is damaged on the driver side wheel. Since the noise only occurs when decelerating to a stop, then there could be an issue with the brakes.
A “whirring” noise while decelerating at any speed is most likely caused by bad pinion bearings or loose pinion bearing preload. This condition is typically always diagnosed as a bad ring and pinion gear.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Whining noise near motor with acceleration and deceleration of RPM, power steering fluid level is normal.
ANSWER : Hi there. Loved the sound description! In most cases, this type of noise is caused by a loose serpentine belt or worn out pulley on one of the accessories it powers. You might want to have a professional mechanic come to your location and complete a car is making a noise inspection so they can pinpoint the source of the upset kitty noise and recommend the right repairs.

Power steering fluid groaning noise. Power steering leak?
ANSWER : Hello. A groaning noise is an indication of low power steering fluid. If you had your power steering fluid serviced about 5 months ago and it is making a groaning noise again most likely means your power steering pump has gone bad or your power steering leak has going from minor to moderate. I can tell you that Honda Accords are one of the most common vehicles for a power steering pump leak to occur on and require a pump replacement. If not a leaking pump it could be power steering hose leaking fluid. I suggest that you have a power steering fluid leak inspection done otherwise you will have to keep filling up your power steering reservoir until it is fixed.

https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/power-steering-fluid-is-leaking-inspection

power steering fluid is leaking
ANSWER : With a power steering fluid leak that big, you certainly should have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible to find the exact cause. Any of the components you listed can be the source of the leak. The power steering pump as well as the rack & pinion steering unit rely on the fluid for lubrication as well as cooling. The whining you hear is from the pump when the fluid runs low or empty. Your issue can be caused by something as simple as a fluid hose right now, but continued ’running dry" of the power steering fluid, can result in damage to both the pump and the rack & pinion unit. If that happens, you can take what may be a repair of a few hundred dollars and turn it into a repair of a couple of thousand dollars.

Major Leak of power steering fluid
ANSWER : Hello…it sounds like you have a loose or faulty hose connection. Of course, it is also possible that a coincidental leak developed, for instance in a rusted steel tube on the return side, at the same time that you were doing this repair. A YourMechanic specialist could diagnosis this for you and assist you with the repair of your power steering and inspect your vehicle for leaks.

Very loud pop when turning sharp left leaking transmission or power steering fluid where steering column meet rack
ANSWER : Hi there. If everything else has already been installed from the donor vehicle then it sounds like the high pressure hose is all that you need to install. The hardest part of doing this is the routing. One thing you may also want to double check is that the donor vehicle and your 2003 Escape have the same rack. There are different models depending on the model and the size of your wheels. You need to install the pressure line first, but if it does not line up then you may have the wrong rack installed. If you would like some assistance installing this hose, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [replace your high pressure steering hose] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/power-steering-pressure-hose-replacement

had power steering pump replaced but power steering fluid is leaking
ANSWER : This suggests that you may have a leak somewhere else in your power steering system such as one of the hoses or the rack and pinion system. As you may know, the power steering system is a highly pressurized system that can have as much as 300+psi of pressure in the system at times, so it is not uncommon for these types of leaks to happen. If you’d like to get this fixed, I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose the leak in your power steering system and make the the necessary repairs to fix it.

power steering problem.
ANSWER : Hello. Noise could be a sign of trapped air, low fluid level, or a mechanical fault in the pump. While the system is cold, check the fluid level. If the fluid level is OK, remove the cap and turn the steering wheel left and right to full extent while it is on. If there is air in the system, that will help purge it. Replace the cap. If the noise remains, it needs to be determined if it is coming from the pump or another accessory, pulley, or belt. YourMechanic has experts in this type of power steering diagnosis and once the fault is found, they will let you know of the cost to repair.

Gm I need a power steering pump or should I get power steering fluid? I have leaks coming out what should I do
ANSWER : If the power steering pump is leaking then you should replace the pump since it is under pressure and no stop leak will stop it from leaking.