By Steven on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 01:09 am: Edit

In my new to me '96, I do notice that on acceleration or RPM above 2000, a high pitched whine - kind of like what could be mistaken for electrical interference in a radio - is just audible. If I turn on the Stereo, moderate volume, it can't even be heard. It relates to engine RPM, and is present while in Neutral, as well as drive. Any ideas,reassurances or dire predictions??

By Rob on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 09:31 am: Edit

If you had a '95 I would say that is natural but what you are describing sounds as if the radio is not grounded properly. Do you have a Land Rover Radio in there?

By garrett on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 10:31 am: Edit

I have a '96 and it does the same thing. Use to have a '94 and it was not as bad at all. I just assumed it was the transfer case whine that is typical in some Discos. But I guess that is only common to the '95's. Well maybe it is common to the '96's now too. Nothing else seems to be wrong and it has been doing this since I have had it......just about a year now. It annoys some people, but it does not really bother me at all. Put your windows down or the stereo up. Good luck. PS: What is the production date of your LR??

By Roverine on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 12:15 pm: Edit

I'm curious too. Same thing with mine, and I've got a new '01 Disco SE7 (only 2800 miles on it!). With mine, I noticed it right after I brought it home, only it wouldn't start to occur until speeds of between 60 - 65 mph. I mentioned it to the service manager when I had it in there. They insisted on putting a new T case in ... "it just makes more noise than some, 4 out of 10 can be like that, (yeah, yeah, I know) ... yadda, yadda, yadda". So, I finally said yes. It stopped the noise. For about 600 miles. Now it makes an even louder "low level, high pitched whine" even when it's idling! My husband doesn't have the time to mess with it, so I'm at the mercy of my service dept. at my local LR. If I bring it in, it will be the 4th time since I've owned it, (for other assorted "bugs") and I would just like to drive the %*## vehicle I'm making payments on, instead of their crummy free rentals. Don't even know if this definitely is the same exact thing, but I'll keep you posted when and if I get it fixed soon. Let me know what else you find out?

Best wishes,
Kim

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 01:08 pm: Edit

May just be harmonic resonance from pieces/parts moving about as they do their job. What can you do? I also have strange noises - purrs, groans, whines, whistles, etc. - at certain RPMs...all systems check out normal so I just assume that that is the way it is. I also get a nice rattle in my dash at certain RPMs that a fist takes care of every time (I guess the fist technique won't help with the T-case, though).

I'm surprised that LR is willing to dismantle Kim's Disco (at their cost!) to remedy odd sounds - more power to you, Kim!

By garrett on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 01:14 pm: Edit

Like one of the previous posts mentioned, make sure it is not your stereo interference. Make sure it is turned off when you are listening for the sound. Especially aftermarket stereos. The sounds can be very similar, but the t-case will change pitchs slightly with different rpm levels. (but then so does the stereo) A better ground loop in the stereo can sometimes fix this. Technically if they have not fixed the problem and this being their 4th attempt you should still be within the 'lemon law'. But that is a major hassle. If you can just live with the whine, but if not you may be in for a little game with your local dealer.
Anyhow.......good luck.

By GregAdams on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 04:21 pm: Edit

You are most likely describing transfer case gear whine. Most folks haven't driven gear-driven transfer cases. They make more noise than their chain-driven counterparts, especially at speed.

By Roverine on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 05:48 pm: Edit

Thanks all, you've each kind of mirrored a lot of thoughts I've had, (so for me especially, that's comforting).

For some reason, (and I couldn't tell you why - I'm no mechanic that's for sure!) my first gut instinct was T Box again. (Big sigh ...) I'm just too tempted to ignore it. I may go on a little "get to know your Rover" (or whatever they call those sweet little clinics they have) on June 1st, and I'll ask the guys about it then. John, (the service manager, and the guy who seems to lead the clinics) has been a true stand up guy, and a great help with the other service issues - (he also didn't laugh at me to my face, at least, when I came back in missing 2 brand new tires from the desert) - The previous visits into service were all quite different: 1) replace a 3rd row seat that was nonfunctional from straight out of the port 2) T Box replacement 3) replaced coolant hose, (and thermostat, too just to be on the safe side(??) evening before I was heading out to Anza (THANK the good stars above, I noticed the coolant on the garage floor when my dh backed it out to fill it with gas!) BTY: (For anyone who cares) I was told the design is new(?) for the hoses - they now have the clamp built into them, so when it's a leak at the clamp, (as was in this case) they have to replace the entire hose(?!?). Still scratching my head about the new thermostat too, but better safe than sorry(?). Oh, I see I'm rambling again off subject (blush, sorry!).

Garret,
Thanks for bringing up the stereo issue - yes, usually the first thing I do when I think I hear something a little odd or different, is turn the stereo off (however, I may be in a little "denial" , and who knows, maybe I've just turned it down instead of off, lately. I'll check again.)

Good day (or evening) to all of you,
Kim :o)

By Steven on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 01:46 am: Edit

Thanks for the footlocker worth of info. I guess I should have been a bit more clear about the radio thing. I get the noise with the radio (LR issue) off. It just has that characteristic similar to an interference whine. As Garret said, the T-box can make a sound similar in it's frequency changes to radio interference. That's my observation at this point. It seems to be coming from just behind (or below) the firewall. BTW, production date was 10/95

By RVR OVR (Tom) on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 01:50 am: Edit

Steven,

When I hear a low-level, high-pitched whine, I usually just tell her to shut up and that we are not going to tip over. Give that a try.



Tom

By Frank on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 05:57 am: Edit

Kim with the 01' Disco Se7, my 1999 DSII has had a whining transfer case since new. Same thing as yours it started out at speeds of about 60 mph. I have about 30000 miles on it now and it's still making the noise. I just don't notice it anymore. Good luck getting it fixed. let me know if you do.

Best of luck,

Frank

By ross on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 09:00 am: Edit

guys i have a 98 disco i heard a whine too. my viscouse coupling was not working thus the fan would constantly be on. affects the pickup and whine starts as soon as you turn the car on as oppose to waiting till the car gets hot.

By Steve (Oz93discov8) on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 09:47 am: Edit

Sounds like the centre diff (transfer case) - common characteristic of LR constant 4WD not anything to worry about. One theory is that LR cut their gears a little "squarer" for strength but the downside is gear noise. Enjoy!!

By Kevin Kastner on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 02:31 pm: Edit

Funny, I went through the same thing with my 2000 Disco II. It was quiet from new to about 6,000 mi. then started making noise at speed. LR replaced the transfer case and it seemed better for a while...until it started leaking gear oil from a cover plate on the case. Back to LR for a healthy dose of silicone treatment. After the gear oil was replaced and the leak repaired...the noise returned. Now I am getting the response from LR that "it's a characteristic of the vehicle" response. Whatever. It is still annoying regardless of whether it is "normal". This is not what I bought in the beginning, so it is abnormal as far as I am concerned.

By Kevin Kastner on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 02:33 pm: Edit

Response redundant response.
The noise has increased over time and is noticeable at low speeds more so now than ever before. Grrr.