'25 Overtrail+ Makes a "Cicada" Like noise under the hood every couple minutes when driving

[Sonny]

Hi all,

I have a '25 Overtrail+ with about 10k miles on it. I just noticed that when I'm driving theres a noise that comes up every few minutes and only lasts maybe 6-8 seconds that sounds, as best as I can describe, like a cicada is "whirring" under the hood (if you dont know the sound you can google, but they live everywhere around me so its the best I can relate). It starts somewhat quiet then builds only slightly louder and then stops and I wait a few minutes and it repeats exactly as it did before. Its not very loud but certainly present.

If I'm at a stop I dont hear the sound. It seems to happen irrespective of RPM/speed as long as I'm moving say about 20-30mph at least. I don't think its the engine, I imagine it might be something loose with an air intake or .... something. I can try and get a recording of it when I'm off work. Just wondering if anyone has heard anything similar. Sorry if this description is kind of vague.

 

[GR8Santini]

Know those damn critters well. Might start by going underneath & doing cursory look for anything loose. Just one pin left out of place on a lower panel can make noise.

 

[TexLex]

I have the same thing, I cannot tell whether it is a vibration or an electrical interference buzz coming out of a speaker. I can't pinpoint it, but it is somewhere within 100 degrees forward of the drivers position.

 

[Sonny]

I have the same thing, I cannot tell whether it is a vibration or an electrical interference buzz coming out of a speaker. I can't pinpoint it, but it is somewhere within 100 degrees forward of the drivers position.

I dont think its a speaker ... if I turn my volume all the way down it still persists, but maybe I need to turn the sound system completely off to be sure. It almost sounds like something charging/discharging over 5 seconds repeatedly. As far as I can tell its the same exact length, frequency, volume, etc each time it happens. If it gets worse ill take it in. Its not really bothersome at the moment and I only hear it when I dont have the music up.

I heard it today because I was on a phone call and heard it in between talking.

 

[TexLex]

I dont think its a speaker ... if I turn my volume all the way down it still persists, but maybe I need to turn the sound system completely off to be sure. It almost sounds like something charging/discharging over 5 seconds repeatedly. As far as I can tell its the same exact length, frequency, volume, etc each time it happens. If it gets worse ill take it in. Its not really bothersome at the moment and I only hear it when I dont have the music up.

I heard it today because I was on a phone call and heard it in between talking.

I agree I hear it when I turn my audio off, but those speakers are still on even when the audio is off (warnings and engine noise for example)

 

[Sonny]

I agree I hear it when I turn my audio off, but those speakers are still on even when the audio is off (warnings and engine noise for example)

makes sense, not sure why it goes away when im idle though. Unless its a physical relationship with the force of the wind blowing through somehow and causing this interaction.

 

[Sonny]

So I figured out that this is completely unrelated to the engine, but its something with the fan/AC system. Its coming from the drivers side left vent, and only occurs when the fan is on and the vehicle is in motion. At a stop with the fan on, nothing. While driving with the fan off, nothing. Will continue diagnosing ... the hum was almost impossible to pick up in the recording on my phone so I wont even bother posting.

 

[wla1mjd]

I've encountered two similar noises... the A/C compressor on the accessory drive (you can test by seeing if turning off the A/C makes it go away) and the driver's side ventilated seat fan (make sure it's set to off not auto to see if it goes away).

 

[Sonny]

I've encountered two similar noises... the A/C compressor on the accessory drive (you can test by seeing if turning off the A/C makes it go away) and the driver's side ventilated seat fan (make sure it's set to off not auto to see if it goes away).

sorry stupid question but what/where is the accessory drive? And by turning off the A/C do you mean just pressing the AC button and making sure its off (fan still on) or both A/C and fan? when i turn the fan off .. the sound goes away.

Either way, did you take yours in to fix the issue or just dealt with it? Thanks!

 

[wla1mjd]

sorry stupid question but what/where is the accessory drive? And by turning off the A/C do you mean just pressing the AC button and making sure its off (fan still on) or both A/C and fan? when i turn the fan off .. the sound goes away.

Either way, did you take yours in to fix the issue or just dealt with it? Thanks!

All good... the Accessory drive, AKA serpentine belt, is the main drive belt at the front of the engine that turns the A/C compressor. If you turn the climate controls off instead of auto (make sure the coolbox is off too). That will completely turn off that component.
It's a known issue as others have noted, I've pretty much tuned it out now.

The driver's side seat is frustrating, but I haven't addressed it with the dealer yet. It's been too intermittent for them to replicate and troubleshoot.