High-pitched whine when starting in cold weather

We just bought our '08 CR-V EX 4WD. Great car except there is a loud high pitched whine coming from the engine bay on the passenger side when started cold . Once the car warms up the noise goes away. Took it to the dealer where they said it was a bad power steering pump. Well, after leaving the car at dealer for a week while they got the part the car still has that sound and I didn't find out about it until I started it the next morning when it was cold.

Anyone else with a similar problem?

Any suggestions on what's going on before I have to drop it off at the dealer again??

This is a pain since I can't just "go" to the dealer; I have to leave it there overnight so its cold and the mechanics can hear the whine.

thanks,
Dave Munoz

I personally have no clue, but I'm just curious as to why I've been reading a lot of posts about the newer CR-Vs whereas V's like mine (98) haven't been having some of these same issues? is it just because the newer ones need to be "broken in" a bit or something?

This morning 23 degrees I turned on my fan and there was high pitch whine. Turn the fan off it goes away. Turn back on its there. After it warmed up it was gone. I have almost 5000 miles on it and this is the first time I heard it. I think this might be your problem too. I am going to see if it happens tomorrow if it does then I contact Honda.
Scott

Dave-

I have a new 2008 CR-V also (just got it this weekend). Monday when I went out to start the car (it was cold out), I too heard the same high pitched whine coming from the engine compartment. The whine surprised me as well. I have test drove the car 4 times and don't recall ever hearing it before. I am not sure if it is a cold weather thing, a new enginer thing or what. Hopefully someone else who appears to have this problem and has found the reason will write in...

Cheers,
Tom

We have the same problem with our 2008 CR-V EXL AWD. We got it mid Feb. 08. It is worst when the engine is cold.

My son had a similar sound with his old Land Rover Discovery and it was an idler pulley bearing on the serpentine belt.

Hope we find out soon!

thanks for eveyone's input.

I will take the car back to another dealer with better service this week and get back with you on what they say.

Its definitely not the power steering pump as the first dealer assessed.

Dave

Ok, so after going to a second dealer the problem still hasn't been fixed.

this time the dealer called Honda and they told them to change the power steering pump suction hose.

Well, still have the same annoying whine during cold starts.

This is starting to taste like a "lemon"...if third time doesn't get problem fixed I want my money back!

Anybody ever have to ask for a refund, replacement vehicle as a result of a defect??

thanks

I bought my 2008 EX 4WD about a week ago. I too have the whining when the engine is cold. It only occurs in the morning.

Ok, so after going to a second dealer the problem still hasn't been fixed.

this time the dealer called Honda and they told them to change the power steering pump suction hose.

Well, still have the same annoying whine during cold starts.

This is starting to taste like a "lemon"...if third time doesn't get problem fixed I want my money back!

Anybody ever have to ask for a refund, replacement vehicle as a result of a defect??

thanks


Any chance you could post a video with sound so we can hear what you're talking about?
It sounds similar to what others mention as normal, but without hearing it, it's impossible to tell.

The Honda dealer diagnosed my problem also as a bad power steering pump. He ordered the part and it will arrive next week. I just bought my car last week so I asked my salesman about all this. He says every CR-V makes this whining sound when cold. It sounds like Honda has a problem and has yet to issue a recall for the bad power steering pumps. They're just waiting for buyers to complain and replace them one at a time. Maybe they're trying to save money that way?
:confused:
PS - I don't think this makes your car a lemon. I doubt a noise like this is grounds for getting a refund. It doesn't interfere with the operation of the car. It's just a little annoying for 5-10 mins in the morning.

I wouldn't say a noisy steering pump means it's bad, but a steering pump going bad can be noisy. The fact that it quiets down once the vehicle is warm just says to me there might have been a design flaw or compromise made when the pumps were developed but just because all the CRVs make this noise does not mean every one has a bad steering pump. If you had a bad steering pump you'd know it. I'll be curious to see if yours quiets down after the new pump is installed.

New power steering pump did the trick. No more loud whining in the morning. Theres still a soft whine anytime but it's not annoying.:o