2016 Toyota Tundra Whining Noise

Hello ,
Just signed up today and figured let me post about the whining engine noise my 2016 Tundra , 100k miles , developed. I hope someone finds this through a search and helps them out.

For the past 6 weeks my truck developed a whining noise. A young mechanic determined that it was coming from the power steering pump , however , I was having no power steering issues. Power steering pump changed , noise still present. Found another thread on some other forum that said it was the “idler tension bearing” , changed that , noise still present. An old school mechanic showed up and said “ put the truck up on the lift”.....he took out his 2 foot door screwdriver put it on random parts of the engine , tapped on the alternator , and said “ it’s the alternator “.....alternator changed , problem finally solved. I forgot how quiet my truck was when it started. Hope this helps out anyone out who comes across this thread.

 

Welcome from NY.

Glad he figured it out without changing unnecessary parts.

 

A good trick we used to use on the farm was a 3/4" or 1" wooden dowel, maybe 2-3 feet long, and use that to listen. Put your thumb over one end of the dowel, hold the other end on the housing holding the rotating bearing, and listen close to your thumb. It really works. Just gotta be careful around moving stuff

 

Great advice

 

So glad to find this thread. My 2017 with 49,000 miles just started having the same problem and I had no idea where to look first. Thanks!

 

I have a similar whine from my 2016 Tundra 5.7 85K and I thought sure it was the transmission. I've owned this truck for about 2 years and 12K miles and I hope it's only the alternator. I will get it checked out soon.

 

Did you ever change your alternator to see if that was what was making the whining noise on your truck? I have a ‘16 crewmax with 81,000 miles making same noise. Hoping it’s not the transmission too.

 

Or anybody else? Feel like this thread might be dead.

 

Does the whine change with increased RPMs? Does it change when sitting at a stop and turning the wheel?

Does it whine at start up or does it kick in after a bit? I'd start there.

 

Mine has been making a whining noise for about a month now. Started out of nowhere and it is most noticeable right when I start it and then less once it’s warmed up but it’s always there when starting to accelerate from a stop. It follows engine speed and rpm’s while shifting, not vehicle speed. My first check was power steering fluid level as my old 4runner had a power steering fluid leak and the sound is almost identical to that of the power steering pump when low on fluid. No leaks and fluid level is normal on the Tundra. It sounds like like it’s from the general area of the alternator, water pump and power steering pump.

 

I should have updated this forum a couple of months ago. So I took my truck to a shop I've been using for 25 years and I had them check everything out. I got my alternator changed out and the whining went away. Nice and quiet now. I went with a re-manufactured alternator with 2 years warranty versus the Toyota OEM with a 1 year warranty. And the total of the job was about $300 less, about $675.

 

Love when old threads bring value along the way! Glad it worked out for you.

 

My 2016 CM 55K miles has the same whining noise in the same area (Alternator, Power Steering Pump, Tensioner) when cold start up. I just replaced Tensioner Pulley and Serpentine Drive Belt but a whining noise still there. I don't have any problems with power steering system. What could be wrong????

Thank you,

 

Alternator whine: sometimes bearings cause it but on Denso alternators (especially the ones on these Tundras) the whine is usually from a bad diode pack. To
Test if it’s bearings or Diodes, you can unplug the connector on the alternator and start the truck. If the whine is gone, you know it’s diodes (or shorted windings) and not bearing related.

 

Here are a few pics of one of these alternators tore apart. The drive end has a Koyo bearing and the other end had a NSK bearing and that one is recessed slightly and a bear to remove without damaging the commutator.

 

Where exactly is the connector to the alternator? I need to try this, although I'm 95 percent sure my whine is the alternator.

 

It’s right there in my picture. Can’t miss it lol

 

I meant where can you get to it while it's still on the engine, I'll find it tho thanks

 

It will be above the passenger side tire

 

A little easier to get to if you remove the wheel but doable if you don’t

 

Funny. I had similar noises and ended up being bad bearing in the alternator and shortly after, bearing in tension/idle pullety. This happens right under 75,000 which was covered by Toyota from my VSA. Now the truck fires right up and quiet at idle.

 

Updated!!! Cost $30 plus 5 hrs labors the problem solved . Mine was generator rotor bearing (brush holder assembly side) BAD.