The best way I can describe the sound that I hear is running your wet finger around the top of a champagne glass. But not as high a little deeper sound, but not much. bmkar's description also works for me.

 

Has anyone figured out where this sound is coming from?

 

I remember i had something like that on the 89 it was the diaphragm from the vacuum module by the power steering pump .... the line then went up to the power booster it was a main vacuum line. I have not looked under the 2003 to see what there using on it. The noise wasn't a whine it was more like a hooooooooo you know like a vibrating diaphragm. Try the old wood pole trick when it is making the noise put the pole to your ear and put it on the various components under the hood till you hear it ....

good luck

 

The service manager at my dealership says it's "normal breakin sound". He says the crown and pinion have to set up a "gear pattern". I say we'll see........

 

The fan clutch (?) made a lot of noise in the first few hundred miles when I used the AC or defroster, kind of like a howling noise. When I first heard it I thought that the AC was broken. It'll do it once in awhile now, typically when it's warming up. I seem to recall that it needs to be broken in, and it's not unusual to make the noise.

Speaking of AC or defroster, when I saw the heater/AC control I was initially glad that they had separate AC button, but ended up being a bit disappointed when I found out that the AC is still hard wired with defroster. Anyone had luck disabling the AC from the defroster, so that the AC only turns on when the AC button is pressed ?

 

Try sub-synchronous noise generated by the turbocharger and amplified like a speaker by the muffler. Put a piece of straight pipe in place of the muffler or demand a new turbo from the dealer. Sound is called "Spooky-Hoot".

 

Anyone had luck disabling the AC from the defroster, so that the AC only turns on when the AC button is pressed ?

I did this on my Jeep. There was a small switch in the control panel that closed when in the defrost posistion. I just removed the switch. Not sure about the newer trucks, but worth a look.

 

Until the fluid is warmed, the power steering pump on the 2nd gens. howl like crazy at idle and slightly above when it's very cold....like below zero. Ahh, the "bottle sound". Reminds me of a very long thread on that waaay back when. That thread is no longer retirevable, but here's a similar thread: https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...xhaust+ringing
Sound like what you got?

 

I have the same thing as you guys, all stock 2003,48RE,no-Spin 3:73,4x4

 

Brought this thread back to the top, as I noticed a very slight howl from the rear end. Have about 550 miles on her now.

Sounds almost like a VERY distant police or ambulance siren. Very faint, but it's there.

Did a search;lots of posts on this topic, but not much agreement on a cause or cure? Anyone have any new information?

 

Take it in and have it documented. Change out the fluid, or at the very least make sure its got some in there.

 

Thanks Bula, good advice about the documentation. Interesting, this morning it wasn't there as much, and there were two distinct sounds: one sounded like a faraway hoot owl, and the other sounded like a very very faint siren.

Maybe I'm just hearing things.

 

Maybe you're just paranoid. .....Even if you were, I doubt anyone would believe you.

Oh, I was serious about checking the fluid level. All it takes is a 3/8 drive and about 5 minutes total. Unscrew the fill plug and stick a pinky into the hole and see if gets wet. Stinky finger is good.

 

No whine at all this morning. I AM going crazy.

 

Oh, I was serious about checking the fluid level. All it takes is a 3/8 drive and about 5 minutes total. Unscrew the fill plug and stick a pinky into the hole and see if gets wet. Stinky finger is good.

Bulalbula- When I checked mine, it was about 3/4" below the fill plug. Dodge is saying not to fill it to the fill plug. The service rep at the place I bought the truck told me the howl was " normal breakin sound" and reported that to Dodge. Finally I took it to another dealer, and a mechanic went with me for a test drive. He said I needed the new gears. Had them replaced yesterday and guess what? No more howling! It's not right, and it's not your imagination. These guys have replaced other sets on the '03's for the same problem.