I have a 2003 SO with 48RE transmission and 2000 miles on it. Towed my Fifth wheel camper with it for the first time and noticed a strange noise. Hard to describe... not a clunk or thud and not a screech. Anyway It only happens as you accelerate fairly hard as the truck reaches correct highway speed and upshifts I get this ... whine... seems sort of on right side. Did it two or three times during tow then seemed to go away. Two days later drove the truck into mountains (not towing). The whine came back again only when it has an abrupt upshift. I could reproduce it on demand by accelerating quickly from 5 mph to 20 mph then easing off the accelerator. Came back to Denver and now can not get truck to do it again. Hate to take to dealer if I cant reproduce noise. Any other people have this occur should I be worried or just ignore. Any advice appreciated.

 

You might check the alternator bracket to see if its cracked. When they crack they make a loud buzzing sound. There was a TSB on this problem on the 03's. Go to this web site schroll down to electrical and check out TSB 08-007-03

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2003-index.htm#08_electrical

Hope this helps..........

 

thanks for th input but I do not think that is it.

 

I think you are just hearing your turbo spool up. I can hear mine under the same conditions as you describe. Also, it is really noticable under a long, hard, sustained pull while towing.

 

I was going to guess turbo whine also.

 

When I pull my trailer I get more of a "Bark" from the turbo. It always happens when I'm accelerating and the tranny shifts into overdrive. I think I read somewhere that this is caused by air that rushes back into the turbo because the engine can't swallow all of the air that is being packed into it. Whenever this happens, passengers freak out and say, "what was that?"

 

Tell 'em what I do,......"Hmmmmm, musta sucked in another "ricer".

 

Yeah I guess a bark is as good a description as any. Like I said it is hard to categorize. Anyone else hear this? Nothing to worry about?