Guys:
My Jeep makes a very high pitched ear piercing sound about every 10 to 15 seconds, the sounds last five seconds or so, on or off throttle, as long as its moving this goes on.
The sound is actually not very loud, just so high pitched it drives me nuts. My father couldn't even hear it. Sounds like a hearing test... or one of those teenager repellent sounds lol
Any ideas on what it could be? I guess I have to find a dealer around here and bring it in... I hope it isn't normal.
The only other QC issue I found is the power lift gate button in the trunk. It is loose, about an inch up on one side, and the trim around it looks like it's stained with baby powder.
I met with the shop foreman of my dealer's service department yesterday afternoon. He asked if I could reproduce the noise while we were sitting in the vehicle in the parking lot. So, I revved up the engine to the appropriate RPM range (it's amazingly hard to hold the engine at a steady RPM while sitting still) and, thankfully, the noise was very evident. One advantage of doing it that way was no road noise, so we were able to hear the A/C compressor cycling on and off. He noted that the noise occurred right after the compressor cycled on. He even had an idea of where it might be coming from - he mentioned a valve or orifice that the refrigerant passes through when converting from a liquid to a gas. He said that he had never heard an A/C system make that noise and agreed that it shouldn't be doing it. His next step is to contact Chrysler to see if they know about the problem and to get further direction from them. It will be interesting to see if he gets the same response reported by jonboverland (it's a known issue with no fix). I'll let you all know as soon as I hear something.
I met with the shop foreman of my dealer's service department yesterday afternoon. He asked if I could reproduce the noise while we were sitting in the vehicle in the parking lot. So, I revved up the engine to the appropriate RPM range (it's amazingly hard to hold the engine at a steady RPM while sitting still) and, thankfully, the noise was very evident. One advantage of doing it that way was no road noise, so we were able to hear the A/C compressor cycling on and off. He noted that the noise occurred right after the compressor cycled on. He even had an idea of where it might be coming from - he mentioned a valve or orifice that the refrigerant passes through when converting from a liquid to a gas. He said that he had never heard an A/C system make that noise and agreed that it shouldn't be doing it. His next step is to contact Chrysler to see if they know about the problem and to get further direction from them. It will be interesting to see if he gets the same response reported by jonboverland (it's a known issue with no fix). I'll let you all know as soon as I hear something.
I wish you the best of luck krpatrick and hope they get it resolved. Once you hear that noise, it won't get out of your head! Please let us know the outcome.
I have this noise. Noticed it for the first time a week ago when I had to drive 240 miles with AC on. It doesn't drive me crazy but it is somewhat annoying. It is very quiet and high-pitched and when radio is on I don't hear it at all.
Hello all. First of all, thank you for taking the time to post about this issue. Your posts have been a great help to me. I've been dealing with it since purchasing my 2011 GC in Oct 2010. I initially felt it was an air intake issue with the V6, and felt it might just go away as the engine found it's "groove". This was not the case, and in early May 2011 I took it in for an oil change and to fix the sound issue. I hadn't yet found this message board at the time. I described the sound as if you were listening to music and the guitar would feedback every fifteen or so seconds. The dealership (Orlando Chrysler Dodge Jeep) was befuddled much in the way several of you state having experienced. They of course did not hear the sound after inspection. I then researched online further and discovered your posts here. I printed the posts and took them to the dealer. They inspected the vehicle and again found no noise. I went back directly and had the tech ride with me. Thirty seconds on the road, I pointed it out and he confirmed it. His assessment - the AC valve some of you have also discovered to be the issue. He contacted Chrysler who instructed him to replace a part that they sent. A week later I returned and had the part replaced. I was called the next day and was told the sound was gone. No less than one mile drive away from the dealership the noise was heard. I called the dealership and the service person I was dealing with told me there was nothing more they could do. I called his supervisor and then the GM of the dealership. I received an invite to return the vehicle for another check. I also took it upon myself to record the issue. I created a short video depicting the issue clearly. I returned the vehicle with the dvd in hand. Later in the day the Service Manager called me and said the technician called Chrysler and reported the problem but that was all the dealership would do. My latest service receipt states this, "Roadtest and can hear a faint sound coming from right side at times. No abnormal problems found A/C system working as designed normal gas pressure noise through evaparator coil. No further repairs at this time." I assured the Service Manager that the sound might be faint to someone who drove the car for ten minutes but certainly not to owners like me or the several of you who own and drive the car daily. I have begun the lemon law process. I will not stand for this. I certainly will never be back to Orlando Chrysler Dodge Jeep. Even if the car is repaired I'll have it serviced at the Honda dealership across the street from Jeep. Much luck to us all...
Hello all. First of all, thank you for taking the time to post about this issue. Your posts have been a great help to me. I've been dealing with it since purchasing my 2011 GC in Oct 2010. I initially felt it was an air intake issue with the V6, and felt it might just go away as the engine found it's "groove". This was not the case, and in early May 2011 I took it in for an oil change and to fix the sound issue. I hadn't yet found this message board at the time. I described the sound as if you were listening to music and the guitar would feedback every fifteen or so seconds. The dealership (Orlando Chrysler Dodge Jeep) was befuddled much in the way several of you state having experienced. They of course did not hear the sound after inspection. I then researched online further and discovered your posts here. I printed the posts and took them to the dealer. They inspected the vehicle and again found no noise. I went back directly and had the tech ride with me. Thirty seconds on the road, I pointed it out and he confirmed it. His assessment - the AC valve some of you have also discovered to be the issue. He contacted Chrysler who instructed him to replace a part that they sent. A week later I returned and had the part replaced. I was called the next day and was told the sound was gone. No less than one mile drive away from the dealership the noise was heard. I called the dealership and the service person I was dealing with told me there was nothing more they could do. I called his supervisor and then the GM of the dealership. I received an invite to return the vehicle for another check. I also took it upon myself to record the issue. I created a short video depicting the issue clearly. I returned the vehicle with the dvd in hand. Later in the day the Service Manager called me and said the technician called Chrysler and reported the problem but that was all the dealership would do. My latest service receipt states this, "Roadtest and can hear a faint sound coming from right side at times. No abnormal problems found A/C system working as designed normal gas pressure noise through evaparator coil. No further repairs at this time." I assured the Service Manager that the sound might be faint to someone who drove the car for ten minutes but certainly not to owners like me or the several of you who own and drive the car daily. I have begun the lemon law process. I will not stand for this. I certainly will never be back to Orlando Chrysler Dodge Jeep. Even if the car is repaired I'll have it serviced at the Honda dealership across the street from Jeep. Much luck to us all...
Hi TylerC, I feel your pain. After numerous trips to Jeep dealership, the only advice I received to avoid this issue was blast the AC, listen to the radio louder, and drive without AC, which cannot be done in Texas.
Not being satisfied with the answer Chrysler gave me, which was the same one they gave you, I traded-in my Overland just over a month ago after only 6 months of ownership. I initially investigated pursuing the Lemon Law, but that process was too long and required more effort than simply trading in my vehicle. For a comparison, I was able to trade it in for $33,500, (V6 Overland with running boards, 4600 miles). This worked out great because I saved about $3,000 on taxes for the new vehichle I bought. (taxes are only applied on the difference between the trade-in and new vehicle price, something I was not aware of).
Anyway, just wanted to say I feel your frustration, and to consider trading in your vehicle instead of Lemon Law. That was very cathartic for me. Best of luck!
So, I gave up on the service department of the dealership close to my house and took the GC back to the dealership where I bought it, assuming they would be more motivated to fix the issue. The tech spent most of the day today troubleshooting the issue, then finally gave up and contacted Chrysler. They recommended the same thing reported by TylerC - expansion valve replacement. The part has been ordered and I'll be taking the GC back in next week to have the fix made when the part arrives. However, based on TylerC's experience, I not very hopeful.
Interestingly, a Google search returned a TSB on the Dodge neon, dated 2/9/96, that seems to describe this exact issue (though the RPM range is a little different). Here is the symptom/condition description:
Under certain conditions, the internal flow of R-134a refrigerant may set up a resonance in some evaporator cores. This resonance can emit from the dash area as a high-pitched whistle noise. The whistle noise usually lasts 3 to 5 seconds and starts shortly after the A/C compressor clutch engages. The duration and the intensity of the whistle noise may vary as well as be highly intermittent. The whistle noise is most likely to be experienced in ambient temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit and engine speeds of 2,000 RPM or higher.
The recommended repair is to replace the expansion valve. In the last step, it says that if replacing the valve doesn't fix the problem, then the evaporator coil should be replaced.
As I expected, my results were similar to TylerC's. The A/C expansion valve was replaced, but had no effect on the problem. At that point, Chrysler's tech support people asked my service advisor if he could reproduce the issue on any other similarly-equipped Grand Cherokees on his lot. When he confirmed that he could, the tech support people decided that the Grand Cherokees were just made that way and they wouldn't authorize any more attempts at a resolution.
The service advisor encouraged me to file a complaint with Chrysler, saying (and I agree) that if enough people complain they'll eventually have to fix the problem. He gave me the phone number for the Customer Center, but I'm going to send a certified letter instead, since that's the first step required by North Carolina's lemon law.
Alright gents (and ladies if I missed it), I think I've pushed enough buttons to get this thing resolved...for now. As I posted earlier, I began the Lemon Law process and received immediate response from the local Chrysler rep. I was asked to return the vehicle again to the dealership, which I did. As a reminder, this was the 7th return trip. And on one of those attempts they "removed and replaced the H Valve and EVAC and charged the system..." This did not fix the problem and thus the Lemon Law process. Upon returning the other day as per their request for this process, a different (as they put it "more qualified") Chrysler Corp technician then "removed and replaced the A/C Low Side Line and the line from H Valve - removed Wiper Motor and Cowl (?) for access...and EVAC and charge the system." I'm imagining these techs skipped grammar class. Anyway, it has now been two days and I haven't heard the noise...yet. I'm remaining highly skeptical. And remain steadfast in my opinion of the dealership. I'll not return there for any further service. I'll be taking the GC to the Honda dealership directly across the street and waving at the Jeep guys as I pull in and out. From top to bottom (GM to Service Manager to Service Tech) I have had the single worst car dealership experience at Orlando Chrysler Dodge Jeep. Auto techs seem to sometimes forget they are still in the customer service arena as well as the auto service one. Hope this has helped some of you as the pasts posts certainly helped me. Thanks all.
Onward and upward!
Tyler
Mootz,
I would do just that. I printed these posts back in my initial dealings with the dealer. In my last post what I put in quotes (") is exactly what was printed upon my service statement they provided. If all fails, tell them to call the Chrysler tech at Orlando Chrysler Dodge Jeep @ 407-299-1120. Tell them a very recent customer by the first name of Tyler had the same problems with his 2011 Gold (color) GC Laredo. Everyone in the dealership Service Department will know who I am, believe me. Good luck.
I too have the exact same problem, and I have the Hemi with a build date of 10/2011. I was beginning to think I was the only one hearing this but then my wife commented on it. And then I see this thread.
The descriptions of the noise are spot on. Never noticed it during the winter either, so perhaps it is the A/C like many have concluded.
I only hope Chrysler finds a solution to this problem and that this thread is made a sticky or does not fall off the radar. I am sick of having a teenage "hearing test" every time I drive this summer! It is seriously one of the most annoying noises I have ever heard in a car. Just subtle and high pitched enough to drive you crazy.
Can the OP or a mod change the title of this thread as it also affects the Hemi engine and not just the V6?
BTW I have a feeling the high pitched noise does have to do with the A/C as it goes away when you turn it off, but it is not the A/C itself and is indeed high pitched electrical feedback through the speaker wires anteriorly behind the dash, so the sound would actually be coming from the front/center speakers. I've had this problem in cars before when I was a teenager and we used to install custom stereos. Has anyone considered this?
It doesn't sound like any kind of feedback I've ever heard and is still present with the audio system off... powered down audio equipment won't feed back (and then, if it was coming from the speakers it would be an induction with the tweeters).
The noise is much more likely the refrigerant in the expansion valve.
just found this thread - I too am having the same issue and ruled out the audio as well (which I initially thought it was - like the CRT sound). I had my first oil change a few weeks ago and asked the service dept to try to fix and they thought it was the gears on motor that moves diverts the air flow ~ like when changing from floor to dash not meshing properly and "recalibrated" it... unfortunately this made no difference. I will print this thread and bring it with me for the next visit. Thanks Tyler!
I was having this issue as well but to be honest I forgot about the sound and haven't noticed it for weeks. I forget to even listen for it now. I wonder if I should listen for it the next time I drive it....If I hear it I might start the frustrations all over again.:lol:
Perhaps its because with the AC and Ventilated seats on full blast and my stereo up I just don't hear it... I guess there are some benefits from the 109 heat we had in Dallas yesterday
I get the high pitch sound with the hemi as well. It's not from the speakers, it's the A/C. Happens around 1000-1200 RPM when accelerating or decelerating. Have not had the dealer look at it yet since I'm still working through the defective air suspension issues.
This is exactly it. With the Hemi the noise only occurs between 1000-1200 rpm with the A/C on. I'm glad people can replicate this. I hope they find a solution to this annoying problem.
I would like to join TylerC in reporting another successful fix for this issue.
As of my last post, the dealership had replaced the expansion valve in the A/C system, which had no effect on the problem. The service advisor told me that was as far as Chrysler would let them go and encouraged me to file a complaint with Chrysler, which I did. In the meantime I participated in a phone survey about the service visit. Apparently, the answers I gave prompted the service manager to get involved.
The service manager contacted Chrysler's engineering group. He told me that the engineering group is aware of this issue and has a fix for it. The fix has been part of the WK2 builds since mid-March (anyone here have a WK2 built after 3/17/11 that has the problem?). They are working on getting the fix out to the dealerships as a tech bulletin, but they were able to go ahead and get it to him so they could take care of my vehicle now.
The problem is a design flaw and has something to do with where a suction line is positioned in relation to the expansion valve and the compressor. The fix is to put in a jumper block, effectively repositioning where the suction line is located. I am happy to report that the fix works. The noise is completely gone.
I don't know whether it will help or not, but here is some information from the work order (I'm not sure who Tony Fife (mentioned below) is, but I assume he's the person they talked to in the engineering group):
24453101 Hose / tube - Replace Suction and liquid, junction block to expansion valve
1 55038201AE LINE-A/C SUCTION AND LIQUID
1 55038016AE LINE-A/C SUCTION
EVACUATE, REPLACE SUCTION HOSE FROM COMPRESSOR TO JUMPER TO EXPANSION VALVE PER TONY FIFE. RECHARGE SYSTEM AND VERIFY REPAIR.
Just checking in to report I'm going on about three weeks and no problems to report. The fix I reported previous seems to have done the trick. And it's very good to know that this forum is continuing to help others. And as a side note - I'm a business owner and there are many online forums that provide opportunity for negative people to post negative things about my business - mostly unwarranted. It is very refreshing to know that this forum is inhabited by intelligent folks who are simply looking for answers to a problem. Good work everyone. Let's hope this kind of supportive energy finds it's place elsewhere on the mostly idiotic internet arena.
TylerC
First, I would like to thank all the people who have posted solutions to this problem. We recently bought a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo and love it except for this high pitched noise when the AC is on and it is at 1000 - 1200 RPMs - exactly how you have described here. We found your postings and brought them to the dealership and I'm happy to report that the problem is fixed!!!
Here's the story...we brought the car in two weeks ago after the sound got very annoying. We asked the technician to drive with us to ensure that they heard the sound which they confirmed. We also gave him some of the postings here highlighting what seemed to have been the fix.
They kept the car for a week and replaced the Expansion Valve and the A/C Suction and Liquid Line (details below). At the end of the week they notified us that the car still made the sound, so they took it in for another week. During this past week they contacted Chrysler and were running some tests. After a couple days they called me saying they still aren't sure how to fix it, so I returned to this site to see if there was any additional information regarding a fix. That's when I saw krpatrick's post. I forwarded it to the service adviser and followed up with a phone call. He said they had just heard from Chrysler and were going to test something else and then possibly replace it depending on the results of the test. I asked him to please read my email and if they could try the fix krpatrick noted first. The technician read my email, ordered the parts, installed them, and tested confirming the problem was fixed (details below)!!!! I'm not sure if it was only the stuff they did the second week or a combination of both, but all I know is that it is now fixed!!! SO I'd like to thank all of you for posting this as it would not be fixed without this site!! Thank you!
Here's the fix that was on our 'invoice': 1st Week:
24352001 Valve, expansion (H-valve) - Replace Front Unit (B)
82300101AB *Refrigerant-R134A
68079483AA Valve-A/C Expansion
24454101 O-ring or gasket - Replace Discharge line to compressor/manifold (B)
55038201AD Line - A/C Suction and Liquid
Not fixed - car still made the sound
2nd Week:
1979 A/C Lines replaced the A/C suction and liquid and 1 suction line and Recharge system and verified repair
I noticed that a TSB was just posted yesterday (8/9) with a similar fix to RMVJeep's post. Looks like we have a solution for the masses now! I for one will be scheduling with my dealer in the near future.