Whining noise

A forum for Nissan's newest subcompact crossover SUV, the Kicks!
datechboss101
Posts: 934
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2017 12:01 pm
Car: 2016 Nissan Rogue SL -- RIP
2018 Nissan Kicks SR -- RIP
2019 Nissan Rogue SV w/ Prem. Pack
Location: Orlando, FL

Post

Unlike the Rogue, when I go to around 50 MPH, regardless if I am going full throttle or driving economically, a whining noise comes, and its barely audible. The vehicle has roughly 3200 miles on it. I am thinking its a transmission issue, but I haven't had time to take it to the dealer to have it check, since they are on the other side of the county. Any clue on what could be making this noise?


macgiver
Posts: 1612
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2007 10:21 am

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Hopefully "Break-in" noise , of driveline in general. Keep a very close ear on it though ,ever trying to locate,
you know.

amc49
Posts: 1183
Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2017 7:24 pm
Car: '11 Nissan Versa
'17 Nissan Altima

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If CVT, whine is usually trans, may be normal or not. A certain very small amount likely is. Some cars simply have enough sound deadening on them to stop you hearing it inside the car. Cheaper ones no.

far raf
Posts: 213
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2017 2:53 pm
Car: 2005 Nissan Quest SE (standard? simple? edition - i.e. nothing special)

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+1 for CVT whine

HarlockTaliesin
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed May 29, 2019 11:42 am
Car: 2012 Nissan Juke SL AWD
2010 Nissan Versa

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Most likely the CVT, yeah. By it's nature the CVT has a small whine sound to it. There's a few things that can also contribute to it as well.

-Check the transmission fluid level. If it's overfilled the fluid can be getting aerated which can cause additional whine or make it louder.
-Wrong fluid being used. Nissan usually recommends NS-2 or NS-3 (or equivalent) in their CVTs (check the manual, newer models tend to use NS-3), and it's what comes in them from the factory. Since it's a newer vehicle I'd doubt this to be a problem, but something to bear in mind whenever you change the fluid.
-Problem or wear issue with the CVT tensioner. Again, unlikely as it's a newer vehicle, but there can always be a defect.
-Check recall alerts/notices, or ask a (reliable) dealer if there's any known issues.
-Have a diagnostic ran at a dealer or mechanic with the appropriate equipment to see if the computer is picking up any problems or throwing error codes.

If your engine has a turbo they can whine as well, however the sound is usually louder/more pronounced and typically only kicks in during acceleration or under heavy load. I don't think the Kicks has a factory turbo version, though.

There's some other things that can cause a whine under the hood, but I'd start with these as they're the most common.

amc49
Posts: 1183
Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2017 7:24 pm
Car: '11 Nissan Versa
'17 Nissan Altima

Post

If it uses a rotary vane a/c compressor those will whine and normal. You usually hear that most at low speeds like under 30 mph.

Some serp belt runs make a whine too like Ford Focus which was known for it, normal.

Hearing a whine at 50 mph is not so much normal to me.

jessewilliams56
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat May 04, 2019 10:24 am
Car: 2018 Nissan Kicks S

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We have a 2018 Nissan Kicks SV and we are hearing the same noise that the dealer can’t hear. Ours happens at 70 mph while driving. Everyone said it’s road noise or normal.

canuk22
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2019 2:07 pm
Car: 19 Kicks SR

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Hi, I have a new 19 Kicks and I previously had a Versa Note. I believe that what you are hearing is the shift from low to high by the planetary gear that this particular CVT has. The Jatco CVT7WR and CVT7 works that way, perfectly normal and nothing to be concerned about. Youtube videos demonstrate how that works. If it's not that it could be the tires, mine has the Firestone FT140 and they are the worst tires I have ever seen.

amc49
Posts: 1183
Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2017 7:24 pm
Car: '11 Nissan Versa
'17 Nissan Altima

Post

Planetaries generally never make much noise if any, they are helical cut (specifically to stop whine) and then buried inside the outer drum ring gear and the sun is another front cover which muffles the sound; the whole thing is boxed up. Certainly not at higher speeds. When you hear a whine at constant speed and up higher at speeds say over 50 mph the sound almost has to be CVT chain as it is the only thing running at the speed and with the open construction (frees up sound to be heard) to make noise like that. The pulleys themselves being v-shaped focus the noise outward angularly like a megaphone.

Nobody mentioned a shift either, only constant steady state driving.

canuk22
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Aug 22, 2019 2:07 pm
Car: 19 Kicks SR

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I'll agree with you if the sound is steady, then likely the chain. But aside from that the planetary gear does have it's unique sound when it's about to shift.


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