whirring noise when turning

blue02 · Post by **blue02** » 28 Feb 2011, 09:21

02 s80 t6 91K

sometimes on turns I hear a soft whirring noise (think of the jetson's space-car) coming from somewhere behind the glove compartment. I hear it more at slow speeds, but I'm usually going slow when I turn. Any thoughts?

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 28 Feb 2011, 21:47

Have you checked the fluid level and condition? If not I'd start there. Sometimes the tanks cause issues, a piece inside breaks off. Its a cheap fix as far as I know.

blue02 · Post by **blue02** » 01 Mar 2011, 10:12

which fluid? Steering?

Post by **jimmy57** » 01 Mar 2011, 10:25

Yes, power steering fluid.

The other thing that occurs to me is blower motor. Does the noise change with different blower speeds?

blue02 · Post by **blue02** » 01 Mar 2011, 11:13

I'll check, thanks for your help

blue02 · Post by **blue02** » 02 Mar 2011, 07:32

Good diagnosis, Dr. House.

Yes, the noise (which occurs exclusively on left turns) is tied to the blower motor speed. When it is off, no noise, Gets louder as blower speed is increased, and when blower is on high you can hear it (softly, underneath normal blower noise) even when the car isn't turning.

blue02 · Post by **blue02** » 02 Mar 2011, 11:14

by the way, the Dr. house reference was one of respect, not sarcasm!

blue02 · Post by **blue02** » 02 Mar 2011, 15:10

do you think a bearing is bad in the blower motor? or just the fan hitting something? What does a replacement blower motor cost?

Post by **jimmy57** » 02 Mar 2011, 16:13

The blower motor uses brass bushings and they must be bad. I haven't priced a motor. Not easy to change but not impossible.
I think the blower change has been covered in a repair database article.

I'll get snippy, take drugs, and walk with a limp, THEN you can call me Dr. House!
LOL

VANMAN · Post by **VANMAN** » 02 Mar 2011, 17:13

I had a similar problem with my V70, I cleaned out the power steering reservoir and replaced the fluid with a power steering recontitioner fluid and now its fine. that was over 12 months ago.