a loud whining/howling sound at start up when it’s really cold outside

[SethO]

I'm interested to hear what they tell you. I've got a 2014 with the v6 and I have noticed this sound a few times as well. Always when temps below 20ºf and only on first startup for just a few seconds. Definitely the same sound and conditions.

 

[7777xm]

Sounds like a woman screaming... Ive never heard a truck make that noise.

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[senkev]

I have the exact same noise on my 2015 Sport 5.7L with less than 2k miles. Only happens within the first 10 seconds and it has to be very cold out and truck has to sit overnight. Truck seems to run and start great otherwise.

I had a 99 Durango that had pretty much the exact same noise. I was told it was the power steering pump and never did anything to address it. That truck went 200k+ miles with no mechanical issues so I have not been too concerned about it.

OP, can you keep us posted if the idler pulley is the fix?

 

[CapeRR]

Defective oil pump? There's been others with the same problem. TSB on it.

http://www.ramforumz.com/showthread.php?t=159285

 

[shelby5041]

i had a 1997 jeep cherokee that would screech real bad when it rained outside or was cold for the first few seconds and then would go away..i could drive miles and miles with no sound after initial few seconds......eventaully the sound got worse and would last longer and longer......and the sound would get louser if you gave it gas so i knew it was related to the engine or anything in the serpintine belt loop....it turned out to be a bad alternator ...the bearing was shot and would get worse depending on temp etc....once i replaced it the sound went away

 

[Sir John]

i had a 1997 jeep cherokee that would screech real bad when it rained outside or was cold for the first few seconds and then would go away..i could drive miles and miles with no sound after initial few seconds......eventaully the sound got worse and would last longer and longer......and the sound would get louser if you gave it gas so i knew it was related to the engine or anything in the serpintine belt loop....it turned out to be a bad alternator ...the bearing was shot and would get worse depending on temp etc....once i replaced it the sound went away

Thanks. I'll keep this in mind.

 

[Gardenfan]

My 2014 hemi sport does this as well. 90 percent confident it is in the accessory drive. Honestly does not worry me at this point, but if the dealer tells you anything let us know, mine has to go in for the wiring recalls anyway, if it is a problem they can fix that at same time.

 

[xXAvroArrowXx]

I've got a 14 Sport with the exact same starts up whine in those videos. Dealer replaced the idler and belt once already in December 14, it's doing it again... Going back to the dealer again.... :-(

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[Sir John]

I've got a 14 Sport with the exact same starts up whine in those videos. Dealer replaced the idler and belt once already in December 14, it's doing it again... Going back to the dealer again.... :-(

That's disappointing. I was thinking it was the idler pulley, but maybe not now. Let us know what happens.

 

[Rustycowl69]

sounds like serpentine belt or accessorie related. My old Jeep used to make a noise similar to the description, I think it was moisture on the belt causing slippage.

 

[Sir John]

So, I have a rental for a few days. It's a 2017 Ram 1500 Big Horn with the 5.7 engine. It was about 15°F this morning and when I started it up it made the EXACT same howl that my 2014 Sport in my video shown here! Actually, it was a little worse. That's crazy that a 2017 is making the SAME EXACT NOISE. Doesn't Ram even attempt to fix the issues?????

 

[averageguy]

My wifes Journey makes this same noise when the temp is really low when cold starting. It sounds bad for about 10-20 seconds and goes away. 2014 Journey with a v-6.

 

[StoneDude76]

Have a 14" 5.7 Express and I get it on occasions.

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[05roush0090]

My truck did a similar noise the other day when it was really cold out. I thought mine sounded more like harmonics from air being sucked in some where whether the air intake or wherever and it would stop if I revved but come back at certain rpm but only last short time and went away. Was weird. I don't think it was quite as high pitched as in the videos.

 

[Jetsfan122]

My '16 express makes the same noise when it's under 20 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 seconds . My '02 Durango made the exact same noise and I drove the thing for over 200k without issue. I'm not too concerned about it.

 

[Sir John]

Wow, so this must be a Ram thing. I traded my 14 Sport in for a 16 Rebel back in Dec 2016. It's been quiet until today. I started it up (it was about 18°F) and it did the same EXACT thing with the howling/squealing sound. It did it for about 4-5 seconds. It's very loud and would not/could not be ignored. This cannot be a coincidence and must be a much more common issue than I, or anyone for that matter, realizes. I wish there was a diagnosis and fix for this. It only ever does it in the very cold starts and very sporadic. I cannot not figure out a rhyme or reason to why it does it. And I can never pinpoint it....goes away too quickly.

 

[savage_46]

Mine does the same thing. We've had some pretty cold days consistently the last couple months. The noise doesn't last long. Pretty much have to have the hood open, bypass hood switch, remote start, & be ready with a stethoscope. I'm thinking alternator, water pump, or tensioner. But, I'm not gonna worry about it unless it lasts longer.

 

[Sir John]

Yeah, that's the issue....its very sporadic and only lasts a few seconds. The fact that this is the third 4th generation Ram 1500 I've had do, tells me it's more common than I thought.

 

[liftedgm1982]

Wow, so this must be a Ram thing. I traded my 14 Sport in for a 16 Rebel back in Dec 2016. It's been quiet until today. I started it up (it was about 18°F) and it did the same EXACT thing with the howling/squealing sound. It did it for about 4-5 seconds. It's very loud and would not/could not be ignored. This cannot be a coincidence and must be a much more common issue than I, or anyone for that matter, realizes. I wish there was a diagnosis and fix for this. It only ever does it in the very cold starts and very sporadic. I cannot not figure out a rhyme or reason to why it does it. And I can never pinpoint it....goes away too quickly.

It's absolutely not "a Ram thing", nor is it an "issue" that needs a diagnosis. It's mechanical parts that sit in below freezing conditions. Then you start your truck. Engine revs to what? 1500ish RPMS? You're talking about metal AND rubber AND plastic moving parts. You don't expect any sort of noises/groans? You know why it's sporadic? Air moisture content.



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[Sir John]

It's absolutely not "a Ram thing", nor is it an "issue" that needs a diagnosis. It's mechanical parts that sit in below freezing conditions. Then you start your truck. Engine revs to what? 1500ish RPMS? You're talking about metal AND rubber AND plastic moving parts. You don't expect any sort of noises/groans? You know why it's sporadic? Air moisture content.

Well, I said it must be a "Ram thing" because I have had 4 Ford 150 trucks (3 V8s and one Ecoboost) living in exactly the same house with the exact same seasons and never once did the F150s screech, whine or howl on start up in the cold like the three 4th generation Ram 1500s have. So, to me, that defines a "Ram thing". Oh yeah, my wife's Toyotas have never done it either. Have you watched the video that was posted at the beginning of this thread? There's no way that should be any type of "normal" sound. The only thing you said that makes sense, and I agree with, is the very last sentence...."Air moisture content". I appreciate the comment nonetheless.