What is this squeal on my 1998 TJ?

[jakesilvester]

Good morning my fellow Jeep crew!

I am new to owning a Jeep Wrangler and would like some advice on how to trouble shoot this squeal coming from my engine bay, passenger (left side)? It seems to go/ die down when going faster but when cruising around town it seems to be pretty prevalent. See the youtube video for some context. I hope you can help me, I am new so please be nice

 

[TJ Jim]

Was the heater blower on? Does it squeal sitting still engine idling? If so can you do another video listening under the hood? Doesn’t seem to change with engine rpm.

 

[jakesilvester]

Was the heater blower on? Does it squeal sitting still engine idling? If so can you do another video listening under the hood? Doesn’t seem to change with engine rpm.

Hi Jim, it was but on its lowest setting with the heating on max (see picture). It doesn’t occur when I am idling or as you said with a change of engine rpm. It sometimes disappears when I go over 60mph ish

 

[TJ Jim]

Well…..your first two sentences made me think it’s the heater blower. Then you added it quits at 60. So my next guess is turn the blower off and see if the noise is gone.

 

[Duck Doctor]

Sounds like an issue with the front driveshaft CV lol not at the transfer case. Do some research on "angry squirrels." Remove the front driveshaft and drive around to see if the sound is still present.

 

[jakesilvester]

Well…..your first two sentences made me think it’s the heater blower. Then you added it quits at 60. So my next guess is turn the blower off and see if the noise is gone.

Hi Jim, I will try this, I am about to drive home and I’ll let you know

 

[mkc1962]

Idler or tensioner pulley. Use a long screw driver while idling and see if you hear any squeeking coming from either. BOTH of mine recently needed new bearings and were making a very similar squeek.

 

[DuckNut]

The frequency and pitch does not change. This would have me looking for a simple squeak. Dash panel, plastic part, something simple. Find a deserted road and have a passenger crawl around trying to isolate general location.

 

[jakesilvester]

Well…..your first two sentences made me think it’s the heater blower. Then you added it quits at 60. So my next guess is turn the blower off and see if the noise is gone.

Hi Jim, although this noise had been happening for 2 weeks straight, randomly on the drive home is disappeared.. typical as soon as I post something on a forum is disappears. I turned off the air conditioning and it stopped but then later on in the drive I turned it on and the noise didn’t reappear so I think that would rule A/C out, thanks for your help!

 

[jakesilvester]

Sounds like an issue with the front driveshaft CV lol not at the transfer case. Do some research on "angry squirrels." Remove the front driveshaft and drive around to see if the sound is still present.

Thank you will investigate!

 

[jakesilvester]

Idler or tensioner pulley. Use a long screw driver while idling and see if you hear any squeeking coming from either. BOTH of mine recently needed new bearings and were making a very similar squeek.

Thank you, was yours similar where it would only make the noise at lower speeds and sometime it would happen and sometimes not, or was yours pretty consistent?

 

[jakesilvester]

The frequency and pitch does not change. This would have me looking for a simple squeak. Dash panel, plastic part, something simple. Find a deserted road and have a passenger crawl around trying to isolate general location.

Thanks Duck Nut, any location suggestions for the UK? Sadly no deserts around here, just cold roads

 

[TJ Jim]

I turned off the air conditioning and it stopped

Typical. Brass bushings on the shaft and the squeals come and go. My money is still on the blower motor. Hope you find it before it drives you insane.