Jim_K

I have a whine on my 96 6 speed coupe under throttle application when in gear at highway speed. I don't notice it in lower gears around town, only from approximately 50 mph and up in 4th, 5th, 6th gears.

It starts the moment you apply throttle and it goes away the moment you let up. In addition it does not do it when just revving the engine if you clutch is pushed in or car is in neutral (at highway speeds).

Any ideas what this could be? The transmission shifts great and the car drives great.

The car has 28k miles and is in excellent condition except for this and it is driving me crazy over worrying about it. I bought the car with 25k on it, and the PO said it always did that so he thought it was normal!

Thanks.

Jim K
96 6 speed Coupe
White/Cashmere

jford

Jim,
I believe that what you are hearing is the varioram (sp.) kicking in. I definatly notice mine when I drive. I believe it comes on in the higher rev. range which is why you don't hear it tooling around town. It's sort of a cross between a whine and a whistle. Hope this helps.

Jamie

TheOtherEric

Could this be a wheel bearing? Seems to me like something in the drivetrain.

Rick Lee

I think a noticeable whistle could spell tranny problems.

I need to ride in someone else's 993. I honestly can't notice any difference in noise when I break 5k rpms. I really wonder if my V-ram is not working. My car pulls super strong, but I'd always welcome more HP if I'm not getting all it has.

jford

Rick- My v-ram is very percetible but I have never had a ride in another 993 to compare (actually did ride in a 95 but of course no v-ram).

Jim- To test if it is the v-ram I would wind the car through the gears and see if you notice the sound under load when above 4k rpm. If this is the case and the sound goes away when not under thiese conditions I would say it is the v-ram.

Jamie

Edward

No, it isn't varioram. I know because I have a 95 and have the identical faint, almost imperceptible, whine that you have...only under mild application of throttle, not under steady cruising, and not under heavy throttle (or if it's there can't hear it). I haven't a clue as to what it may be, frankly. I initially thought it might be vacuum related but the car has a rock-solid idle and accelerates smoothly so I ruled that out. I don't "think" its tranny as mine behaves perfectly on the street and on the track, in hot and in cold, and have no ill signs when changing oil; still, someone more familiar with our tranny may know better. I chalked it up to a quirk. My solution was turn up the radio or accelerate more "briskly"

Edward

beagling

I am resurrecting an old thread as it applies to my recently purschased 1997 Targa Tiptronic almost exactly. I am hoping someone has solved this mystery and can report on a solution.

Editing Jim_K's initial post to match my car and symptoms:

My whine occurs under throttle application when in D, manual 2,3, or 4 at highway speed between 60 and 65 MPH. Targa top up/down, windows up/down doesn't matter. If I maintain say 60 in 4 and tip shift to 3 whine still occurs.

It happens as soon as you apply throttle and it goes away the moment you release pedal. At speed I can gently feather throttle slightly then release and the sounds comes ON and OFF

Any ideas what this could be? The transmission shifts great and the car drives great.

The car has only 30k miles and was just serviced. Tim at Fastlane in Santa Cruz was flummoxed . He ruled out belt tensioner issue which others have reported. Only thing that made any sense to him was tranny noise so he flushed but the problem still persists.

Looking for any help on this one. This single issue is spoiling my 993 perma-grin .

Thanks,

Brent

1997 Targa
Guards Red/Cashmere
Tiptronic

Note: Intro Post with pictures on its way once I get my camera back from Canon for repair.

AOW162435

Maybe, unbeknownst to you, someone installed a supercharger. Have you checked?

Seriously, I'd guess gear lash in the ring & pinion. My early '95 has exhibited a similar whine for the last 5 years, but has never changed. I replace the tranny fluid every winter (Mobil1 Delvac) and the tranny shifts great.


Andreas

chris walrod

ring and pinion it typically what this sounds like.

Brian F.

I hear loud whine under heavy acceleration--------my wife

beagling

Thanks for the replys Andreas and Chris. Seems like you are both in agreement on the symptoms.

Seems like my choice is either live with it or go through transmission rebuild.