Questions and Answers

Ford Aerostar Likes To Whine Q. Hi, I have a 1990 Ford Aerostar with a 3.0 liter V-6 engine. My problem is when the vehicle gets to between 70 and 80 kph, I keep getting an annoying high pitch whine sound in the passenger compartment. I am sure the noise, whine, is coming from underneath the center of the dash. I have been unable to figure this one out and I do not know what is causing it.

When the noise starts and I accelerate or decelerate it stops within about 3 or 4 kilometers. The pitch of the noise remains the same within the 3 or 4 kilometers of the noise starting. I am thinking it may be the speedometer cable but not sure.

I have just changed the alternator, belts, coil and distributor along with the wires and spark plugs, not because of this noise but a required repair. I also had my oil changed and transmission filter and gaskets replaced. This noise is extremely annoying.

Do you have any suggestions? I also checked all vacuum hoses and connections. Your help would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Mark

A. This sounds like it could be the speedometer cable. I would disconnect the speedometer cable at the transmission and try injecting some lubricant inside as far as I could. I use anti-seize compound which seems to work it’s way up the entire length of the cable when injected from the transmission end due to the spiral design of the cable and the rotating motion. It takes a little bit of driving to work it in and the more you get in the cable the better.