I have a 2002 Sebring convertible with 53,000 miles. I purchased used with 5,600 miles 5 years ago and car has been trouble free. Since I have had it I have noticed a faint high pitched whine at 72-75 mph. Noise dissapears above and below that speed. It is also related to drivetrain load as I can make it come and go by pressing and removing my foot from the gas pedal. It is not rpm related as I can put the car in third (auto trans.), drive the same speed, and the noise comes and goes just as if the car were in 4th gear. Any ideas? Belts and idler pulley were just changed as routine maintenance and made no difference. No issues with any belt driven device.

 

Just a guess, but power steering and/or transmission seems like a possible source for what you describe, which sounds like a hydraulic pump whine. Might be time to change fluids.

 

It's made the noise since I got it. Trans. fluid was done (with correct fluid) around 32,000 miles and it made no difference. It's not power steering. I had that noise on my 03 T&C, very different. I changed the fluid and the reservoir on that car and the noise dissappeared, but that noise was constant regardless of engine rpm or vehicle speed.

 

Wheel bearing? Another guess.

If you have a good set of jackstands, you might consider putting the car up and seeing if you can duplicate the noise with the wheels off the ground. Then walk around the car and see what you can learn. Be careful.

 

I was thinking that too as it is related to the speed of the vehicle not the engine rpms. I wouldn't mind it so much but it occurs at a speed that seems to be the ideal for Interstate driving.

 

Noisy whine on LXI 02 sedan. Local guy says wheel bearing. How much are they?
He says about $310, is that an ok price???

 

The part retails for about $110-120 (aftermarket), so the price for the job sounds fair considering what's involved.

 

Sometimes the transfer gears can cause this problem. Our 91 Acclaim has done that for 90K miles. Really noticeable in tunnels or on bridges.