# 2002 Pontiac Montana whining noises **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [June 6, 2014, 5:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-pontiac-montana-whining-noises/85313 "2014-06-06T05:01:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bluedog04](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@bluedog04](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bluedog04)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 5:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-pontiac-montana-whining-noises/85313/1 "2014-06-06T05:01:16Z")
I own a 2002 Pontiac Montana van with 36,000 original miles. The past year it started making a loud whining noise that seems to come from the rear of the vehicle. It seems to be worse in summer than in winter. It iis really loud when turning into a parking lot or when turning sharply to go thru a drive thru at a restaurant. I have taken it to several mechanics and also to a dealership, and no one seems to be able to find the problem. Has anyone else experienced this problem with their Pontiac Montana van? I have no idea what to do about this situation. Can anyone help me solve this problem? Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 5:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-pontiac-montana-whining-noises/85313/2 "2014-06-06T05:26:24Z")
Sound can move around and seem to be coming from somewhere other than its true source. Have you tried opening the hood, having a friend turn the steering wheel, and listening for the source? Pay particular attention to the power steering pump. Whining when turning is a common symptom of failing PS pumps. Post back. ---
**Author:** ![jesmed1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jesmed1/32/2097_2.png) [@jesmed1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jesmed1)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 6:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-pontiac-montana-whining-noises/85313/3 "2014-06-06T06:03:08Z")
Yes, others have experienced this problem. It’s apparently a rear differential issue with the AWD system. (If you don’t have AWD, then ignore this.) > **[40168-.pdf](https://paceperformance.com/attachment/40168-.pdf)** > > 127.15 KB The bulletin says that new differential fluid may help, but in severe cases the only fix is a new rear differential. PS…it always baffles me when someone reports a “really loud noise” that no mechanic can seem to locate. Especially in a case like this, a loud whine from the rear that gets worse when turning is a classic symptom of a rear differential problem. Either the mechanics you took it to were deaf or they didn’t want to be bothered. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 8:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-pontiac-montana-whining-noises/85313/4 "2014-06-06T08:34:13Z")
I was unaware that they made these in AWD. Is yours an AWD Bluedog? ---
**Author:** ![bluedog04](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@bluedog04](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bluedog04)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-pontiac-montana-whining-noises/85313/5 "2014-06-06T15:34:13Z")
Yes, my van is AWD.