Recently purchased a new 2005 Impreza WRX Wagon. Factory configuration. Since day one I have been hearing a chirp/whistle noise when accelerating and while maintaining a steady speed. The noise is present in any gear, but is most noticeable after 25 or 40 MPH.

A little more detail: If you floor it and run through the gears the noise isn't there. If you are completely OFF the gas, the noise is NOT there. But, if you are slightly on the gas, maintaining a speed (or cruise set) the noise is absolutely just abnoxious.

The noise occurs only while moving. If you rev up the engine at a stop you will not hear the chirp/whistle. This leads me to believe it is a result of airflow. When the gas pedal is depressed the injectors kick in and an air intake opens (so I was told). Is it possible the air intake opens just slightly when the pedal is only pressed lightly and this is causing the noise? Where is this intake that adjusts when the gas pedal is pressed? Not the hood intake right?

Dealerships hear the noise consistently, friends hear it, mechanics hear it, no one has a clue as to what it is.

I've mentioned that it possibly could be the drainage hole on the WRX Exhaust because that is what some folks have spoken about on i-club. Subaru repair techs laugh at the thought and say "no no no", but then they turn around and tell you they don't know what it is. Go figure....

Any help appreciated.

ps: I know this topic has come up before, but I'd figure i'd start a new thread specifically stating the 05 WRX... just incase other folks are out there with 05's experiencing this.

 

I will check the gear oil level... I bet that is it, I just wanted to check and see if it was something common.

It seems to always make the noise in 3/4/5 but not in 1/2.

 

Another dealership service center just changed the transmission fluids and the noise subsided, but did not completely dissapear. They think I should break in the vehicle a bit more (only has 3000 miles on it) and see what happens. At least i'm making progress on this.

Where and how do I check the "gear oil" level? Sorry if I sound ignorant.

Thanks,
Scott

 

there is a dipstick behind the turbo (passenger side). it's a bit low and might be hard to see

 

And this is easy to check and re-fill?

 

you directly refill into the dipstick hole. a funnel with a flexible hose attachment will come in very handy...also use gloves if your car is hot, the heat shields get really hot

 

Well, checked the gear oil and called the service center before doing anything. When I had mentioned in one of my earlier posts that the fluids had been emptied and re-filled, I should have mentioned Gear Oil but I guess I didn't know. So anyway, that is what was re-filled and the problem did not go away and actually got worse two days after that procedure.

So, here I am now, march 22nd and the vehicle is in the shop with it's transmission lying on a table being disected. The vehicle only has 3000 miles on it and i'm already dealing with this. Very frustrating!

I also find it extremely funny (or maybe interesting depending on my mood) that the whole of Subaru does not have any tech articles on this problem in their system. So basically what 1-800-SUBARU told me is that thanks for letting us know, we have no idea, so lets begin the "3 repairs and we'll POSSIBLY buy it back from you" deal. man oh man..... 3000 miles!!!!!!!

All aside, i'll keep everyone posted so if this problem does get resolved without me getting a new vehicle I can post the resolution.

Thanks for all the help so far
Scott

 

Wow, this sounds super rediculous. I would be Its your accessory belt that is slipping. I and many others have experienced the same exact sound. If the car is new chances are some of the engine cleaning/dressing stuff got on the belt, or some other oil or lubricant. It might fade over time as the stuff gets worn off. A variation on this is that the belt actually a little bitt is loose, in which it needs to be tightened. Sometimes things don't come perfect from the factory. If the dealership had actually mechanics listen and they couldn't identify this from first chirp, I would pick another dealership.

jason

 

Jason - well yeah, they put the car up after driving it and they determined the noise was coming from the front diff. So right now theres not much I can do seeing that my tansmission is lying on a bench.

We'll keep ya posted.

Scott

 

Just got the car back today. Damn thing is still chirping, even after the dealership said two guys drove it and heard nothing. They'll use the rain as an excuse for not hearing it, but that's bs cause I heard it immediately.

Anyway, the repair that was just done was on the front diff. They dropped the tranny, split it, and replaced parts from a tranny kit they ordered from Subaru.

The noise did subside, however, it is still there and still very noticeable.

I'll be calling the dealership tomorrow along with my contact at 1-800-SUBARU3.

 

it's a subaru not a lexus, I have an 05, my car squeeks and rattles. It's just how it is, it has no sound deadening, and it's a sports car. If it were a GS 400 I'd probalby be mad, but it's an entry level sports car. Deal with it.

 

look bud, if the noise was barely noticeable i'd live with it. But it's not. It's in your face, consistently, loud enough to be heard over music at times.

It's easy to tell a guy to "Deal with it" when you ain't dealing with the same problem. It's another story when you own the vehicle, paid $25k+ for it, and it chirps while you drive. Also keep in mind the vehicle has 3000 miles on it.

So, you can deal with your noises if you want, thats cool with me, but i'll pursue my issue until the end.

And when the problem is resolved, i'll share the resolution with others on this forum who have helped me, and hopefully help the next guy with the same problem.

 

After everything i've been through with this problem Subaru America now all of a sudden has a document on the issue.

I cannot verify the fix because I am still waiting for the service, but according to Subaru America's upper senior mgmt, the problem is caused by the pinion(s) and the tranny needs to be REPLACED.

Again, I have not had the new tranny installed yet. Waiting on it to arrive at the dealership.

If the new tranny puts a can over the noise i'll let you all know.

---- BS TO FOLLOW ----

Anyway, just so everyone knows:

When this whole problem started with the whistling/chirping no one knew what the problem was. Not three dealerships nor Subaru America. I had the tranny fluid changed, then the tranny was dropped and split and put back in the car. During that process the dealership ripped the axel boot and grease seaped out onto my catalytic converter causing smoke and a burning smell which I am still "driving-off" and have been for 2 weeks. Also, during the tranny job, and im sure the dealership would disagree with me, but they forgot to fill the tranny fluid after the job and I was rolling with near empty fluid for two days before I decided to check its level. Then, to put the icing on the cake, just the other day my check engine light came on... P0420. Basically a Catalytic Converter code.

Now, all of a sudden, out of the clear blue, Subaru America upper mgmt is telling me the problem is documented and has been for years and that it is no big deal at all, I just need a new tranny. I asked why no one knew about these technical documents when I originally started having the problem diagnosed and why we went through all these repairs "troubleshooting" the problem when a fix was known for years. F***in BS!

 

Solution to the chirping. Replace transmission.

If anyone out there begins to have the chirping problem as described in this thread, call Subaru, start a case, and have them refer to the Scott Reed case from Wisconsin. Don't let the repair shop screw around with your car and cause new problems all the while this issue is CLEARLY documented at Subaru of America!

----- below is info on what Subaru is doing for me ------

For those of you who followed the entire post, this is basically what Subaru finally decided to do.

After shipping the replacement transmission to the wrong state they finally realized that they are treading on thin ice with me. Three months after buying the car and barely driving it during that period Subaru finally decided to build me a new car and have it sent to Green Bay. That should be here for me 2nd week of June.

Chirping, dropped transmission, torn axle boot on passenger side, failed O2 sensors, damaged catalytic converter and the abscense of tranny fluid in gear box are all the problems that I had with the car. I feel bad for the poor soul who is sold this car after I swap it in for the new one.

For what it's worth, the car is fixed now and running great.

 

wow so theyre sending you a brand new car eh!?
so that means you get to have alot of fun with this one. its well deserved from all the **** youve been through man. i feel bad for u, u buy a car and barely get to drive it. it kinda ruins the whole experience.