I too had that noise that magically dissappeared after a few weeks. It was replaced a few months later by stiff steering. Added a little power steering fluid and it seemed to help for a little while. Things just kept getting worse. Eventually I had to replace the powersteering pump completely because I only had part time power steering. The mechanic said the system had to be flushed due to metal shavings in the fluid. Not sure if the noise and the pump were the same but I haven't experienced the sound since.

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'02 Sport
never enough mods!
LOST# SA052393

Ed, could it be your belt tensioner? Try spraying WD40 in the back of the tensioner. Just a thought
Nolan

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2002 Liberty
W/Lift+Armor+Diff mods

How has your steering been? I hope they checked to make sure that your rack and pinion was ok. I had a seal go and a boot fill up with fluid. They had to replace the entire thing. At least it was under warranty.

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'02 Liberty Limited - Patriot Blue

Hey Nolan,
I plan to take all skids out this weekend and try to Isolate the sound.
I looked at it last night, but I just could not pinpoint the sound. I'll make sure I check the belt tensioner, though.

Thanks,

Ed

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Take the road less traveled.

Did it just make the sound when you started the engine, or was it a continuous sound?

I'm still leaning towards the starter theory. Hopefully I'll be able to pinpoint it this weekend.

Thanks,

Ed

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Take the road less traveled.

i too have experienced this whinning noise for a while. it did start in the cooler months and then progressively got louder. i thought it may be just be the belt making the noise. i sprayed belt dressing on it and wd 40 on all the pulleys. that didn't help so i got a sthetoscope and listened to the alternator and it nearly deafened me. i took it to the dealer and low and behold the alternator was slowly dying. they have ordered a new one for me and it will be replaced next week. this is '02 reneagade that just tripped 50K. may or may not be your problem but if the noise does not stop while the engine is running it most likely could be the brushes in the alternator burning out.

The noise stops 5 or 6 seconds after the engine starts. At this point, I'm betting that it's the starter, so I ordered a new one and will replace it this weekend.
I'll let you all know if that works.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Ed

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Take the road less traveled.