[Mazda384]

Hi, I have a Mazda 3 2016 with automatic transmission. When I drive at a certain speed 78-80km/h then I hear a whistling/squeaky noise.
The noise only appears when I touch the accelerator slighly. As soon as I accelarate more or when I completely release the accelerator then the noise disappears.
The noise also only occurs when the engine is warm. I did not notice it when the engine is still quite cold.
Does anyone have an idea what could cause the noise? Many thanks

 

[minsanity]

Belt or pulley squeak perhaps?

 

[Mazda384]

Thanks, but wouldn't a belt/pulley squeak also occur when the engine is cold and on various speed levels?
The whistling noise only occurs when the engine is warm and when I very slightly touch the accelerator pedal (at around 78 km/h)

 

[zero_gravity]

Could be tire noise. Could also be a bearing going. Might be hard to narrow down given that you need speed and heat.

Could you describe the noise a bit more?

 

[Mazda384]

I will try to post an audio file of the noise.

I also went to the Mazda dealer today and they rotated the tires, without effect on the noise. They said that the noise is probably coming from the differential.

 

[zero_gravity]

I kinda wondered about that. Either gear lash isn't right or a bearing is going if that's the case. Keep on them, don't accept no for an answer.

BTW tire rotation will only change where the source of the noise is. Won't solve it.

 

[armagoosa]

I have this exact same problem on a brand new 2016 SP25. Will be getting it looked at on Wednesday and post back with updates.

 

[Mazda384]

They replaced my entire automatic transmission (incl. differential) and the problem seems to be fixed now. Did you already get some feedback to your problem?

 

[armagoosa]

Sadly no, we couldn't recreate the problem on the day since there wasn't an accessible speedway and time was an issue. I am sending them a recording of the sound until I can book a dedicated day during March.
It's a bit of a worry that a complete transmission change was needed to make the sound go away though!

 

[b88]

The tires do not think it's because the steering wheel would vibrate, rather than make noise.

Have you checked the oil levels ?, or have you had an oil change recently in a revision? ... to see if they have put another type of oil with less viscosity. I would aim at the differential.

 

[Mazda384]

For me it was also the differential, but they changed the transmission and differential because they said that this is one entire piece and they did not want to take it apart

 

[cudau]

I got the same problem but entire transmission is quite pricy. Feel so sad (