Mine has started making a horrid whining noise when in 4WD. Has anyone had an experience of this? Mechanic stumped as doesn't make the noise on the ramp.. Don't want to be stranded in the middle of a field so deciding whether it's time to trade on or stick it out. Mechanic doesn't think it will pack in ... but as I said also stumped!
Anyone have a Grand Vitara
- Thread starter ladyearl
- Start date
ladyt25
Well-Known Member
I actually have no idea or helpful advice but I would try google the problem if I were you - it's quite amazing sometimes what you can find. I have seen Vitaras for sale on ebay etc that have mentioned this noise but yet state the 4WD still works. I had problems with my Vitara (think was 02 reg) where it kept cutting out when stuck in traffic or idling. The mechanics were stumped then too as they couldn't manage to replicate the problem every time they took it in. I have to say they were very good though. Eventually the manager at the garage took my car out for his lunch and left it running as he sat in an ate his lunch - voila! Car cut out and he could not restart it - made me feel less of a woman driver just maing stuff up that! Lol 
They did eventually fix it but not long after something else went wrong and was going to cost £800 to fix. By this point I'd already spent almost the value of the car in repairs so i decided to trade it in for a new model. I only later traded that in as I bought a house and couldn't keep paying the finance as well as a mortgage
I will be looking at getting another though - I just like their 4x4 capability compared to some other small 4x4s available.
If I were you I'd trade it in but then I tend to do that as if it's going to cost me more to fix than the finance is going to be on a newer one then it's a no-brainer!
They did eventually fix it but not long after something else went wrong and was going to cost £800 to fix. By this point I'd already spent almost the value of the car in repairs so i decided to trade it in for a new model. I only later traded that in as I bought a house and couldn't keep paying the finance as well as a mortgage
I will be looking at getting another though - I just like their 4x4 capability compared to some other small 4x4s available.
If I were you I'd trade it in but then I tend to do that as if it's going to cost me more to fix than the finance is going to be on a newer one then it's a no-brainer!
yes apparently the 4WD does work but I've yet to really test in a diff situation - just wondered if anyone (who uses their's for real) has had the problem - apparently the majority are never in 4WD ?? I'm guessing that's less likely to be the case amongst us horsey types
Pearlsacarolsinger
Up in the clouds
Not had the noise problem but I have had it stuck in 4WD (come to think, it might have been making a noise at the same time). I took it back to the main dealer and they sorted it out. I've had 3 GVs and can't remember which it was, not the one I've got now though. The problem occurred when I had to find a flatter route than my normal one in DEEP snow before the ploughs had been round. MY GVs certainly go into 4WD, in fact I'm having to use it now to turn round in the yard because of the mud!
Miss L Toe
Well-Known Member
Oh Dear, I thought this was an exotic Italian breed!!!
nirikina
Well-Known Member
I have a Jimny, the Vitara's little brother. Does the whining happen when idling, or just when driving? In all gears? The bearings went in my gearbox, had to get the gearbox rebuilt. It whined under throttle at first in 4th gear, then soon got worse and was difficult to engage any gear. 4WD still worked though so the transfer box was fine. Cost £600 to fix.
ladyt25
Well-Known Member
When I had mine I have to say I had no issue with the changing to 4WD high ir low ratio - mine wasa 52 reg I think so had the 2 gear sticks which I am assuming yours has as opposed to just the switch in the newer models? I used mine in 4WD a fair bit when doing work in the field and ib low ratio gear on occasion and it was fab. I definitely have read about the gear noise though on google and on ebay ads but noone seems to know what the reason is for it!
Whining only happens in 4WD when driving and in all gears and to get it back to 2WD I have to reverse! It doesn't whine in 2WD.
nirikina
Well-Known Member
Sounds like the 4WD winding up. Vitaras and Jimnys have locking wheel hubs. This means in 4WD the differential is fixed i.e. doesn't slip. Differential is what allows the outside wheel to travel further than the inside wheel when turning or cornering. You should only use 4WD in slippery conditions e.g. when you really need it. If the wheels can't slip to compensate for the outside/inside difference youl will get juddering as the wheels jump, or whining as the driveshaft gets wound up.