KeeGirl96

Ok, so I have a 96 XJ thats making a weird noise that sounds like its coming from the front drivers side of my xj. It makes a high pitched whining noise, but it doesnt do it when I turn the wheel. Ive replaced the power steering pump not to long ago and like I said before it doesnt make the noise when I turn the wheel. It doesnt make this sound all the time but now most of the time(it just started one day). Any ideas of what it could be? If need be i can try to give more of a detailed description...just ask lol.

krazynezz

Does it do it in park? If it does next time it does it get out and figure out exactly where its coming from.

KeeGirl96

It will do it in park and when I'm stopped at a light...I have opened the hood to take a look and it sounds like its coming from the power steering pump area but i just replaced that and there isnt any leaks..so im a bit confused lol

goneboating06

Sounds like your water pump is shot. Have you ever replaced it?

KeeGirl96

Not since I've owned it(and from the way the guy treated my xj before i got it, i bet he didnt either). Would there be any other "signs" that thats what the problem is? How can I check it?

goneboating06

The water pump when it goes out will make kind of a whirling noise and will increase with rpm. Sometimes the noise comes and goes, and sometimes it gets very loud, and others its quiet. However it will just get to the point where its just loud all the time. The water pump is common to go out on higher mile cherokees. You say the sound comes from the power steering pump area? The water pump is close to the power steering pump. You won't usually have any overheating issues when the pump is going bad, unless the pump seizes. Sometimes the pump will leak when it's going out as well. It's a good thing to replace regardless, but I'd say it's a very good chance that's your problem

KeeGirl96

That sounds about right, ill check it out and most definately replace it and see if that helps. I know Chevys water pumps will leak when they start to go out but wasnt sure about the cherokees

goneboating06

Sounds like a good plan! And just as a heads up, I've replaced my water pump twice. The first time it was old and needed to be replaced, the second was the result of the pulley bolts loosening and taking out the water pump bearing with it. I have found that is much easier to take off the header panel and radiator when replacing the water pump. It only takes 15 minutes max to pull off the header panel. It's easy, and it reduces scraped knuckles, frustration, and in my expierence, time. Also my jeep is lifted, so the top of the header panel is about chest high. When I did the water pump the first time it hurt my back and chest laying over the grill to get to the water pump. The second time was much better with the header panel off. Just my 2 cents worth! Good luck

KeeGirl96

My girl is lifted too, so hopefully she wont be too difficult lol. I've found out that almost all the parts on my XJ I've had to replace more than once,...especially the motor mounts lol.

taylor_usmc72

Thas funny. im on my third xj and it's a 96, and I've had to replace more parts on this on than the other two combined and they were both older. totally worth it though.

KeeGirl96

Ive owned alot of vehicles, but my XJ seems to like to drain me of money...im always replacing parts and theyre usually the smallest and most difficult lol