I was leaving Home Depot the other day and heading to Wal-Mart when a funny whining sound came from under the dash. The sound rose and fell with the engine acceleration/deceleration. The low fuel light came on at the stoplight, along with the oil light. The gauge needles were bouncing up and down as well.

Wal-Mart was only a mile up the road, so I went there and shut off the engine. I got a couple of things there and went and started the truck. The whine was gone, and I was left with only a memory of the incident.

Well today, it happened again. I was on my way to work and was about two miles away. I just went on to work, and when I left 12 hours later, everything was fine.

The truck is a '97 4.6 with 251k. Has anyone had something similar to this? I can't hear the whine in the engine compartment, only in the cab. I figure its electrical in nature, but I'm having trouble trying to figure out where or what.

 

I think I figured this out. It was nothing more than a failing positive side cable end. It was just barely corroded, and twice the truck failed to start until I loosened and twisted somewhat the connector. I replaced the cable end and have not had this whining sound now for a few days.