I checked mine with the radio off, it was still there.

I think that tonight or tomorrow I am going to try to pin point it a little more to see if it does seem like it's coming from the steering unit.

I talked to a buddy of mine today on the phone, that is an ASE certified mechanic at a private garage. He told me to bring it to him and he would use a stethoscope and tell me exactly where it is coming from. I explained to him what it sounded like, and he agreed that the noise probably shouldn't be there, but he has not heard it yet so I will see what he says after that.

I am going to try to take it to him after New Years.

I'll keep you posted.

Doug.

 

Oh no, you have that dash rattle too? I had it in my 01, and it drove me nuts!! I hope my 03 doesnt.

 

Actually, I have since fixed that rattle myself.

It was really in the plastic trim piece in front of the passenger door that runs the angle of the roof down to the dash. I used some thick 3M foam tape on the back side of it to keep it from rattling.

Doug.

 

I cant picture what you're saying.

Could you take a picture possibly?

 

bump

 

It's the trim piece that has the grab handles attached to it.

 

I have a 2001 that does the same thing. I think it is the tranny whinning and it only does it in first gear. I don't seem to have any problems.

sil2k1

 

DougS,

Question, but how do you get that piece off? Mines making noise too..

 

My 02 has a slight dash rattle like u guys are talking about, sounds like its from the drivers side, but I have no idea where its coming from.

I don't notice it too much because most of the time I have the tunes blasting anyways, but I am going to try to nip it in the bud.
(it does get on your nerves when it's all quite, and that rattle sounds 10x louder than what it is.

Habibi

 

Pull off the 2 little oval covers on the grab handles. I used a very tiny screwdriver to pop them off, just be careful not to gouge them. Then remove the two nuts that hold the handle on and remove the handle. Then just pull the trim piece straight out, it is just held in by those little metal spring clips.

Doug.

 

And double sided stick foam tape did the trick? Ill have to try that, thank you sir

 

I finally took the truck to my mechanic buddy. He told me that the whine noise is actually coming from the alternator, not the power steering. The noise is internal to the alternator and not coming through the radio speakers.

I took it back to the dealer and finally got the shop foreman to listen to it more closely. Then he pulled over another 2003 from the lot and we listened to it, NO whine noise from it.

The shop foreman said he would get a hold of Ford to see if there are any concern about the alternators. If not, he is still going to have me set up an appointment and bring it in so they can check it out. He even went as far as saying if the alternator checks fine, they will still replace it for the loud whine it makes.

I am waiting for a call back from him after he talks to Ford.

I hope this guy follows through.

Doug.

 

Glad to hear its getting fixed

DougS, on your 03, do you also notice how the steering requires much less effort than previous years? I love that

 

DougS,
Thanks for keeping me up on the whine problem.
Please let me know if your dealer replaces the alternator and if that takes care of the problem.
If it does, then I will have the same done to mine.

Ride Safe,
RickM46

 

03f15054fx4 - to be honest, I have not really noticed a difference in the steering on mine. I had a 2000 before this one so maybe that one was not the same as earlier models either.

Rickm46 - I'll keep you posted, so far, I have not heard back from the dealer. I was there on Monday (which was a holiday, so I do not know if "ford" was available on that day), so I am planning on giving him till Thursday, if I don't hear anything I will call him back then.

Doug.