High Pitched Squeeling coming from a 93 Previa - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

5_Spd_Previa · 09-01-2005, 08:06 PM

I drive a 1993 Toyota Previa minivan with a manuel transmission (one of the few) and lately it has been making a high pitched squeel that is not related to the brakes.

One evening I began to hear this loud screach coming from what sounded like behind me. I orignally thought that I must have been dragging some piece of metal behind me, but I was not. The first thought was that my braks were in need of replacement but the screaching happened when I wasn't braking. After hearing the screaching I stopped and let the car sit for about 30-45 minutes before attempting to drive it again. After that I did not hear the noise anymore. Since then the noise has come back but to a much lesser extent. When I reverse there is a high pitched squeeling sound that seems to come from behind me. Every now and then (and it is happening more frequently) the noise will kick in while I am driving. I have not been able to determine a pattern of when the noise starts (how fast I'm going, how long I have been driving, what gear I am in, am I on a hill) but I am still concerned. I have since taken the Previa to Toyota for an inspection but they said that unless I could reproduce the noise that they could not help. Has anyone had a similar problem in their Previa?

If anyone could help me out or give me any advice on how to remedy the problem or tell me the extent to which my car needs repair then I would be very appreciatative. Thanks.

-Kristopher

Dango · 09-28-2007, 02:38 PM

I had the same problem with my 93 Previa and I took it in to my mechanic. They searched high and low and found the problem to be my muffler. I didn't believe him at first but he said he had his helper listening for the noise while he revved the engine and that's where the noise came from. Replaced the muffler problem solved. Something for you to think about.

Good Luck!

terbennett · 09-28-2007, 06:54 PM

The noise arises on every Previa. The squealing isn't the muffler; It's caused by the flex pipe. Replacing your muffler will silence it temporarily but the noise will come back. the flex pipe, which is in front of the catalytic converter, is the cause. The noise has always been there; it's just more pronounced with the age of the van. a new exhaust system on my 1991 Previa has confirmed this. The noise just isn't as loud, but it's there. It actually makes the van sound like the Supercharged model. My 1992 Previa also makes the noise but there's nothing fuctionally wrong with it. I just live with it.

itlog · 10-03-2007, 11:09 PM

.......recalling an episode of "caught on tape" on Spike TV - a squad car going after (stolen? fugitive?) Previa. Dang! that van was flyin' like it was on crack and you can clearly hear that infamous "whistle".......there's an extensive thread on this distinct Previan abnormality from another forum confirming terbennetts reply.....'guess you either love or hate that squeal......

ridgerunner55 · 10-06-2007, 11:18 PM

My '94 has the same thing. It seems to vary with engine speed and gets worse at certain RPMs, especially when the engine is under load. I took it to a shop but they were unable to find a cause.

mrbass · 11-09-2007, 06:55 AM

please cheak your fan belts people

xmnishx · 02-12-2008, 12:52 AM

My 93 Previa has a squeal and a whistle. My wife and I noticed the squeal at the car wash when they moved it to wipe the van down. Another website said the squeal was caused by the auxiliary shaft (SAD shaft) Here's the blog.http://forums.truckinweb.com/70/6361...eal/index.html

cmh1129 · 05-22-2010, 03:57 PM

I disagree whith the exaust theory.... not saying that it doesnt exist... it very much does does . I just do not think that from what you described that that is what it is. You said that it was intermitant and sounded like metal dragging. That to me, sounds like a bearing going out. I cant say which one, but from the description you gave, that was my first thought thought. the other thing I thought of next was the rearend.... is it leaking? check the fluid level and while you are there, might as well replace it... Rearends make a squeeling noise sometimes when the go too.
I have had a SAD go bad on me too... and it makes more of a knocking sound.... ( i got a previa super cheap one time cause the "mechanic" thought that the engine had a bad knock. I bought it from him, spent $70 on ebay for SAD bushings, 4 hours later had a smooth as snot running van"....