my wifetold meher '04 accord has been making a high-pitched noise when she is going in reverse. i listened, and it isn't as high-pitched as squeeky breaks...i almost would compare it to a dying car horn that's been going for too long. probably not the best way to describe it -- but either way, it is annoying.
i'm pretty basic with my car knowledge (e.g., i feel like a friggin' champwhen i do simple things like change the oil, change the air filter, and clean the spark plugs), but i want to be able to do as much as i can without running to the mechanic with every minor problem.
to kinda test some things out (what exactly??? i don't know -- like i said, i'm kinda clueless with most car stuff), i put the car in reverse with the emergency brake on to see if it would make the noise, and it didn't. so, that made me feel better because -- to me, at least -- it meant that there isn't a problem with the gear or transmission or anything else like that (that may not have made much sense, but i felt proud typing it, so i'm gonna leave it), but rather that it is a problem with the wheel orrotor, etc. anyways -- so i don't look like a complete idiot when trying to fix it on my own (e.g., going to a parts store and asking, "uhhhh, can i have somethin' nice and neat and shiny to fix my purty wife's car??? it's makin' a noise in reverse, and by golly i wants to fix 'er."), i'd appreciate any help.
thanks for taking the time to help.

 

Could you count the pedals on the drivers floorboard? 2 or 3?

 

i am not being sarcastic when i say this: thanks for dumbing it down for me. seriously --i'd rather answer a dumbed-down question accurately than sound like an idiotanswering a question too technical for me.but to answer your question, there are 2 pedals -- it's an automatic.

thanks for replying.

 

chk the brakes, especially the rears .
And input the year and model in your signature , it might make it easier for people who are trying to help to know what car we are trying to help with

 

i'll do that. but, if it were the brakes, wouldn't it get louder as i press on the brakes? it is loudest when in reverse and i'm not pressing the brake pedal at all.
and i think i updated my signature with the year and model, but in case i didn't... '04 ex.

 

I had a noise coming from the back when it was only in reverse. Turned out to be a busted tail pipe hanger.

 

thanks...i'll check that out.
an update: it has now started to make the same noise when in drive. it's not as loud,but it was making the noisewhen going about 55 mph on the interstate without the brakes applied.

 

Brake pads have little steel tabs that screetch against the rotor when the pads wear out. But I've had it where it would make an almost musical tone, only when backing. It would get quiet when I apply the brakes.

Then after a few more weeks of wearing out the brakes, it turned into the normal fingernail-on-chalkboard noise of the brake-wear indicators.

 

I have 2003 Accord EX, 4 cylinder, automatic transmission, with about 79000 miles. It has a similar (maybe the same) problem: whining noise ONLY while backing up even when I do not apply the brake. So, should I have the brake checked?

 

Welcome!
Yes, have the brakes checked. Or remove the wheels & check yourself.