98 Chevy prizm...makes a whining sound when i take off from a dead stop but only happens evefy every once in awhile

well if you open the hood and cranked it (2man)
and hear the starter spin of crazy super fast 1000 rpm not 300rpm.
and crank shaft pulley is dead?
that is caused by 3 things.
starter solenoid bad (contact inside fused) aka a bad starter today.
or flywheel ring gear stripped. out
or pinion and or fly gear stripped out both. bad starter or fly gear.

but I am deaf and can't hear it.
at all.

I don't think the cable is your problem. Try changing the transmission filter and fluid first. This should have been done at 80,000 miles. Its a 98 so its probably past due.

This happened to my 2001 chevy prizm and it was a fuse blown. The fuse box next to the steering wheel is where it was located. The little box that says "storage only" has to be taken out. Its a blue number 15 fuse. Once I changed it it blew again and it ended up being My front passenger turn signal bulb needed changed. But if you just change the fuse and it stays then it's only the fuse. Hope this helps.

What is whining? Could be several things. Here are a couple of ideas.... Check Power Steering fluid level and transmission fluid level. However, if it is making noise while driving, it could be a wheel bearing. Good Luck.

Add some power steering fluid problem solved if not replace power steering pump problem solved.

Fix your car right away by clicking the link I attached Chevy Prizm 1998 2002 Factory Service Workshop repair manual download

the noise happens running down the road or parked? Is the car a four wheel drive? The alteanator can go bad and whine, the wheel bearings can go bad and whine, windows not fitting right can make a whine The altenator will stop whining if it's unplugged, if this fixes it the battery and the altenater need tested and a bad battery can make the altenator whine and it still be OK. Don't run the engine with the battery disconnected as this can blow alot of expensive stuff and the altenator.

if this happens only in the morning after you start for the first time its the clutch on the fanblade needs replacing

sounds like a power wire or a ground wire is loose or not making contact. also check for fusable link in power line that might have blown.

contact a mechanic