keeena

I had a quick question on an odd startup noise I hear from under the hood (couldn't find anything from a search). The noise occurs most times when I start the car. It seems like it only does it if it has been sitting for at least 20 minutes. If the car is still at normal running temp when I start it, then it doesn't seem to happen.

The noise sounds like a low-pitched mechanical "wrrrrrrrr" about two seconds long. It does it twice in a row (about a 4-6 second pause in between). It does it only when I put it in forward gear and start to pull away. If I start the car and first put it in reverse / move backwards, it will not make the noise. But once I put it in forward gear, it makes the noise (twice). If I had to guess, I would say it sounds like some sort of pump. It ALWAYS happens twice and ONLY when I first start the car and select forward gear for the first time after starting it.

Can anyone tell me what this is? I know some cars have weird noises…like loud fuel pumps. Can't tell what this is and it does sound like its coming from under the hood. It is always the exact same pattern of noise. It is a 2K2 TLS w/ 30K miles.

TIA,
-K

dla208

Yes, I hear the same noise, but I have no idea of its origin....
Anyone knows?????

Brian_C6

mine does something similiar when I begin to move. For Example.... I put the car in D4, begin to accellerate, and at about 10mph I hear a "wwrrrrr" noise. My Dodge Avenger did it when I changed gears but this doesn't do it until I begin to move.

Brian

eswartz

That is your anti-lock brake motor running a test. Sometimes it does it once... sometimes it does it twice. You also should be able to feel a very slight vibration through the steering column and/or brake pedal. It's perfectly normal... and although I don't think it has anything to do with the temperature of the engine or the amount of time it has been sitting... I do notice it a lot more in the morning and the evening (when I leave for work and when I leave for home). So... it may run the test after the car as sat for a period of time. It definitely does not do it all the time.

Eric

fla-tls

It's the ABS system. It will always do it twice, and will even do it in reverse (if you get fast enough)!

keeena

Thanks Eric and fla-tls!!

Mine definitely does seem to do it rather often. I have only been starting it a couple times a day (like you said - to go to work and then to go home). Does it every time. But now that you mention it, it does sound like an ABS motor kicking in. I do slightly feel it too. If I start it just like 20-30 minutes after I've stopped it, it doesn't seem to do it (or is less noticeable).

desimakk

i heard a similar type of noise but a lil grindier if that makes any sense...either way i think it was cause i didnt get a chance to get an oil change in a while and once i did i havnt herad it since

benzenato

It sounds very similar to the sound the car makes when the traction control system kicks in. Are y'all sure it's the ABS?

scottosan

Traction control is done by selectives applying braking to individual tires to compensate for loss traction. It's all the same braking system