Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

You're first reply was:


I'm seeing a variety of answers so far, and if need, I will make a video in the morning.

Before I go buy an new ignition, I'd like to really know that is likely to to be the culprit.

You also say or battery, I don't see how a battery can cause a bzzzzt sound from the steering column.

I've had an older honda and experienced battery problems several times, never has the steering column made such a noise

A SiQ TL

^^his first reply also had

often when you see you should highlight the entire post for a hidden message.

go back to his first post and try it

Majofo

A dead battery / low-voltage state of your battery will trigger relay and switch to make noise.

snake134

iTrader: (1)

well it's been a week since i've had the problem, so i'll see if it comes up again.

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

The problem has become intermittent for me as well.
I've been trying to catch it on camera and finally got it recorded today.
I cranked it and held it. The noise came on and the motor wouldn't even begin to crank, only the noise.
I turned the key back to I and then attempted to crank again and the car started.

It is starting to sound like it is from below, so I will attempt changing the main relay.

Here is the video, turn up the sound to hear the noise.

Majofo

relay, remove under-dash fuse panel and see if it gets louder.

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

Are you referring to this fuse panel?



I looked at the manual, so I think one of the big black ones is what I am after correct?


Or am I really looking for this as the culprit?

Majofo

nokkieny

Right before I had to replace my battery it did this for a while and every time, basically would make that noise as long as I held the key I believe. After the battery it went away and now it happens every now and than, maybe 1/10 starts.

Majofo

Check the voltage and see if the voltage drops significantly when you crank/start.

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

Swapped out the relay today. Too early to tell since the sound has become random.
I do still hear a small "click click" somewhere. No idea if that is related.

I had a foglight relay that was bad too, upon going to the parts store I found out they both use the same relay.

I bought 2 relays and thought I would try this.

I put the new relay into the fuse panel, and took out the suspect relay and replaced the busted foglight relay.
The foglight relay was obviously bad, there was a loose piece inside.

The foglights work with the relay I took from the fuse box. Not sure if that means the relay wasn't bad in the fuse panel.

So battery is the next culprit, or could it be one of the other relays?

Majofo

It's the only relay that is activated upon start-up. It really didn't need replacing. The buzz from the ignition switch / relay is a long known issue that doesn't require a fix. If you still hear a buzz / click, check the battery voltage and starting voltage as an indication of the cold starting amps.

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

Still makes the noise, checking the battery next

DuoDSG

At first I thought the OP was referring to a steady "bzzzz" sound that kicks in as you turn the key (and only lasts for less than a second), but from that video I see that it's not at all what I've seen in my car.

The sound in the video is a lot more clicky and grinding-sounding than what I've seen in every TL I've driven or ridden in.

I hate cars

Majofo has nailed it several times. It's a relay/ignition switch. Mine used to do this occasionally but never bad enough that the car wouldn't start. Since I've replaced the failing battery, it has never happened again. Usually the clicking is the electromagnet part of the relay either failing or not enough voltage to hold it's position. Mine would still work when it made the noise and my noise was at a higher frequency. With the sound of yours, it's no surprise it doesn't always work. Relays are cheap so you can spend a few bucks and throw parts at it or find an identical relay from another circuit that's not being used at the time and try it.

Again, it can be low battery voltage or low voltage caused by the ignition switch or anything else in the circuit. It usually doesn't require much current at all to trigger the relay. Maybe Majofo with his background can clarify but it seems like they're sensitive to voltage drops even though they require only a few miliamps to trigger.

I hate cars

I missed posts 51 and 53. Time to do as they said and start checking voltages. You can also leave the relay out completely and try starting it just to make sure the noise goes away with it gone.

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

Originally when it acted up it was a "bzzzzzzzzzzzzz" and it was much louder.

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

Finally freed up to have the battery looked at. Went to the dealer for an oil change and battery check was part of the inspection.
They said the battery was fine.
As I pulled out and cranked it, bzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
I've isolated the area of the noise, it's coming from behind the VSA switch area.

Majofo

Trust me.. they didn't test the battery. Car turned over.. battery check = pass.

Majofo

As I posted before, do this:

ultimatum127

thats not the battery, i can tell you that i thought you were referring to the same sound that i had a few weeks ago except mine was much much louder and coming from the engine bay, that was a battery problem. This doesnt sound like that, if you are still able to start the car sometimes it might be hte alternator even though those rarely break or might be the starter if you checked the relays??? Anyways just my 2 cents!

Majofo

Keep your change.

Also, when are you going to send me pics of your hot ex?

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

Understood.
I don't have a volt meter, I will hit up the auto store and ask them to use theirs.

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

Had a voltmeter on the car today. At rest it showed 12.6V.

At crank the lowest it went down to was 10.2V.

EvilJoker

there are several cars that will do that when turing the key TOO SLOW when starting the car

I hate cars

This thread is still going on?

I had the buzz, especially when turning the key too slowly. Probably 10-15 times over the last year or two. Replaced teh battery about 4 months ago, maybe more, and have never had the sound again. It can crank the car and still be low/bad.

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

Have also tried to turn it fast, all it does it result in the bzzzt sound and no cranking at all.

EvilJoker

the sound is a shorting or arcing sound.. even light switches in the house do it if you flip the switch very slowly... my car will do it when I rotate the key too slow into the start position...

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

Yes, so at this point we can rule out the battery, the starter relay, and the ignition switch.

It is some component behind the VSA switch area. That is where the sound is coming from.

Majofo

Majofo

That's a 20% drop. That's not drastic enough to not kick in the starter relay but low enough to register.

Majofo

This.

Majofo

OP.. I say you start replacing all your fuses and relays until you figure it out.

Majofo

Come to think of it.. some TL's came equipped with a piezo electric buzzer under the master cylinder inside of the firewall, underneath the dash. You might have been one of the lucky few. It's triggered by a delay response from ignition to relay. It was installed to scare away car thiefs who were trying to bypass the ignition. You might check that..

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

I've tried cranking fast and slow, it does not discriminate.

TEgo821

Did you turn your radio and AC off?

Turn not turning the key so hard...

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

I've tried that.

I hate cars

You might want to rethink post 69,

Bruce Banner

iTrader: (2)

and?

bengreenspan

I just replaced my starter and ignition switch and buzzing problem gone, starts right up. Cost 551.00 from local repair shop parts and Labor included. The mechanic told if i would have replaced ignition switch right away that I could have saved the starter from shorting out, but i drove around for months like this until finally one day it wouldn't start at all and I had to have it towed to the repair shop.

Fix the buzzing right away and you will save your starter.