first!!
Cricetus cricetus!
Sometimes when I go to get in my car (2000 Honda Civic), right after I unlock it using my remote-entry keychain-doohicky, it will make an interesting noise. It comes from the engine, and is best decsribed as a soft mechanical whine, of constant pitch and lasting about two seconds–not entirely dissimilar to an electric can opener, but softer and much quieter.
My layman brain wants to believe that my car, sensing that ignition is imminent, is “preparing” the engine somehow. Or perhaps it simply has something to do with my keyless entry. What is this noise, and do all cars make it?
On my '92 Integra, the power door locks make that noise when I lock the car, but not when I unlock it, so I suspect there is some kind of small motor that moves the door locks.
’
But two seconds and from the engine???.. Wouldn’t be a door lock motor.
Do you have some big fancy alarm on the car, You say a two second whine, so (to me) that rules out any sort of solonoids, maybe some sort of servo that disengages the starter lead wires so the car can’t be started or something like that. That’s strange. If you’re ever near a Honda dealership you could bring it in and ask them, I’d be curious to find out what it is.
Oh BTW if the car is “preparing to start” what you describe sounds almost exactly like a fuel line getting it self pressurized. (The noise you hear from the back of the car (or the front depending on where the pump is) when you first turn the key and before the car starts, it’s quiet so you usually only hear it if the radio/blowers are off.
Yeah, I’m voting for the fuel pump theory…
I’ve not heard the sound from your particular car, but I’ll venture it’s the fuel pump maintaining pressure. My last five cars have all done the same thing, albeit not necessarily in conjunction with the remote locks (four of which had remote locks). That’s two Fords, two GM, and a Honda.
My Honda back in 1995 didn’t have remote locks, but made the noise anyhow. I can’t imagine realistically that the door locks would be coupled with the fuel pump, though. Once you put your key in in the ignition and turn it, it will pressurize quickly enough. Remote door locks, especially on lower-end or base-model vehicles, are typically options. Therefore, how does the manufacture pressurize the fuel delivery system for the folks who didn’t pay the $90 for the remote lock option?
Also, if you’re near your car without even starting it, you may hear the sound at seemingly-random times.