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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 12:14 PM
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Default high pitched whine

heres a dumb question?...i have a bone stock 98. whats that high pitched whine ...or even a whistle that i hear whenever i start the car?...it goes away after a minute or two...its definately under the hood and it definately sounds like it was designed to do it...

im an idiot....

Don
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 02:38 PM
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Most likely your belt tensioner pulley. Take the belt off, start for 10 seconds and see if noise goes away.
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by DonsC5
heres a dumb question?...i have a bone stock 98. whats that high pitched whine ...or even a whistle that i hear whenever i start the car?...it goes away after a minute or two...its definately under the hood and it definately sounds like it was designed to do it...

im an idiot....

Don
Probably the air pump....
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 03:32 PM
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air pump....thats a great answer....i mean internal cumbustable engine is nothing but a big air pump....i like that...now seriously...it turns on and off by itself when i come to a complete stop and put it in park...sometimes it last for 30 seconds...sometimes it last for 5 seconds...i doesnt sound belt related or like its the tension pulley...sounds like some computer or something....i may be an idiot but im just curious....
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by DonsC5
air pump....thats a great answer....i mean internal cumbustable engine is nothing but a big air pump....i like that...now seriously...it turns on and off by itself when i come to a complete stop and put it in park...sometimes it last for 30 seconds...sometimes it last for 5 seconds...i doesnt sound belt related or like its the tension pulley...sounds like some computer or something....i may be an idiot but im just curious....
I'm telling you....it's part of the emissions controls....it's the air pump..mounted to the front of the engine....It pumps fresh air into the exhaust manifolds to help light off the catalyst faster during cold starts....that's the high pitched noise...and it's also why your headlights will flicker during a cold start @ night...
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by DonsC5
air pump....thats a great answer....i mean internal cumbustable engine is nothing but a big air pump....i like that...now seriously...it turns on and off by itself when i come to a complete stop and put it in park...sometimes it last for 30 seconds...sometimes it last for 5 seconds...i doesnt sound belt related or like its the tension pulley...sounds like some computer or something....i may be an idiot but im just curious....
HAHA! I bet you feel like an *** now. He is being serious. Look into it.
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by JCamaro
I'm telling you....it's part of the emissions controls....it's the air pump..mounted to the front of the engine....It pumps fresh air into the exhaust manifolds to help light off the catalyst faster during cold starts....that's the high pitched noise...and it's also why your headlights will flicker during a cold start @ night...
Not sure if that's it, because mines be shut off, (and now removed) for a LONG time, so I don't remember what it even sounds like but If you want to check it, it's located right under the headlights on the drivers side. You could raise the lights and listen in that area, or jack the front of the car up, and remove the outer plastic piece under the bumper and actually see it.
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 04:43 PM
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Originally Posted by BOTTLE FED
Not sure if that's it, because mines be shut off, (and now removed) for a LONG time, so I don't remember what it even sounds like but If you want to check it, it's located right under the headlights on the drivers side. You could raise the lights and listen in that area, or jack the front of the car up, and remove the outer plastic piece under the bumper and actually see it.
I've been searching the forums for a good link for the OP but can't seem to find one....I'm fairly certain I had the same question 3 years ago when I first got my c5....and that was the answer.
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by JCamaro
I'm telling you....it's part of the emissions controls....it's the air pump..mounted to the front of the engine....It pumps fresh air into the exhaust manifolds to help light off the catalyst faster during cold starts....that's the high pitched noise...and it's also why your headlights will flicker during a cold start @ night...
X2. Both my LSX cars do it.
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 06:04 PM
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I've always wondered that too.
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by DonsC5
im an idiot....
Thanks for the heads up....we figured it out though.....
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 09:32 AM
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while we're on the subject, is there any downside to unplugging that stupid noise maker? I've already got the code programmed out.
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by mcgilles
while we're on the subject, is there any downside to unplugging that stupid noise maker? I've already got the code programmed out.
Big fuse #50 isn't it? But you better have the code programmed out or it will code as inpoerable.
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Old Apr 18, 2009 | 06:10 PM
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ok...i do feel like an A$$....but you are right...its is a small motor under the drivers side headlight...thanks for the info...you guys rock....
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