Humming Sound
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Monroe NC
Humming Sound
First, please be patient, I did a search of this section to see if the problem I'm experiencing was listed, but I could not find anything that seemed similar. So...
Imagine if you will the Emergency Broadcast sound you hear when they test it on TV or the Radio...on a scale of one to ten, ten being what you hear on a broadcast facility, the sound in my 97 Vette is around a three or four.
It can be heard at idle and low speeds. Faster speeds and road noise drowns it out. However, when stopped with the blinker on, the sound fades in and out in synch with the blinker's cadence. It doesn't seem to be effected by the radio being on or off, the lights on or off, or the heat/ac fan.
I bought the car in Nov '09 and it has less than 30K miles. The noise was not present then, at least I was not noticing it. The dealer I bought the car from had it checked out both in GA, where the car was originally located, and here in NC when they received it before I picked it up. The car is flawless inside and out and appears to be well cared for.
Then this sound.....
Does anyone have an idea of what the problem might be?
Imagine if you will the Emergency Broadcast sound you hear when they test it on TV or the Radio...on a scale of one to ten, ten being what you hear on a broadcast facility, the sound in my 97 Vette is around a three or four.
It can be heard at idle and low speeds. Faster speeds and road noise drowns it out. However, when stopped with the blinker on, the sound fades in and out in synch with the blinker's cadence. It doesn't seem to be effected by the radio being on or off, the lights on or off, or the heat/ac fan.
I bought the car in Nov '09 and it has less than 30K miles. The noise was not present then, at least I was not noticing it. The dealer I bought the car from had it checked out both in GA, where the car was originally located, and here in NC when they received it before I picked it up. The car is flawless inside and out and appears to be well cared for.
Then this sound.....
Does anyone have an idea of what the problem might be?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa Alabama
St. Jude Donor '10
I bought a 97 last August. I have the humming noise too.I have been told the humming noise has something to do with the fuel pump. It sounds like it is behind the drivers seat. We got rid of the squealing/cricket chirping noise by replacing both belts with the gator belts. We just turn up the music to get rid of the humming noise!
L
L
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,869
Likes: 252
From: Hillsboro OR
After market HID ballasts can go bad and sing (high pitched audible frequency). My fuel pump whines once in a while. Other possiblites are belt/tensioner, alternator.... You'll need to do some more detective work, possibly with a friend to help isolate the sounds source.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 32
From: cruising between USA and Canada... SAVE THE WAVE!
fuel pump.
in '99 they added some sound deadener and did something else that cut the humming down.
I have it in my '98 and notice it when I'm listening for it.
100% normal.
in '99 they added some sound deadener and did something else that cut the humming down.
I have it in my '98 and notice it when I'm listening for it.
100% normal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
It is the fuel pump and my directional makes it do that, too. The electrical surge from the lights blinking on and off causes minor voltage changes in the system that makes the running fuel pump slightly change speed which changes the volume of the sound you hear. They all do this to varying degrees, just some you can hear more than others. My '98 was more noticeable than my '03 Z06.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I agree with the fuel pump as well. Slide your driver's seat forward and stick you head on the carpet right behind the seat back area, engine running and so on. If its the pump, you'll hear it quite clear right there.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 0
From: Tuscaloosa Alabama
St. Jude Donor '10
It is the fuel pump and my directional makes it do that, too. The electrical surge from the lights blinking on and off causes minor voltage changes in the system that makes the running fuel pump slightly change speed which changes the volume of the sound you hear. They all do this to varying degrees, just some you can hear more than others. My '98 was more noticeable than my '03 Z06.
L
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: Wright City MO
It is the fuel pump and my directional makes it do that, too. The electrical surge from the lights blinking on and off causes minor voltage changes in the system that makes the running fuel pump slightly change speed which changes the volume of the sound you hear. They all do this to varying degrees, just some you can hear more than others. My '98 was more noticeable than my '03 Z06.
Not as noticable in the warm weather; really noticable in the cold but generally deminishes as I drive it.
Nothing to be concerned about; turn up the radio.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: tyler tx
It is the fuel pump and my directional makes it do that, too. The electrical surge from the lights blinking on and off causes minor voltage changes in the system that makes the running fuel pump slightly change speed which changes the volume of the sound you hear. They all do this to varying degrees, just some you can hear more than others. My '98 was more noticeable than my '03 Z06.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
modify your exhaust systems, and that seemed to fix alot of the noises I used to hear before my heads and cam package 
Now I dont hear them, dont think about it, and the car runs great
Now I dont hear them, dont think about it, and the car runs great
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: tyler tx