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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHHigh pitched whine on cold start, lasts about 15 seconds
Reported or suspected cause
amp somehow causing a weird drone
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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0
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Suspected cause
I thought it was the amp somehow causing a weird drone from the speakers.
High pitched whine on cold start, lasts about 15 seconds
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Leading evidence: 'amp somehow causing a weird drone' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'amp somehow causing a weird drone' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check engine next time it's cold' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suspected cause
It's like a constant droning sound, which is why I thought it was the rear driver speaker and an amp issue at first.
High pitched whine on cold start, lasts about 15 seconds
Check engine next time it's cold
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Suggestion
I'll have to start the car and check the engine next time it's cold.
High pitched whine on cold start, lasts about 15 seconds
Lubricate bearings
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Suggestion
Some people have been successful in pulling the SAI pump out, removing the plastic housing and re-lubricating the bearings.
High pitched whine on cold start, lasts about 15 seconds
Run perfectly
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Suggestion · Original poster
It just started doing this recently with no other symptoms- the car seems to run perfectly.
High pitched whine on cold start, lasts about 15 seconds
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13 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Here's a link to the video. It just started doing this recently with no other symptoms- the car seems to run perfectly. Noise goes away after about 15 seconds. Any ideas? Car is a 2003 C4 with about 129k miles on it.
You Tube
It could be yourr Secondary air pump. It is located in the left rear of the engine compartment. Unplug the powerwire (two conductor plug) going to it and then start the car. If the whine disappears that would be what you are hearing
Agree, secondary air injection pump (SAI). Sounds like a vacuum cleaner. Comes on with a cold start and very often runs twice or three times over after a cold start. Should sound more like a whooshing sound. But if the SAI pump bearings are going bad, then it starts to make a horrific whine. Open engine bay, start car, and go back and listen carefully on the left side of the engine bay. Some people have been successful in pulling the SAI pump out, removing the plastic housing and re-lubricating the bearings. Do a search.
Wow, this was good timing, literally dealing with this noise now. I thought it was the amp somehow causing a weird drone from the speakers. It comes at cold start and then goes away about 15 seconds later. I hadn't had a chance to properly investigate, but this sounds dead on.
It looks like I could literally just unplug it? Not sure I want to try and rebuild bearings, unless it's really an easy thing, and doesn't require me trying to source bearings from alibaba and then dropping them in the garage and losing half of them...
Or just let it drone?
Here is the location of the SAI pump on a 996.2
This picture is with the engine out of the car, looking from the gearbox toward the "front" of the engine. You can see where the SAI pump is, and guess how to remove it? Would be easier just to drop the engine first.
That is
not
the SAI Pump. The SAI Pump is easily accessible, located in the left rear of the engine compartment. It helps to remove the air cleaner snorkel in order to get better access.
Okay, so maybe my noise is not the SAI pump, "
I would only do this repair if I heard the tell-tale screech/squeal on SAI start-up". No screeching.
It's like a constant droning sound, which is why I thought it was the rear driver speaker and an amp issue at first. Lasts just 20 seconds on cold start.
Reading the posts more now the SAI is on the passenger side
, I thought it was on the drive side right next to the coolant tank. I'll have to start the car and check the engine next time it's cold.
EDIT: Okay it is where I thought it was. ...
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