Its like a constant buzzing or humming or something coming from somewhere behind the speedometer. Even w/ the ignition off and the car sitting all night. What the heck is going on w/ that?

Matt

 

I think you are referring to a fan that keeps spinning for a while, even after the engine has been turned off. The fan can get noisy with time so you can replace it, clean it, or possibly even remove it.

 

And this fan is on non stop twenty four seven and located behind the speedometer?

 

there is a cabin air sensor that has a small fan in it that the hvac system uses and can run independently of the ignition, although it should not be running 24/7. It is in the dash - that little vent looking thingy.

Fuel pump kicking on can sometimes sound like a small fan running and the noise can be hard to pinpoint.

Other than that, can't think of anything else that would do that.

 

The noise is probably the tiny fan which carries on running in humid conditions to circulate the air so you dont get blasted by warm air when you use your climate control.It circulates air across the humidity sensor. It keeps running for a while after you switch off, and starts again when you open a door. It does this so that there is less delay in getting the climate control to the right setting when you switch on (or restart).
Clever, eh?

 

Oooooh wow... You guys might just be right!! It sounds more like an electrical buzzing more than anything but if it turns on everytime you open the door that would certainly make sense! Neat technology man

 

just for verification, yes, it is that weird vent thing that does this noise. You guys were right in it being that humidity control fan. Thanks all

 

thats pretty nifty, this is the vent thing on the right side of the sterring wheel, right, just a bit down

 

Thanks for this info, I also wondered what that buzz was, Reggie

 

ya the vent to the right of the steering wheel. definitely cool stuff!

 

First time I saw this in use was in my 1993 Saab 9000 Aero - it also had auto climate control. The little fan would get squeaky, so you'd have to pull it out every so often and lube it up with sewing machine oil.

 

Sewing machine oil? Good thinking. What about some graphite lube or silicon etc?

 

I dunno. Graphite might be ok since it doesn't attract dirt.

The one in my X has never made a squeak, so I'm not touchin' it!

 

Mine doesn't squeak either.. I can just hear the electrical hum that lets me know something is going on lol