Hello, 2 days ago my car developed a consistent
beeping from under the hood,
sounds like it's coming from the center fire wall area
but is difficult to actually locate where it comes from.
It makes a bright beep about once every 1 second,
a very high pitched beeping and consistent sound.



Here is the really strange thing,
the beeping continues even with the
car engine not running but the key in the
system on position.



The beep is fairly loud in a garage,
less so on the road.
It sounds like a warning beep but
I have no idea for what.


There are no dash lights on or new codes.



Although I have had a P0105 and a P1642
as of late we thought because of the
old alternator and regulator,
but I still get the codes after replacing
so we will now try new MAF sensor.



But the beeping is still present after
codes are cleared and I have had those codes
for about 2 weeks and there was
no beeping until Friday night,
so I do not think it is related issue.



I had a new alternator installed
and the A/C system evacuated last
Wednesday and don't remember hearing
the beep until Friday night.



Anyone have ideas? Thanks for thinking...

Happy Motoring...

 

Hello,
I have just made a discovery that when the car has completely cooled down there is no beeping or chirping when car is first started .
It takes about 1 mile and the temp gauge is ¼ heated up for it to start chirping or beeping and then it will still chirp or beep after car is turned off but left in the on position.

If you have any thoughts on what this is , please respond. The chirping or beeping is loud enough that it is quite annoying.

Thanks.

Happy motoring...

 

Could be coolant flowing through a small opening as the Pressure in the Coolant system Increases/Decreases.

 

Thanks for the reply Paul.
Why would something like that just start after 11 years? I have never heard this noise before.

Also something to note:
the chirping stays the same no matter how fast or slow the car is moving. Engine turned on or off once it has warmed up.

IF IT WAS COOLANT SYSTEM, HOW WOULD I STOP IT?
Would coolant level affect it ?
Just checked, it is normal.

 

Perhaps one of the motors of the electric fans. Electric motors, in general, can cause a squeak due to worn bearings. This would explain why after 11 years (bearings worn), why still on when car turned off (car is hottest and fans are running), and why it doesn't come on until car starts to heat up.
Either way, I would recommend buying one of those car stethoscopes ($10-$15) to narrow down exactly where the noise is coming from. Those stethoscopes are excellent for narrowing down the source or location of noises.

 

If I understand it stops when you turn the ignition to off and restarts when you put it back on?

 

Just to clarify, is this like an electronic beep/sounder or a mechanical noise/squeak?

 

Yes, but only after the car has actually started and run for a bit. When cooled down completely no noise. Then the chirping starts while engine is running and if you turn it off (Key) it stops but when you put the key in the on positon without the engine running it will then start chirping again.

It is difficult to explain the chirp or beep, it does seem to be more electronic than mechanical. but the chirp stays consistent no matter the speed and if engine not running but key in ingnition in the "on" position. Almost seems like an alarm but not real loud, but loud enough to be heard with engine running and going 40 MPH top down.



If you are talking about the fans at the radiator those are not running, the car has not heated up to normal temps even, only ¼ on the scale and usually normal temp is ½ of the gauge scale. Also the chirping seems to come from firewall in the middle around the throttle body. If it was bearing would it not speed up with the car speeding up, the noise stays constant no matter the speed.

I realize it is difficult to explain and understand the explanation, very frustrating I'm sure.

 

The only things I can think of at the moment;

1. I'm pretty sure there's a small cooling fan for the ECM. Perhaps it's developed a problem.

2. When I turn on the ignition, but before engine start, I can hear a faint electronic "whirring" from the throttle body, not a beep. But it's another potential source for a noise.

So you can hear the beeping over the engine noise, road noise, etc? If you could upload a video with sound, that would help us help you.

 

Hi, yes I can hear a faint whirling sound like you would hear from a fan from the firewall throttle body area when I turn the key on with the engine completely cooled down. I will turn the key on and let it run for a while and see if it developes and chirp from that area.

Sorry do not capabilities for video.

 

PROBLEM SOLVED!!

OK, here is what was causing the chirping, beeping or squealing noise.

It was because my windshield wipers were on and I did not know it because I have refinished both wiper arms and have not put them back on yet.
(No rain in sight!)
Thus I could not see that they were on.
The steering wheel does a good job at hiding the wiper control arm inside the car as well.

The noise seems to be coming from the left or center motor post under the gray cowl.
I have not removed it yet, to get to the motor assembly, but I would think a little dry silicone spray or some grease would stop the squeak or chirp pretty fast.

As soon as I turn the wipers off, the noise stopped.

I think this noise would happen with or without the wiper arms installed.

So now if you ever hear a chirp coming from engine area and don't know what it is. Now you have an area to look at. The windshield wiper motor assembly!


Note: the wipers are still on with the key ignition is in the on position thus the chirping even when the engine is off.


Thanks for all off your thoughts and ideas.


I am happy I found the culprit.


Funny how things we do things that create other problems to be solved!

Happy Motoring...

 

That's hilarious. Safe to say that none of us would have come up with that one...glad you found it and now you can relax!

 

How true, glad you found the cause.

 

Mitchell
Did you have a Hommer Simpson moment? Glad that's all it was. Happy Motoring

 

I was just coming to suggest that very thing!

 

Hi,
The funniest and best thread ive read. Bet it put a smile on your face.

best wishes

steve

 

It's good to hear that you found the squeak. It was so funny to read what the source of the sound was!

 

well guys at least its another problem to mark up for the books solved,someone else may get this problem one day,now we have the answer.