I have noticed on my 2012 Countryman that there is a noise the happens for about 2-3 seconds when I open the drivers side door. It sounds like a small motor running. Anyone know what this is?

 

What's happening with the car just before you're opening the door? Have you just turned off the engine and you're preparing to get out?

If the car thinks the turbo is too warm, it will fire up the fan for a little while after the engine is shut down until it's happy with the temperature.

 

The noise happens when I open the door from the outside and the car has been sitting for a little while. If I had to guess, I would say it sounds like a fuel pump running.

 

Mine does the same, no clue what it is. Sounds like air or fluids being sent somewhere in anticipation of driving

 

Yep, same here. You'll even hear it when hitting the rear hatch release.

Nothing to be concerned about - it's the same with every one I've seen. Although, I do admit that I freaked out the first day the fans kept running after the car was off... Turbo newbie here.

 

I know this sounds weird but I was told that BMWs and MINIs will run the fuel tank mounted fuel pump to pressurize the fuel system in preparation for an engine start. My wife's BMW will do this if I slam the garage door!

The S MINIs do have a small turbo coolant pump that will hum a few minutes after engine shutdown. You can barely hear it but this pump only runs after a shutdown.

 

I think not just the Countrymans ... I literally just came up from the garage, car has been parked all day without being driven. Opened the door to get something out of the glovebox and heard that little motor whir ... have no idea what it is, but it happens in my 09 MCS.

 

I thought it was the motor that unlocks the fuel door, but pressurizing the tank seems likely.

 

I kept thinking it was pressurizing something on the suspension, but I could not find anything relating to electro-hydraulics, so I guess it is pressurizing the fuel tank.

 

Actually I think it pumps up the fuel rail pressure in the fuel injection system but not the actual fuel tank itself. The pressure in the fuel tank occurs as fuel warms up or fuel is shaken up when driving.

 

Happens on mine too. It's normal anticipation that it's going to get driven.

 

In addition to this noise, I also hear this white noise coming from the speakers and tweeters. The radio is off when this occurs. Kinda like a very light static hissing. It stops after a few minutes if you dont start the car.

 

We have the same thing in our Countryman non-S. I also had the same thing in one of my previous cars when the large aftermarket fuel pump would prime the system, so I have always thought that is what happens since it does it when you unlock the doors.

 

I hear 2 noises. When I open any door you can here a pump. I was told it is the fuel system priming. If you sit in the car long enough after you turn off the engine, you can hear it again.

My big concern was that I hear a hissing sound up front behind the radiator after I turn off the engine. It runs for a good few minutes. I was told it is the pressure release from the turbo. Not really confident in that answer because the mini dealer had to hear it. If they knew it was that, I would have felt better if they knew about it right up front. Anyone else hear this noise and get a different or same answer. The car runs well and no dummy lights come on.

2012 countryman s, crystal grey and black roof. Everything on it except sport package.

 

We all hear the same thing. Don't worry!

The pump on unlock or door open is normal, as is the shutoff click and pump noise a few minutes later.

The sound after you turn the car off is coolant still circulating to cool the turbo, which is a good 400-600 degrees.

 

I hear it too but I've always assumed it's an actuator unlocking the steering column.