What is in the dashboard that makes a buzzing sound when you put the key in the ignition and turn it only to position #1?? It sounds like it's coming from behind the Speedo, maybe a bit to the right near the glove compartment... it's just a real loud humming sound, like if you turned up an old amplifier to "10" with no music playing...Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

it's not coming from the speakers, it eminates from behind the dash...very odd...and VERY loud. Try it in the morning when it's very quiet... get in car, turn key only to position #1 and listen.

What is it?

-Joe

 

>>
>>What is in the dashboard that makes a buzzing sound when you put the key in the ignition and turn it only to position #1?? It sounds like it's coming from behind the Speedo, maybe a bit to the right near the glove compartment... it's just a real loud humming sound, like if you turned up an old amplifier to "10" with no music playing...Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
>>
>>it's not coming from the speakers, it eminates from behind the dash...very odd...and VERY loud. Try it in the morning when it's very quiet... get in car, turn key only to position #1 and listen.
>>
>>What is it?
>>
>>-Joe
>>
You don't live in Baghdad do you...??? Seriously, it sounds like an electric fuel pump noise to me......
>>

 

Yep. Mine does that too - for a few seconds. Sounds like one of those handshake buzzers - only quieter.

I started noticing it a couple of weeks ago and now I'm wondering if it's a new sound that I should report to the service folks before the warranty runs out or if it's normal.

Anybody else?

Mine's an '02 MC with about 42K miles.

 

Its the "charging" of the ABS accumalator (pressurization of the system). All cars do it but the driver of the MINI picks up on it due to its placement in the cowl. No biggie.

 

I thought that the buzz was the fuel pump priming the fuel system

You get a few second buzz as the pump primes the system ready for cold-start.

That's what it was on my Golf GTi and then Boxster, and I assume the MINI is the same...

Anyone?

Chris.

 

Another humm/buzzing noise I was surprised to hear was when i twisted the headlight switch to parking lights while the car was off. It made a
humm/buzzing noise...which I think is coming from the headlight leveling
motor.

 

I tend to let all the dash lights come on and turn off before I start the car,I hear nothing other than the cold temp bing.But I'm sure the injectors are priming,but I don't here that.I shut down everything I can when I turn off the car.Cold here,don't want anything running when trying to start at -40

 

As CooperB/Chris stated, on most all of my fuel injected cars, when turning the key to on position you will hear the fuel pump priming and pressurizing the fuel system. It's when you don't hear that sound, is when you have a problem. Been there, done that.

 

My car was in the shop today. They told me that the buzzing sound was the result of low battery voltage so they replaced the battery under warranty.

You may want to have your battery checked too.

 

I'm pretty sure MINImotor is right. The fuel pump priming the fuel system is the noise you may hear from the rear of the car. :smile:

 

My car went into the shop yesterday to have the same buzzing noise checked out.

The tech determined that the buzzing was caused by low voltage to the little motor (whatever motor it is). They discovered that the battery wasn't holding it's charge very well so they replaced it. The battery replacement worked and there is no more buzzing when the key is turned. Now I'll think of the buzzing sound as a low voltage warning device. I just hope that the low voltage situation didn't damage whatever it was that was buzzing!

 

This is 100% true! Actually, I consider that as the sound of a rocket ready to be launched.

 

I have the same noise. I asked the dealer yesterday. First answer was it was my fuel pump "it's normal". So I asked for a tech to get in and explain it to me (since I have never known a fuel pump to noise to continue). After he listened and checked it out for 10 minutes he took it back into the shop. Came back ten minutes later and told me that it was indeed a fan (my suggestion to them when I brought it in) and it was part of the temp. regulation system, and that it was normal. So I asked if I could hear it in a new Mini. He told me he would get one and let me sit in it. He comes back in about 15 mins. and tells me that the fan is excessive and that they will order the whole module the fan is attached to and replace it. You guys can judge for yourselves what went on here.

Which brings me to my next question. How many of you hear an excess of 'air/'squishing' noise when you step on your brake? Mine seems to be louder than it was when I bought it. When I asked the tech he gave me the whole speil about how brake boosters work, blah blah, like I was an 80 y/o granny. So I asked to hear it in a new Mini, just so I could compare. Well he didn't flat out refuse me but let me know that it was a normal sound and wouldn't offer the new Mini. Any thoughts?

Last thing. Buzzing noise from power steering. When the windows are open, car is not moving fast and I turn the wheel it sounds like a swarm of bees around the car. Anyone else?

Thanks for reading and any input.

 

Power steering noise is normal, its an electric motor, not a hp sucking demon on the belt like on most other cars.

 

I have a humming noise, too, and it's not normal. I know the normal humming sounds that occur when the ignition is first turned to position 1, but this humming is constant and loud, and has not been present until the last couple of weeks.

I had my car in for service, today, and they said they thought it was a fan behind the console (behind the little holes near the radio), and that it was normal. I disagreed and told them it was never like this, before. Evidently, my car agrees, since the Check Engine Light would not clear. They are ordering a new DME (is that the right abbrev...it's been awhile since I've been on the forums)...anyway, a new onboard computer...to fix the check engine light problem.

I'm very curious about the low voltage issue, though everything seems to be brightly lit. I originally thought it might be a muffin fan that was going, since they can make awful noises in PC's when they get out of kilter. It will be interesting if it's a battery issue causing all of this trouble.