Strange Sound
 

I'm having a problem with my wifes car. When I put the key in the ignition and turn it forward partially (without trying to turn over the engine) there will be a strange clicking sound like 3-4 times followed by a constant high pitched buzz/beep. This is not the key left in the ignition beep or headlights left on beep. It is much quieter than those beeps, is constant, and is definitely coming from under the hood. There is no moving parts in the engine that have turned on at this point.

Anyone have any idea what this might be? Should I be worried? As you can tell i'm pretty automotive-illiterate.

Could it be the motor for the heater/air conditioning?

Would that turn on if I didn't have the heat or AC on?

When I hear the sound the only thing that is on is the running lights, the radio, and likely the main computer. It actually doesn't sound like a mechanical buzz at all. To me it sounds electrical.

Probably not. There are some things that are supposed to start up when you turn the key partially, and what you describe doesn't seem unusual, but I'm out of ideas. You could try popping the hood, turning everything off that can be turned off, and then listening as you turn the key again. Find out where the sound is coming from, then identify that part and go from there. There may be a picture of your engine bay in the owner's manual that can help you with this.

So there are two distinct sounds. The first is the clicking. The clicking occurs about 10 times right when the key is partially turned. My wife turned the key as i listened and it is coming from the area of the motor. The second sound is the very soft buzz. My wife says she knows the clicking is a new sound and doesn't know about the buzz.

Today I changed her drive side low beam headlight but the sounds occur even if it is disconnected s I don't think it is related to me changing the headlight.

Do you drive a Saab by any chance?

No a Mitsubishi outlander.

the clicking could be the fuel pump, if it's noisy. The whining could be the radiator fan.

You might want to check the relays. Usually there is fuse box up by the battery. If the noise is coming from in there you might have a relay "flapping".

You can take off the cover then get a striaght shaft of metal. Place it up against each one. You should feel a slight vibration.

Hope this helps.

Clean your battery terminals, see if the sound goes away. If not, check into a new battery.
The same sound happened to me about a year ago. Corrosion had caused my battery to fizzle out within two years, but the new battery took care of it.

I bet the clicking is your starter solenoid...which would click multiple times instead of turning the starter motor if the battery is weak or there is something wrong with the starter motor.

You could have your battery tested ...hopefully by a reliable honest place that won't just tell you to replace it. Or if you can borrow a known good battery and try it in your car to see if the problem goes away...then get a new battery if that's the problem.

remember the OP said that they were not attempting to start the car, just moving the key to the "on" position. This would not engage the starter relay, and therefore the clicks should not be coming from there.

My wife says the clicks have now gone away. And she can't hear the buzz either (i'm not sure if she ever really could hear it though. I could hear it but it was soft and high pitched.) We are just going to let it go and see if anything comes up.

Yeah, I was going to suggest the fuel pump as well. That seems to be a common problem in Saabs. Was the reason I asked.

The buzz might be normal sound from the fuelinjection system priming or building up pressure in preperation for starting the engine. I have driven cars that do that when the driversdoor is opened so it is not directly linked to starting the engine.
Ofcause it's hard to certain since we can't hear the buzz :-).

Yours
Zweiblumen

So I finally got this checked out. The clicking was due to a bad headlight that would make noise when the daytimers would come on (turning the key to the on position). The buzz was due to feedback into the system because of that bad headlight.