Sequence of sounds at startup

[Brad Sewell]

I'm not looking for a tongue twister, but instead a tutorial. Can you guys tell me what all these sounds mean?

Begin with a dead cold engine and turn the key:

Chick - Chick (sounds like it comes from the passenger front of the engine)

ZZZZZZZZZZZ (fuel pump, I think)

Click (under the driver side windshield wiper, starter solenoid, I think)

And what happens when I don't hear the ZZZZZZZZZZZ that I think is the fuel pump priming?

[GOLDCYLON]

Your ABS pump makes a noise before starting as well. Thats behind the drivers seat

[VetteMed]

I've noticed the ABS making noise only after beginning to roll from a stop (accompanied by ABS ACTIVE telltale lamp).

If the ZZZZZZZZZZZZ fuel pump sound is not heard, it's probably because the rail is already primed (due to recent engine running or prior key-on prime cycle). Or a dead fuel pump, fuel pump relay, etc.

[A26B]

I'm not looking for a tongue twister, but instead a tutorial. Can you guys tell me what all these sounds mean?

Begin with a dead cold engine and turn the key:

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRg6T2LJ4G4PA6px0i_unRtqM1n7fhO7 kEVRzXGBQAptmbiDY73


Chick - Chick (sounds like it comes from the passenger front of the engine)

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQKCYs22I59A0UT6CTHC9ZwgeHFCbuMh _yo_hYuRk375t889w26PQ




ZZZZZZZZZZZ (fuel pump, I think)

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQvDRFaFekfg8wXWUDewlNc40dGVD_hC 2G9yVqMKA6KdkMygUqf




Click (under the driver side windshield wiper, starter solenoid, I think)

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSNpfePlNexGOdFAg-CYBWd9Lt8xYm-YPBffWnzZ6bSJDaJX8-J




And what happens when I don't hear the ZZZZZZZZZZZ that I think is the fuel pump priming?
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRQiQx_FMxQK6JV64815U4p8fRTDWSME 8KVabg-Lm4PBjXfo06S1w

[scottfab]

Sounds all normal except the part where the engine cranks at the end and starts.

[gbrtng]

If the ZZZZZZZZZZZZ fuel pump sound is not heard, it's probably because the rail is already primed (due to recent engine running or prior key-on prime cycle).
Not true - the pumps run for one second every time you turn the ignition on.

[VetteMed]

Mine doesn't run for 1 second as you describe. Just FWIW.

[mike100]

Mine doesn't run for 1 second as you describe. Just FWIW.

They do on my 91..maybe 2 seconds to prime from zero pressure. If you just crank and go- the engine won't fire right off the bat.

[VetteMed]

They do on my 91..maybe 2 seconds to prime from zero pressure. If you just crank and go- the engine won't fire right off the bat.

Mine does prime from zero pressure. Once primed, the pump will not run again with Key-On-Engine-Off unless I wait for pressure to drop.

[Brad Sewell]

I drove my car yesterday and the fuel pump did not run before starting the car. And the car started fine. 3 times.

I think I remember in the past the pump would run until I started the car.

[mike100]

I drove my car yesterday and the fuel pump did not run before starting the car. And the car started fine. 3 times.

I think I remember in the past the pump would run until I started the car.

If the pressure regulator has not bled down to zero pressure, the fuel pump won't run. Mine does if it has been sitting over night.

[John Boothby]

The pump you are talking about might just be the electric vac pump in right front of engine compartment. This pump will activate for a few seconds when the key is turned on. It should go off. If it runs for more than 10 seconds you might have a vac leak. The pump may not come on if the resivor is full.

[Don in VT]

Hi,

My fuel pump is more like a HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. (2 sec.)

My secondaries pump is more like BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ (3 sec)

My ABS is more like GROANNNNNNNNNNNNN @ 3 MPH (2 sec)

My worn out dual mass flywheel is more like KNOCKA,KNOCKA,KNOCKA (All the time)

My tranny input shaft is more like RATTLE, RATTLE, RATTLE (all the time)

All of these little noises make the car what it is. After all, it is a 20 something year old piece of automotive history.

Cheers,

Don:Eagle: