Technical Whirring noise behind me

[larkim]

Hi

I'm a proud new owner of a 1997 R reg unmodded B (yellow, vinyl hood, 25k miles) which I am completely delighted with! Apart from the obvious bits (looks, handling etc) I'm loving the fact that I can almost guarantee that every day I go out in it I won't see another one around - there aren't many cars you can say that about! Having said that, I'd be delighted to see another one on the road every now and again, so if you're in the north Cheshire area, keep a look out for me - I promise to wave!

I've posted on usenet (http://groups.google.co.uk/group/al...e81b0/6357e05f5241a1e0?hl=en#6357e05f5241a1e0) wondering about a noise that is going on behind me, and apart from one very helpful post solving the start up noise (most likely the fuel pump, makes sense) I haven't heard anything from anyone regarding the other noise.

The car is under warranty from the dealer that I got it from, but I'd like to know what the likely source of this noise is. If anyone can help me out I'd really appreciate it!

Cheers!

Matt

 

[custard]

save people going to another board

I've just got myself a 1997 Barchetta (25k miles, apparently in very
good nick!) which I am delighted with.


Over the last couple of days though I've noticed an odd electronic
motor noise apparently coming from behind me which I'm sure wasn't
there before. There are two parts to this.


When I start up the electronics (!) in the car, I hear a motor sound
(almost as if an electric window or radio aerial were going up) coming
from behind me. After about 3-4 seconds this completes and there is
silence. If I press an electric window button during this time the
noise reduces in frequency (i.e. sounds lower) which to my mind says it
is something else electric making that noise. I don't know what it is,
and I'd like to know, but as it just sounds like something priming
itself / resetting ready for use then I'm just curious. (Ah, just had
a thought - is that the seatbelt pre-tensioner?)


The other point though is a fairly continuous reasonably high pitched
noise, not particularly loud but quite audible even when the radio is
on. THis only seems to appear just after getting going with the motor
running, but is present when stationary as well as moving. Again,
depressing the electric window up button causes the note to drop
slightly, so it does appear to be electric. And again the noise
appears to be coming from behind me. It doesn't appear to be audible
from outside of the cockpit, so my assumption is that it is something
internal. THe noise is getting on my nerves a bit, and if it is a
motor that is continually trying to "do" something I'm conscious that
ignoring it may not be the best option. Is it likely to be some
electronic lock on the hood cover? I've tried putting that up and
really closing it firmly and that seemed to make no difference.


Any thoughts, either from Barchetta owners or just other fiat savvy
individuals, greatly appreciated!!


Matt

 

[custard]

well its not a pretensioner as these are only activated during an impact by a small charge.they dont dont do anything outwith this.
loves those cars in yellow. is it a manual or electric hood on those?
the noise changing will be the (insert whatever it is)getting less power as the electric widow draws power.

 

[larkim]

Cheers for that custard boy - I didn't cut and paste myself in case that was frowned on round here!!

Its a manual hood, and I agree I think yellow is the dogs balearics (for Fiat's generally). There are so few yellows out there, you just know its a fiat when you can see a yellow dot in the distance!

Matt

 

[custard]

interesting,i wondered if it was the hood settling but if its manual.
only thing i can suggest apart from lying under the car and moving around it while some one turns the engine on and off for different areas.
if the hood is up does it make a difference to the noise?eg is it in the cabin or outwith?

 

[docorangepeel]

Hi
Bit of a shot in the dark but is it not something to do with the buzzer that comes on when the boot and the soft top lid are open together?

Doc Orange Peel
Ps I will set my buzzer going tonight and then open and close a window to see if the buzzer sound changes.

 

[larkim]

Doc

I'd thought of that - I must admit I haven't actually managed to trigger the alarm yet, so I don't know what that would / should sound like (i.e. whether it is the right volume / pitch). If it was that though I would have expected the buzzer to sound louder than it does.

I just can't think of anything else motorised that would be behind me. Maybe I'm being fooled by the acoustics and I'm placing the sound in the wrong place. It certainly isn't the blowers or window motors though.

Matt

 

[docorangepeel]

Hi
Pop the boot so its only just open and then open the softtop cover fully and you will set the buzzer off.

Doc Orange Peel

Ps I take it you have had the heating fan off and the head unit turned off? changed the airflow of the heater? All makes no difference ?