Strange sound when the key is in ON position

[Jor-el]

Guys, my relative's Lancer 2013 makes a strange noise when the key is in "ON" position (video below). The sound comes from the engine bay, It's only heard when the bonnet is opened.(somehow the sound is very noticeable on the video) What might be the problem?

 

[Davy]

The video gets stuck from 0:15 onwards for me, but the audio goes on. 

From what I see, the sound seems to be emitted from the throttle body area, and it sounds like an electric hum. Am I right? The only components in the throttle body I can think of that can make this kind of sound is the electronic throttle or the idle control stepper motor, but highly unusual. 

Is there any issue with the car? Or is it just that the sound is heard and the car operates normally? Also, does the frequency of the sound change/intensify/soften if you gently press the accelerator pedal while the sound is heard?

I should try this on my car. Will let you know. 

 

[Jor-el]

Well the sound is heard only when the key is in "ON" position

There is no apparent issue, I drove it today couple of kms, didn't detect anything unusual

Will check pressing the accelerator while the key is in on position, gimme 10 mins

[Jor-el]

Nope pressing the accelerator while the key is ON didn't change the noise. There is a 1,2 second ticking sound when key is turned to ON but that sound was there as long as I can remember. This sound continues without change when the accelerator is pressed.

[Jor-el]

Another sound comes for a brief moment if you change the gear to R while keeping the key in "on" position, like a motor. That sound goes away when gear is moved to P or N, this sound continues without change. Can't distinguish this sound when the engine is running.

[Jor-el]

Similar incident : http://club4g.org/board/problem-reports/54642-electrical-buzzing-humming-noise-coming-engine-bay.html Unfortunately the video doesn't work

http://projectlancer.net/forums/topic/5398-buzzing-noise-from-engine/

Edited November 23, 2016 by Jor-el

[Davy]

  On 11/23/2016 at 11:42 AM, Jor-el said:

Nope pressing the accelerator while the key is ON didn't change the noise. There is a 1,2 second ticking sound when key is turned to ON but that sound was there as long as I can remember. This sound continues without change when the accelerator is pressed.

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The ticking sound is normal. I have the same ticking noise and I've heard this on pretty much every 2008+ Lancer. According to what I've read, it's the ABS and EBD systems powering up and performing a self-check.

Strange, I haven't heard this buzzing sound though. I'll check my car and let you know tomorrow. Almost midnight here now.

[Jor-el]

  On 11/23/2016 at 12:18 PM, Davy said:

The ticking sound is normal. I have the same ticking noise and I've heard this on pretty much every 2008+ Lancer. According to what I've read, it's the ABS and EBD systems powering up and performing a self-check.

Strange, I haven't heard this buzzing sound though. I'll check my car and let you know tomorrow. Almost midnight here now.

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Thanks, will wait for your report it is not as noticeable as the sound of the video though. Can't hear from the driver's door position with the bonnet open... had to lean towards the engine bay 

[Davy]

  On 11/23/2016 at 12:22 PM, Jor-el said:

Thanks, will wait for your report it is not as noticeable as the sound of the video though. Can't hear from the driver's door position with the bonnet open... had to lean towards the engine bay 

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Guess what @Jor-el, the buzzing sound is there on mine as well (being different engines also). It comes from the throttle body for sure and I'm pretty sure it is from the electronic throttle (the part is probably same on all engines), because applying pressure on the electronic throttle causes the frequency of the sound to change. 

Some other findings are:

- Sound is emitted regardless of whether it's before a cold start or when the engine is at working temperature.

- It seems to stop as soon as the engine starts

- It lasts for a brief moment after the ignition is switched off

I'm going to assume it's normal for now. Have to do a bit more digging, failing which I will ask the mech at my next service, because I get it done at the agent.

 

EDIT: Adding a video to demonstrate mine

I switch the ignition ON at 0:06 and crank the engine at 0:11. During this period, you can hear the buzz (listen on full volume). The ticking sound can be heard very well at 0:06 for about a second.

Edited November 24, 2016 by Davy
Added video and description

[Jor-el]

  On 11/24/2016 at 8:26 AM, Davy said:

Guess what @Jor-el, the buzzing sound is there on mine as well (being different engines also). It comes from the throttle body for sure and I'm pretty sure it is from the electronic throttle (the part is probably same on all engines), because applying pressure on the electronic throttle causes the frequency of the sound to change. 

Some other findings are:

- Sound is emitted regardless of whether it's before a cold start or when the engine is at working temperature.

- It seems to stop as soon as the engine starts

- It lasts for a brief moment after the ignition is switched off

I'm going to assume it's normal for now. Have to do a bit more digging, failing which I will ask the mech at my next service, because I get it done at the agent.

I switch the ignition ON at 0:06 and crank the engine at 0:11. During this period, you can hear the buzz (listen on full volume). The ticking sound can be heard very well at 0:06 for about a second.

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There's the sound! yes, your findings corroborate mine, the sound is there whatever the temp is, the sound cannot be distinguished/stops when the engine is ON, couldn't check the last one tho. Glad to hear it's a common noise Lancers make (strange, my CS3 doesn't make this noise) so I assume there's nothing wrong with the car.

Please share the mech's opinion of this sound thanks for checking it out for me!

[Davy]

  On 11/24/2016 at 10:13 AM, Jor-el said:

There's the sound! yes, your findings corroborate mine, the sound is there whatever the temp is, the sound cannot be distinguished/stops when the engine is ON, couldn't check the last one tho. Glad to hear it's a common noise Lancers make (strange, my CS3 doesn't make this noise) so I assume there's nothing wrong with the car.

Please share the mech's opinion of this sound thanks for checking it out for me!

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Yeah I don't think you should worry about it. Let's see if other Lancer EX owners see this thread and respond. @E L N I N O is one person I can think of.

Also, the CS3 does make a sound when the ignition is switched on. It comes from the IACV. You need to stand very close to the throttle body area (with your ear buried in there really) and you will hear a faint clicking sound. 

[Davy]

  On 11/24/2016 at 10:13 AM, Jor-el said:

There's the sound! yes, your findings corroborate mine, the sound is there whatever the temp is, the sound cannot be distinguished/stops when the engine is ON, couldn't check the last one tho. Glad to hear it's a common noise Lancers make (strange, my CS3 doesn't make this noise) so I assume there's nothing wrong with the car.

Please share the mech's opinion of this sound thanks for checking it out for me!

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I took my car for the periodic service today and made it a point to ask one of the mechs about the ticking and the electric hum from the throttle body. The short answer was, they're both normal.

A bit more detail: Apparently the ticking sound that is heard immediately after the ignition is turned on for a couple of seconds is the car doing a "power on self test". Mainly the ABS, EBD etc. The sound from the throttle body is heard from the electronic throttle as I suspected and it's normal and disappears after the car has been started. Hope this helps.

A friend of mine who recently went to inspect a Lancer EX was concerned about the ticking noise and called me from where he was inspecting the car and asked me what the hell the noise is and if it's normal. He bought the car after I advised that it's all normal.  

[Jor-el]

  On 1/6/2017 at 1:20 PM, Davy said:

I took my car for the periodic service today and made it a point to ask one of the mechs about the ticking and the electric hum from the throttle body. The short answer was, they're both normal.

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Thanks Davy!

Edited January 6, 2017 by Jor-el