Strange sound from power steering?

[Red]

This is a strange problem I have and I hope someone has a definite answer or some ideas.

When I turn my key to the accessory position (power on) but dont start the truck, there is a strange sound coming from right infront of the driver in the engine compartment.
It sounds like something spins really fast but stops right away, it doesnt continuously make sound, only when I first turn the power on.

There are no other problems with anything, and as far as I can tell its nothing serious, I dont think the sound is normal, is it?

Maybe I will post some pictures this weekend to show some more details of the area the sound is coming from, excuse my lack of knowledge but the round sort of disc part with the part coming out of it that has the reservoir on top is power steering components right? I suspect that the component that has the reservoir on top has been replaced.

 

[mitaylor137]

My 94 did the same thing, but my power steering fluid would disapear without a sign of it leaking. Then I lost power steering. I thought it was the pump or gear box. Turns out it was a 65 dollar vacum sensor that was bad. Ever since then i havnt had a problem.

 

[tlcruiser66]

Until you can get a picture loaded up I can't tell you what it is that your hearing from your engine bay. One thing that I can guarantee you is that it won't be a hydraulic part that your hearing that from as it would require pressure that wouldn't be present unless the engine is running.

 

[awdjunkies]

(Keep in mind, this post may be useless) Could it be more like a buzzing sound? like when the ABS system cycles itself right when you are about to turn over the engine? I know we are talking about your 2nd gen right, well I am not sure if your vehicle is a LTD. which of course came with the 4wheel ABS.


Of course if that was the case you could have heard this sound all along.. Just thinking outloud ..

 

[fourwd1]

Until you can get a picture loaded up I can't tell you what it is that your hearing from your engine bay. ...

Now that makes no sense at all.

How can a picture tell you what he's hearing ?


Even tho' it sounds like it's coming from the engine bay, it could be the fuel pump priming. It pressurizes the fuel rail as soon as it gets power. When they start to go bad they sometimes get louder.

 

[Red]

last weekend I investigated the sound a bit more and I think it is the ABS system like someone already mentioned. It actually comes from where the brake fluid reservoir is and its a grinding/spinning kinda sound thats lasts half a second every time you're about to turn the motor over. Im assuming this is a normal sound although it does sound kinda strange to me.

thanks for the input guys

 

[the_dingman]

My '02 Jetta does that when I unlock it then open the driver's side door. It sounds like a small motor spinning for about a second and a half... I always assumed that at least with that car that it was the fuel pump pressurizing...

 

[awdjunkies]

My '02 Jetta does that when I unlock it then open the driver's side door. It sounds like a small motor spinning for about a second and a half... I always assumed that at least with that car that it was the fuel pump pressurizing...

My MY02 1.8T Jetta did the same thing as well, its the Central Locking system the German vehicles are Equipped with. Because my BMW did the same thing. which reminds me, there was another thread on here regarding holding the key inthe door long enough it will close/open the windows and/or the moon roof.



Ps: Sorry for the thread Hijack there..

 

[tlcruiser66]

Maybe I will post some pictures this weekend to show some more details of the area the sound is coming from, excuse my lack of knowledge but the round sort of disc part with the part coming out of it that has the reservoir on top is power steering components right? I suspect that the component that has the reservoir on top has been replaced.

Now that makes no sense at all.

How can a picture tell you what he's hearing ?

He said he could post some pictures of the area that the sound was coming from. With a narrowed down area to search in I was hoping that I could get a better idea of what he was hearing, because it obviously wasn't the power steering.