Stupid Question from a Newbie

[WJC]

Hello,

 

I have noticed when I turn the key up but don't turn the engine over to start the truck, I can hear what sounds like a small electric motor turn on and then the gauges all come to life. When I shut the truck off after driving, I hear a noise that almost sounds like a small vaccum being released (best way I can describe the sound). It sounds like it is coming from the gauges area. The truck runs and drives great, I was just wondering what this sound is and whether or not it is normal. Sorry in advance for the stupid question. I am an idiot searching for a village.

 

 

Wayne

[burgundyz71]

Fuel pump getting primed maybe

[tmf6902]

Is it the fuel pump??? I have never heard it from my gauges but I can hear it from the rear end....makes sense....You learn something new everyday.

[Jailkeeper]

I had an '89 Georgia Mountain Climber (GMC) that did what you describe. It made a noise from behind the glove box when the key was turned off. I think it was in the HVAC system, like an actuator for a vent door.

I'd bet the noise you hear when turning the key "on" is your electric fuel pump.

My '96's fuel pump is so noisy, I can hear it when I drive through town with the windows down. Man, I hate that!!

[Kevin zellweger]

There's no such thing as a stupid post unless it is about buying a ford over a chevy. I also hear the noise that you have been hearing, I do belive it is the injectors, i think they are priming the engine. the hissing noise i have heard if the a/c is on after shutting the engine off, i think it happens when ever the pump is turned off, it may just be venting pressure.

[Rotorwrench]

What year truck do you have? If I'm not mistaken there are some gauges that have electric motors in them and go through a self test when the key is turned on. You should hear your fuel pump run for just a second or two, but that sound will come from the back of the truck. I think Jail Keeper is right about the vacuum noise being ac related. Try turning all the ac off (including the recirculate) before you shut down and see if it makes the sound.

[bigtruck21]

there are small fans all around inside the cab too, for the radio electronics, right above your head....

[WJC]

Thanks for the information everyone. I feel confident that it is a normal sound and I won't worry about it. This truck is just so quiet inside. I never realized the amount of road noise the VW had. You guys want to hear something that is just plain wrong? I was driving my dad's 1999 Sierra, he has the 4.8 as well. I look down at the odometer, and it reads 21600. The truck looks like new because it is practically new. I knew it had low miles but geez...

 

 

Thanks again for the information.

 

Wayne

[MoJo]

Some trucks, like mine, are factory wired to run the heater/AC fan all the time. Supposedly a ventalation issue. So, anytime I have th key "on" the heater motor is running. The '98 Monte Carlo was the same way.

Most of the HVAC controls are vacumm operated and will 'bleed off' when they loose engine vacumm. You'll also hear the door flaps in the HVAC move as the vacumm bleeds off.

The 1/2 sec whirr from the fuel pump should be just behind you as you exit the truck, right down there at the fuel tank.

[Lester]

The fan noise from the stereo on the Theftlock Delco runs untill the amp is cool, this is only on the Theftlock model cassette or cd stereo and is probably what you are hearing, if curious, pull your fuse for your radio and drive around a bit and see if that is what it was.

[rado]

I wish recording the noise was alot more convienant, because from what I hear when I start my 00' Sierra, is only the fuel pump kinda like a ... never mind, I wont try to mock the noise.. But that's most likely all it is

 

 

P.s. No question is a dumb question