Strange Noise from rear of car while OFF - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

mike2100 · 09-12-2012, 08:26 PM

Here's one I've never experienced...

My car is in the garage. I go to throw some recycling in the garage before going to bed and I hear this weird humming noise. It sounds like a small air compressor running. I walk toward the garage door and it starts to sound like it's coming from outside, like someone is using a tire inflator.
Then I realize it's coming from my car. So I run and grab my wife's iPhone and try to take some video.
Unfortunately the video is disjointed, so there are actually 3 videos. The first interruption came from me accidentally pressing a button (iPhone noob). The second interruption came from an app alert.

Obviously, the car is not running.
You may not be able to notice it, but the noise gets quieter after I start recording. As if the (notional) electric motor has suddenly been unloaded. Then, when I put the key in the ignition and turn it to on the noise stops.
The only thing I could think of is that it's the fuel pump running. But when I turn the ignition on I can hear a completely different sounding motor turn on, which I'm pretty sure is the fuel pump.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK9J-BrnSA0"]Strange Noise from FR-S 1 - YouTube[/ame]

The squeaking in the background is my wife opening the back door.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G88rPOW7eI"]Strange Noise from FR-S 2 - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDnk0yZR1l0"]Strange Noise from FR-S 3 - YouTube[/ame]

Someone tell me I'm not crazy...

Ninjin · 09-12-2012, 08:41 PM

Someone who actually owns the car can probably chime in with more solid information, but...

I recall reading somewhere (on this forum, can't find it at the moment) that the car will occasionally perform a leak test on the fuel system after the car has been off for several hours. This apparently makes an audible noise and is probably what you're hearing.

Again, I don't have any firsthand experience, so maybe someone can confirm that or offer another explanation.

Edit: Found the thread, http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16534

mike2100 · 09-12-2012, 08:45 PM

My apologies for freaking out. You are correct:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16534

I guess I should spend more time

Grubby · 09-15-2012, 11:46 AM

Thanks for the post, I just caught mine doing the same thing this morning for the first time, and thought, "oh boy, now what?" This post makes me feel better, thanks!

fasteddy · 09-18-2012, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grubby

Thanks for the post, I just caught mine doing the same thing this morning for the first time, and thought, "oh boy, now what?" This post makes me feel better, thanks!

Same here

Pat

Bristecom · 09-18-2012, 09:11 PM

At least we know what it sounds like now.

stanm · 09-20-2012, 08:34 AM

Thanks for this post. Thought someone strapped a time bomb underneath while the car is in the driveway

EvoFanatic · 09-20-2012, 10:16 AM

It is definitely Slender Man!!! RUN AWAY!

rikdrt1 · 09-20-2012, 10:20 AM

ive had that happen too. funny thing is, i also have a CAMRY .. .and i caught it doing the SAME thing months ago and couldnt figure it out.. .now ocassionally both 'Toyotas' do it - so its kinda creepy to say the least.

Nick Graves · 09-20-2012, 03:55 PM

Beehive/cow mooing sounds are familiar to S2000/NSX owners - especially on hot days with less than half a tank. I presumed the charcoal filter likewise here.

OTOH, your wife probably shouldn't be making squeaking noises...

brianbot5000 · 09-20-2012, 04:16 PM

I like the idea of my BRZ checking on itself in the middle of the night. Now if only it would self-diagnose the cricket sound and implement a fix.

Pete156 · 10-11-2012, 10:37 AM

Does the vehicle do this only once, or will it do this every day and kill the battery if I park it for a month?

mike2100 · 10-12-2012, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete156

Does the vehicle do this only once, or will it do this every day and kill the battery if I park it for a month?

I don't know for sure but here's my educated guess:
If the engineers were smart enough to have the car conduct a self leak test on the fuel system, they were smart enough to make sure it doesn't do it so much that it kills the battery.

Though engineers have been known to make mistakes! If the programming starts killing batteries I'm sure they'll release a software fix.

Neurytic · 01-19-2013, 02:31 AM

I just had this happen as I was getting something from the trunk. Glad its not an issue and just a leak test. Thanks!

09-20-2012, 04:16 PM	#11
brianbot5000 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: White WRX Hatchback, Toyota Pickup Location: Seattle Posts: 189 Thanks: 14 Thanked 58 Times in 23 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I like the idea of my BRZ checking on itself in the middle of the night. Now if only it would self-diagnose the cricket sound and implement a fix. __________________ 2013 Subaru BRZ, SSM Limited vin: 6007xx build: 3/2012

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09-12-2012, 08:41 PM	#2
Ninjin Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: SWP BRZ 6MT Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 876 Thanks: 415 Thanked 576 Times in 332 Posts Mentioned: 144 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Someone who actually owns the car can probably chime in with more solid information, but... I recall reading somewhere (on this forum, can't find it at the moment) that the car will occasionally perform a leak test on the fuel system after the car has been off for several hours. This apparently makes an audible noise and is probably what you're hearing. Again, I don't have any firsthand experience, so maybe someone can confirm that or offer another explanation. Edit: Found the thread, http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16534

09-15-2012, 11:46 AM	#4
Grubby Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: Scion FR-S Location: Omaha Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thanks for the post, I just caught mine doing the same thing this morning for the first time, and thought, "oh boy, now what?" This post makes me feel better, thanks!

09-20-2012, 08:34 AM	#7
stanm Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 2013 Asphalt FR-S 6MT Location: Vancouver, BC / Point Roberts, WA Posts: 221 Thanks: 121 Thanked 65 Times in 24 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thanks for this post. Thought someone strapped a time bomb underneath while the car is in the driveway

09-20-2012, 10:16 AM	#8
EvoFanatic Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: Evo X Location: West Texas, Wreck Em' Tech! Posts: 81 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 11 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	It is definitely Slender Man!!! RUN AWAY!

09-20-2012, 03:55 PM	#10
Nick Graves Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: GT Blue Hachi Roku, Pile of Hondas Location: Hertford UK Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Beehive/cow mooing sounds are familiar to S2000/NSX owners - especially on hot days with less than half a tank. I presumed the charcoal filter likewise here. OTOH, your wife probably shouldn't be making squeaking noises...

01-19-2013, 02:31 AM	#14
Neurytic Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: 2013 Asphalt FR-S Location: IE CA Posts: 87 Thanks: 14 Thanked 32 Times in 17 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	I just had this happen as I was getting something from the trunk. Glad its not an issue and just a leak test. Thanks!

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