Heartbeat at ignition
 

Hello guys,
I just noticed I have a weird noise at start-up, which sounds like a heartbeat. Pretty loud at the beginning and then fades (maybe because I am driving?).
Anyone has an idea what it could be? Is it an air pump giving up?
Thanks for your help!

What BPM does the heartbeat pump at?

I don't even have to turn on the engine, I can hear the noise with the key on the ignition position.

I think I have heard what you are describing. I believe it has to do with the A/C system. I assumed it was the flaps that control airflow or some calibration that occurs. Mine does it about 3 cycles then stops.

My AC is always off, was yours off as well?
The noise lasts like 15 to 20 seconds before it starts fading...
Maybe I should get a video?

Actually now that you mention it....My A/C system always defaults to 'lo', because thats the temperature I usually leave it on, with no fan speed when I turn on the car. If I hit the fan speed down one more time to off I get the noise that I mentioned. If you can recreate that noise and its not the same as mine, then it would eliminate my idea. This occurs if the car is on or off I believe.

I just gave it a try: putting the fan on the slowest speed (just one step before it's off) and I don't have the noise anymore. So it's somehow related to ventilation / AC. Do you have any idea what the cause could be?
Thanks.

My guess would be servos doing something with the flaps when the fans are shut down. I think it is normal because mine has done that since I got the car over 3 years ago. I tried searching but couldn't find any information about that noise. The system our car uses does have an audi logo on it so maybe you could find out more information based on that. You can actually see some of the servos moving if you look up under the passenger side of the dash while you change A/C settings.

have a look here i have the same problem intermittently..

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/56844-strange-noise-dash-area.html

it's the foam getting caught in the flaps. it does it with the AC off as well because those flaps adjusts through which vents the air comes out of.

i still get it once in a while but it doesnt bother me.. anymore.. :D also, i know that if i open it up to clean it it's just a matter of time until more gets caught in the flaps. eventually the foam moves on and everything is well again :)

My ac does the same when off, I assumed this was a nanny wrong with my car.

http://youtu.be/IPjhb3D587Q

So I should just try to clean the foam inside the vents (if I see any), check the fan in the passenger vent and go with it?
I don't feel like removing the whole dash...

pretty much..
yeah removing the dash sucks. you've got the canyons close.. maybe try to dislodge the foam in the turns? :D
its little things like this that i've learned to live with when owning a 15 year old car.. she's strong where it matters!



nu-ti complica viata! :)

Thank you sir!

Multumesc domnule :)