This is the strangest thing I've ever encountered...

So I turn my car on, it makes this crazy *** buzzing noise, sounds like a gas leaf blower going off around the corner, I can feel the car vibrating from it. I shut hte car off and pop the hood and the car is still making the noise, I look around and I dont see anything moving. I remember specifically looking at the fan (which is wired to be always on when the car is on) and I remember seeing it and deciding that it wasnt the fan.

So finally something clicks, the noise stops, and when it clicks the light on the bottom of the hood flickers and everything is normal.

I start it again, same thing happens.

Without any other option, I turn the car on again, a third time, and everything is fine, it's kosher, I get all he way home (A 15 minute drive) and it works perfectly just like it always does.

Half deciding that i had made the whole thing up and was hearing a leaf blower around the corner.. I decided to turn the car off and crank it back up again.

This **** starts up again it doesnt stop for 10 minutes. You can smell wire insulation burning. I quickly grabbed a camera and took a video. Then popped the hood again and after the thing wouldnt stop I notice the burning insulation smell and quickly get to work unhooking the battery.

As I take it off, the car makes noises like it's trying to start itself as the negative cable gains and loses its connection. Not sure whether it was the starter engaging or whether it was just whatever was making that noise restarting it's high-pitch whine from a standstill...

Im at a loss. It's apparently a short from something judging by the fact that the key was in my pocket nd the smell. Butwhatever it's shorting too is making this noise, and I have no idea what on earth this noise could be coming from.

ANy ideas?

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...t=100_4711.flv

Remember, the car is OFF.

The video quality is bad, bt I just intended to get hte noise on tape, not show you anything because there's nothing to see. And the noise changed pitch up and down at it's mood.

Me and my buddy are gonna take a look at it Monday, but I need to know where to start.

 

i had a truck that whined and smoked like that for 2 mins before dying out... replaced the starter and all was well

 

Wow man, you make your first post to help me out?

Thanks!

 

Wow. That actually does sound like a leaf blower. Never heard a sound like that coming from a car before.
When it was making the noise were you able to find a spot where it was louder?
There really isn't too much under the hood that can make that noise. A couple of motors (wiper, starter, hvac) and some relays. At least you don't have to look too far.

 

Remove the fuel pump fuse and try it again.

 

exactly start removing fuses... fuel pump first would be a good start. if it is not that I would be looking at the starter. I have heard similar sounds on semi truck engines when the starter apendix or selonid is crapping out.

 

Sounds just like my holley red fuel pump.

 

No one else has any ideas?

 

wow, real whacky....

was that a "OMG?!" at the end of that clip as you noticed the smell of burning wire?



Unhook the wire from the starter and see what happens. Could be the solenoid bit the dust or somethin...

 

Your starter or the solenoid is probably dying. Replace the starter and your problem should be fixed.

 

Haha, no, not an OMG, that's actually my Georgia accent saying "The car's off".

I was well beyond thinking "OMG" in my head by that point, I was just trying to get a sound clip before I unhooked the battery. I was waiting for something to explode and my car to catch on fire.

 

to me it sounds like the starter motor is running without the bendix engaged.

about the only ways i can think of that happening is a short between the battery cable & starter lug at the starter, or a broken bendix or broken lever that has the solenoid jammed. the starter freewheel running for very long will cause a burning smell.

 

Forgive my ignorance, Im no expert on starters, but wouldnt all of those be fixed by replacing the starter? I'm gonna get on it later today and see what the deal is, finally got a day off.

And those were my thoughts exactly on the cause of the burning smell.

 

yes, a new starter properly installed should fix all of those problems.

 

For the benefit of anyone who has this happen to them and happens upon this thread searching for the answer, it was the starter. I replaced it and it's been good so far.