Quick whining noise when shutting down car? (Sometimes when unlocking doors)
 

I've noticed a new sound over the past month, a quick whine that sounds from somewhere around the passengers's side when I shut down the car - sounds for about half a second. I also just noticed it when I hit the unlock button twice on my keyfob (car was off) and it did it then.

I know fuel pumps can whine when they engage and disengage, but it's odd to me that I've never noticed the sound before - because it is very obvious and perceptible, definitely not faint. I'd have noticed something like that from the first day of owning the car. I also know this isn't the ECU whine, because it mostly happens when the car turns off and it sounds like it's coming from the passengers side somewhere.

Where is the fuel pump located on our cars?

Not sure if same sound - but when fan running and shut off car can hear it spin down. If you shut climate control off- does not happen. No idea about the fob

It's not the fan. The fan takes more than a split-second to turn off - it whirs down. This is a mechanical/electric sounding whine. Lasts all of half a second.

Did some searching, fuel pump is behind passenger seat it turns out? That's exactly where the sound is coming from. Now my concern is why I can hear it now and not before?

Is it like a terminator or robotic sound? If it is, I had this since day one and it doesn't seem to be a problem. Got no idea what it is though.

Lmao, that's EXACTLY how I wanted to describe it, but thought no one would get the reference or understand what I mean. That is hilarious someone else thinks like that.

Ya its the fuel pump. Confirmed by Nissan Master tech.

Could be your steering wheel locking, do you hear it when you start the car as well?

:iagree:

Definitely the steering lock. Just listen to that added security.

I don't hear it when starting the car, I don't think. It's definitely coming from behind me somewhere.

Check for a gremlin or troll lurking in your hatch that might be it.

I know exactly the sound you're talking about, sounds like a jet engine shutting down. I actually like it. Sounds all futuristic and stuff...

Like the cars in Men In Black. :tup:

My Z06 does the same thing FWIW. I wouldn't worry about it whether it's the FP or not. Many cars do it. All the gadgets in them now-days it seems tend to make some noise.

Upon shutdown the Z electronically drives a pin into a notch inside the steering column to completely disable the steering wheel from turning. Press start and the pin retracts. That's the sound you hear.

From the owner's manual...

STEERING LOCK (if so equipped)
In order for the steering wheel to be locked, it
must be turned about 1/8 of a right or left turn
from the straight up position.
To lock the steering wheel, push the
ignition switch to the OFF position. To
unlock the steering wheel, push the ignition
switch. If the steering lock release
malfunction indicator appears on the vehicle
information display, push the pushbutton
ignition switch again while lightly
turning the steering wheel right and left.
(See “VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY”
in the “2. Instruments and controls” section.)

I know what the steering column lock and unlock sounds like. This sounds nothing like it. It is definitely the fuel pump.