engine whirring?

wafflesarefun · 08-31-2010, 12:22 AM

I just bought my car (09 6MT Sport) about a month ago, and I didn't notice this until I got it home. But when I'm crusing in first through third (e.g. driving through a parking lot or the neighborhood 1.5k~3k rpm) there is a distinct whirring noise.

At first I thought it was only on the inside, but when I opened the window, it was louder! It's not like it's unbearably loud, but it's not a noise I expected from a sports car.

I was wondering if anyone else has this noise, and if so, is there a way to get rid of this noise.

cruzmisl · 08-31-2010, 12:26 AM

Where's the whirring coming from? Our transmissions are noisy.

SoCal 370Z · 08-31-2010, 12:38 AM

I believe the whirring is the ABS unit, under the hood, testing itself. The is TSB NTB10-077:

ABS SELF CHECK NOISE

APPLIED VEHICLES: All Nissan Vehicles with ABS or ABS/VDC

SERVICE INFORMATION

If you identify:

• Clicking, knocking, clunking, buzzing, or thumping noise coming from the engine compartment area; and

• The noise occurs only once during the first few seconds of driving at approximately 16 MPH; and

• The noise occurs only once per ignition cycle (ignition OFF > ON) and does not occur again until the ignition is cycled.

NOTE: The noise may be louder after the vehicle has not been operated for a prolonged period of time.

The above condition is normal and does not need repair.

Each time the ignition is turned on and the vehicle is driven at about 16 mph, the ABS/VDC system performs a “Self-Check” to confirm components of the ABS/VDC system are operating correctly.

This “Self-Check” function creates the noise described above.
If the brakes are being applied when the “Self-Check” occurs, a vibration may be felt in the brake pedal and an increased level of noise may be noticed.

NOTE:

• Refer customers to the Owners Manual, Section 5, Starting and driving, Brake system on the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). The “Self-test feature” section provides additional explanation.

• The speeds described above refer specifically to Versa, Sentra, Altima, and Maxima. However, any vehicle fitted with ABS or ABS/VDC will have a “Self-Check” which is triggered in similar circumstances.

wafflesarefun · 08-31-2010, 01:09 AM

it happens whenever I'm holding a steady speed at a low gear (usually going slow). it's not a one time only type deal, when I press the gas it sounds like the whirr is tightening up, when i left off the gas the whirr gets looser? if that makes sense...

it's fine at the upper gears.

thanks for the quick replies xD, even if my car makes weird noises, i love it. haha

trent1331 · 08-31-2010, 01:42 AM

Its a normal sound if that helps any.. Mine does the same thing

wafflesarefun · 08-31-2010, 02:04 AM

ah okay, that's good news, although it's a tad annoying haha.

trent1331 · 08-31-2010, 02:13 AM

I always assumed that it was just the engine winding up.. I dunno.

spearfish25 · 08-31-2010, 09:31 AM

Feast your eyes on this: New Engine Noise post-Oil Cooler Install

In retrospect, I think I was being more vigilant after the oil cooler install and just started noticing the whirring that was already there.

ProfessorDave · 08-31-2010, 01:43 PM

There have been a few discussions about ECU whine, such as in this thread:
Had FIXED HIGH PITCH NOISE (ECU) I hear it to. I'm pretty sure my aftermarket exhaust will drown it out once installed.

spearfish25 · 08-31-2010, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfessorDave

There have been a few discussions about ECU whine, such as in this thread:
Had FIXED HIGH PITCH NOISE (ECU) I hear it to. I'm pretty sure my aftermarket exhaust will drown it out once installed.

Doesn't seem like he's describing the ECU sound.

ProfessorDave · 08-31-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Doesn't seem like he's describing the ECU sound.

I went back and read the OP more closely and saw that it changes sound and then goes away as higher gears are reached. My bad

08-31-2010, 12:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
wafflesarefun Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Francisco Posts: 61 Drives: 09 370z PW 6MT Rep Power: 15	engine whirring? I just bought my car (09 6MT Sport) about a month ago, and I didn't notice this until I got it home. But when I'm crusing in first through third (e.g. driving through a parking lot or the neighborhood 1.5k~3k rpm) there is a distinct whirring noise. At first I thought it was only on the inside, but when I opened the window, it was louder! It's not like it's unbearably loud, but it's not a noise I expected from a sports car. I was wondering if anyone else has this noise, and if so, is there a way to get rid of this noise.

08-31-2010, 12:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 33	I believe the whirring is the ABS unit, under the hood, testing itself. The is TSB NTB10-077: ABS SELF CHECK NOISE APPLIED VEHICLES: All Nissan Vehicles with ABS or ABS/VDC SERVICE INFORMATION If you identify: • Clicking, knocking, clunking, buzzing, or thumping noise coming from the engine compartment area; and • The noise occurs only once during the first few seconds of driving at approximately 16 MPH; and • The noise occurs only once per ignition cycle (ignition OFF > ON) and does not occur again until the ignition is cycled. NOTE: The noise may be louder after the vehicle has not been operated for a prolonged period of time. The above condition is normal and does not need repair. Each time the ignition is turned on and the vehicle is driven at about 16 mph, the ABS/VDC system performs a “Self-Check” to confirm components of the ABS/VDC system are operating correctly. This “Self-Check” function creates the noise described above. If the brakes are being applied when the “Self-Check” occurs, a vibration may be felt in the brake pedal and an increased level of noise may be noticed. NOTE: • Refer customers to the Owners Manual, Section 5, Starting and driving, Brake system on the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). The “Self-test feature” section provides additional explanation. • The speeds described above refer specifically to Versa, Sentra, Altima, and Maxima. However, any vehicle fitted with ABS or ABS/VDC will have a “Self-Check” which is triggered in similar circumstances. __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!!

08-31-2010, 09:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Feast your eyes on this: New Engine Noise post-Oil Cooler Install In retrospect, I think I was being more vigilant after the oil cooler install and just started noticing the whirring that was already there. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

08-31-2010, 01:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 19	There have been a few discussions about ECU whine, such as in this thread: Had FIXED HIGH PITCH NOISE (ECU) I hear it to. I'm pretty sure my aftermarket exhaust will drown it out once installed. __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

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08-31-2010, 12:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
cruzmisl Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 122 Drives: 08 G37S 6MT Rep Power: 15	Where's the whirring coming from? Our transmissions are noisy.

08-31-2010, 01:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
wafflesarefun Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Francisco Posts: 61 Drives: 09 370z PW 6MT Rep Power: 15	it happens whenever I'm holding a steady speed at a low gear (usually going slow). it's not a one time only type deal, when I press the gas it sounds like the whirr is tightening up, when i left off the gas the whirr gets looser? if that makes sense... it's fine at the upper gears. thanks for the quick replies xD, even if my car makes weird noises, i love it. haha

08-31-2010, 01:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
trent1331 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 164 Drives: 09 370z MB M6 Rep Power: 16	Its a normal sound if that helps any.. Mine does the same thing

08-31-2010, 02:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
wafflesarefun Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Francisco Posts: 61 Drives: 09 370z PW 6MT Rep Power: 15	ah okay, that's good news, although it's a tad annoying haha.

08-31-2010, 02:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
trent1331 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 164 Drives: 09 370z MB M6 Rep Power: 16	I always assumed that it was just the engine winding up.. I dunno.