high pitched whining when washing the car

[mattyb95]

Hi guys. I've started noticing a high pitched whining noise coming from the engine intermittently when washing the car. Well I say then but I guess that's the only time I hang around long enough after having driven it. I need to look into it more to see if it does it from cold or only after having driven it but just wondering if anybody else has experienced this?

 

[YorkIbiza]

It may be the cooling fan kicking in to cool down the engine? I know mine makes a high pitch whining noise when that happens.

 

[jaymd]

I guess it could be the Mrs moaning that your washing the car again!

 

[Leigh15]

^^^

Could be the fuel pump priming - does it happen when you open the driver's door?

 

[Daniel1431]

Mine makes a sound when i open the drivers door after just unlocking the car.
I think it could be that

 

[Leigh15]

^^^

Could be the fuel pump priming - does it happen when you open the driver's door?

Mine makes a sound when i open the drivers door after just unlocking the car.
I think it could be that

 

[Nath.]

I think the original poster's noise in question is the fly by wire throttle pedal system

***in layman's terms***

The throttle pedal is just a potentiometer and then at the other end of the system the butterfly valve inside the throttle body is moved by a stepper motor

This stepper motor makes a high pitched noise when it is not on the move

Or it could be your HID ballasts if you have any

 

[kriso]

Could be secondary water pump

 

[Nath.]

^^^^^^^yep, could be if the engine has had a bit of a run

 

[mattyb95]

So nothing to worry about? I know its not the door as it keeps going repetitively and is definitely coming from the engine area. Its possibly only if I'm using a lot of water as well. For example, had what looked like paint on the bonnet and front wing so just washed those to make sure it came off and can't say I heard it despite having literally just driven the 16 miles home from work.