High-pitched whine

[RobertCalifornia]

Every time I open a door to my 6.1 California there is a quiet but persistent high-pitched whine which I can hear when in the vehicle. It seems to go after a bit, but is quite annoying and sounds like it might be some kind of warning. Anyone know what this is?

 

[testpilottimmy]

Sounds like my kids are on your van. (Sorry nothing constructive to add)

 

[Kemper-van]

Might be the priming of the fuel pump. I have this on mine too.

I have been wondering if there is any sound insulation that could be applied around the fuel pump?

I find this priming noise also quite annoying, to be honest. It’s really audible around the car.

I used to drive a 2017 Touran with a similar engine (2.0TDI 150bhp), and in that car i never heard the priming of the fuel pump.

 

[RobertCalifornia]

Sounds like my kids are on your van. (Sorry nothing constructive to add)

Your kids have a high-pitched whine that is quiet? Want to swap?

Might be the priming of the fuel pump. I have this on mine too.

I have been wondering if there is any sound insulation that could be applied around the fuel pump?

I find this priming noise also quite annoying, to be honest. It’s really audible around the car.

I used to drive a 2017 Touran with a similar engine (2.0TDI 150bhp), and in that car i never heard the priming of the fuel pump.

Thanks. Glad to hear I am not the only one - and that it is not a problem!

 

[rickshih]

When I open and close the car door, there will be a sound similar to electric current, about 1~1.5 seconds, is it the same as your situation?

(我是開關車門的時候，會有一陣類似電流的聲音，約 1~1.5秒左右，是否跟你的情況一樣呢?)

 

[Kemper-van]

In my T5 a wirring sound is heard when stepping in and put the keys in contact.
Imo it is the bord computer switching on .
Others have also noticed a sound from under the dash in T5 and T6 , probally T6.1 will be thesame

Sound is heard outside of van, from engine bay. you can hear it when:
- unlocking with key fob
- when opening any door or boot when already unlocked
- when a door is left open for long period, it can be heard with fixed intervals
- when locking with keyfob after van was opened but engine was not started

So no, it’s not the computer.

 

[AlisonF]

In my T5 a wirring sound is heard when stepping in and put the keys in contact.
Imo it is the bord computer switching on .
Others have also noticed a sound from under the dash in T5 and T6 , probally T6.1 will be thesame

It’s definitely different on my T6.1 Beach than on the T6 Ocean. Very much as @Kemper-van describes.

 

[Kemper-van]

It’s definitely different on my T6.1 Beach than on the T6 Ocean. Very much as @Kemper-van describes.

So, unfortunately, it sounds like something we’ll have to live with...

 

[Alain]

Here's a recording of the sound on my T6.1 Beach:

It's pretty annoying to hear this sound whenever opening doors or unlocking the vehicle.

I'm having an appointment with the dealer to see if there's something to be done about it. Apparently the van assumes that whenever you open a door, you'll start the engine. So it starts priming the fuel pump.

This 'feature' is of course pretty stupid on a camper van.. I don't need to hear this sound in the middle of the night just because I open the door.

 

[WelshGas]

Here's a recording of the sound on my T6.1 Beach:

It's pretty annoying to hear this sound whenever opening doors or unlocking the vehicle.

I'm having an appointment with the dealer to see if there's something to be done about it. Apparently the van assumes that whenever you open a door, you'll start the engine. So it starts priming the fuel pump.

This 'feature' is of course pretty stupid on a camper van.. I don't need to hear this sound in the middle of the night just because I open the door.

Pump priming should only occur after unlocking if the Drivers door is opened .

 

[andyinluton]

Mine doesn’t make any noise like that. Are you 100% sure it’s coming from under the bonnet?
I had a car with a sticky actuator on the central locking, the motor straining sounded similar to that.

 

[Alain]

Mine doesn’t make any noise like that. Are you 100% sure it’s coming from under the bonnet?
I had a car with a sticky actuator on the central locking, the motor straining sounded similar to that.

it’s hard to exactly pinpoint where the sound is coming from. But I hear it when unlocking the car. When the car is unlocked for some time, I also hear it when opening the doors or the boot. Lasts about 5-10”. I sometimes also hear it when I turn off the engine after a drive.

 

[Kemper-van]

it’s hard to exactly pinpoint where the sound is coming from. But I hear it when unlocking the car. When the car is unlocked for some time, I also hear it when opening the doors or the boot. Lasts about 5-10”. I sometimes also hear it when I turn off the engine after a drive.

Can you let us know what your dealer makes of this? I’m really interested in the response.

i tried contacting our local dealer, but no reaction whatsoever.

I see you’re also from Belgium. If you have a recommendation on a local dealer with experience around Cali’s, please let me know! I’m based east of Antwerp.

 

[Kemper-van]

@Alain
Did you get any feedback from your dealer on this “whine” from the fuel pump?

thx!!
Kemper-van

 

[Morsels]

We have the same on ours, sometimes just seems to happen randomly when we are sat outside the van at night.

 

[Kemper-van]

Anyone here who had an update or answer on this high-pitched whine from a VW dealer? Anything that can be done?
(It’s starting to get on my nerves…)
My dealer did not come back to me when I reached out, will ask question again when van goes for its first maintenance…

Thanks in advance!

 

[Arnoob]

Same annoying sound over here. As I am hating this sound I would be very pleased to get rid of it ...

 

[LPGoodwood]

That’s not normal.

Here's a recording of the sound on my T6.1 Beach:

It's pretty annoying to hear this sound whenever opening doors or unlocking the vehicle.

I'm having an appointment with the dealer to see if there's something to be done about it. Apparently the van assumes that whenever you open a door, you'll start the engine. So it starts priming the fuel pump.

This 'feature' is of course pretty stupid on a camper van.. I don't need to hear this sound in the middle of the night just because I open the

 

[Kemper-van]

That’s not normal.

Would you mind to elaborate on why this is not normal?
There are already a number of owners with this whine (all 6.1), so if you have anything you can share on the ‘why’ we would all be grateful!

 

[Simon197]

Just wondered if you ever got to the bottom of what causes this noise? I have the same high pitched noise coming from the engine bay when I unlock my 6.1 Ocean. Thanks

 

[RobertCalifornia]

Don’t think so, @Simon197. Quite a lot of us with 6.1s seem to have it, and it doesn’t seem to be doing any harm.

Just wondered if you ever got to the bottom of what causes this noise? I have the same high pitched noise coming from the engine bay when I unlock my 6.1 Ocean. Thanks

 

[Simon197]

Don’t think so, @Simon197. Quite a lot of us with 6.1s seem to have it, and it doesn’t seem to be doing any

Don’t think so, @Simon197. Quite a lot of us with 6.1s seem to have it, and it doesn’t seem to be doing any harm.

Thanks for confirming!

 

[Kemper-van]

I asked the dealer when the California was in for its service. They informed me that it’s normal (although never had a car that does it, and I have had several other audi & vw cars with the same engine…). According to them, it’s a waterpump you hear, so not the fuel pump priming.

 

[Simon197]

I asked the dealer when the California was in for its service. They informed me that it’s normal (although never had a car that does it, and I have had several other audi & vw cars with the same engine…). According to them, it’s a waterpump you hear, so not the fuel pump priming.

Thank you @Kemper-van good to know it’s nothing to worry about!

 

[CC44853]

Could this be the ballast for the Xenon Headlight charging up? Assuming those affected have LED Headlights?