What’s that device under my seat?

[Super Californilistic]

When the engine is not running I can hear a clear sound of what appears to be a fan. Might be some rotating mechanism. The sound is a low buzzing and sometimes even some clicking noises can be heard.
The sounds come from under the van somewhere below the driver’s seat (left hand drive). I suspect the device making the noise is draining my start battery which is brand new but keeps flattening out.
Can anybody tell me what electric devices can be found in that area?

VW California T5 2008 Diesel Automatic

All help highly appreciated.

 

[Pollewop]

Don‘t you worry… The high pitched sound and clicking sounds come from the fuelpump that’s priming… It’s a little annoying, but its normal…

 

[Super Californilistic]

Don‘t you worry… The high pitched sound and clicking sounds come from the fuelpump that’s priming… It’s a little annoying, but its normal…

Hi Pollewop, Is it normal that the pump is working all the time non-stop? I haven't noticed this noise before.

 

[Pollewop]

The priming of the fuel pump is not done continuously, but rather often. Whenever you unlock the doors, open a door, or even connect the EHU the van will start priming the fuel pump for a while to prepare the engine for a start... After some time it will stop... until the next "manipulation"...
This is a least the behavior of my 2022 T6.1.

 

[flying banana]

has someone fitted a pc cooling fan for some reason ? maybe to cool the fridge area ? there shouldn't be a noise under there normally

 

[Wesel]

When the engine is not running I can hear a clear sound of what appears to be a fan. Might be some rotating mechanism. ....

Some pictures ?

 

[WelshGas]

When the engine is not running I can hear a clear sound of what appears to be a fan. Might be some rotating mechanism. The sound is a low buzzing and sometimes even some clicking noises can be heard.
The sounds come from under the van somewhere below the driver’s seat (left hand drive). I suspect the device making the noise is draining my start battery which is brand new but keeps flattening out.
Can anybody tell me what electric devices can be found in that area?

VW California T5 2008 Diesel Automatic

All help highly appreciated.

You need to investigate. The only things fitted by the factory are:-
Leisure Battery
Fuses for the Habitation area
Some relays for vehicle functions + Split charge relay to charge Leisure Batteries when engine running.
Recline drivers seat.
Unbolt seat from runners. 2 x bolts at front 2 x bolts at rear.
Lean seat forward to rest on steering wheel.
There are wires running into seat for airbag/heated seat. You can unplug if you want to lift seat out BUT do not switch on Ignition until reconnected.
Check all the relays by touch/stethoscope or long bladed screwdriver handle held to ear.
If a relay is identified as making a noise unplug the relay.
If noise stops then faulty and replace with new relay.
Reassemble seat.

 

[Super Californilistic]

has someone fitted a pc cooling fan for some reason ? maybe to cool the fridge area ? there shouldn't be a noise under there normally

Without being 100% sure, I don't think that anything outside the standard has been installed. The noise is perhaps not a fan. It is a buzzing one and might be a relay of some sort.

 

[Super Californilistic]

Some pictures ?

One of these days I will change to summer tires and when I lift the van I'll make sure to take some photos.

 

[Super Californilistic]

You need to investigate. The only things fitted by the factory are:-
Leisure Battery
Fuses for the Habitation area
Some relays for vehicle functions + Split charge relay to charge Leisure Batteries when engine running.
Recline drivers seat.
Unbolt seat from runners. 2 x bolts at front 2 x bolts at rear.
Lean seat forward to rest on steering wheel.
There are wires running into seat for airbag/heated seat. You can unplug if you want to lift seat out BUT do not switch on Ignition until reconnected.
Check all the relays by touch/stethoscope or long bladed screwdriver handle held to ear.
If a relay is identified as making a noise unplug the relay.
If noise stops then faulty and replace with new relay.
Reassemble seat.

Thanks for the instructions. I will investigate.
I have to say that the noise is much clearer when I am outside and under the van. I can hear the noise also from inside but it is very low one.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks for the instructions. I will investigate.
I have to say that the noise is much clearer when I am outside and under the van. I can hear the noise also from inside but it is very low one.

You have to start somewhere to eliminate the noise.

 

[Wesel]

Thanks for the instructions. I will investigate.
I have to say that the noise is much clearer when I am outside and under the van. I can hear the noise also from inside but it is very low one.

Do you ever hear this noise before you open the doors? (So 24/7)
Does it start when you turn the ignition key?
When does it stop? (if it stops)

 

[flying banana]

does the auxiliary heater work ?wonder if it's the dosing pump buzzing as thats around that area ?

 

[DessyParkerWigWam]

When the engine is not running I can hear a clear sound of what appears to be a fan. Might be some rotating mechanism. The sound is a low buzzing and sometimes even some clicking noises can be heard.
The sounds come from under the van somewhere below the driver’s seat (left hand drive). I suspect the device making the noise is draining my start battery which is brand new but keeps flattening out.
Can anybody tell me what electric devices can be found in that area?

VW California T5 2008 Diesel Automatic

All help highly appreciated.

My battery (new + new alternator) also keeps running flat when parked up for 5 days or so on my drive way (ie not in use) and i'm very careful to make sure fridge, chargers etc are all not turned on.

This happened before my new battery as well - ive had it in the local garage - but they can not find what is draining battery down - so i have now booked into VW van centre this Thursday - hopefully they can work it out ..... I'll feed back ..... But if anyone kknows what could be doing this it would be helpful

 

[Wesel]

My battery (new + new alternator) also keeps running flat when parked up for 5 days or so on my drive way (ie not in use) and i'm very careful to make sure fridge, chargers etc are all not turned on.

This happened before my new battery as well - ive had it in the local garage - but they can not find what is draining battery down - so i have now booked into VW van centre this Thursday - hopefully they can work it out ..... I'll feed back ..... But if anyone kknows what could be doing this it would be helpful

Start battery or/and leisure battery (ies) ?

 

[Paal Hoff]

I got the same van as yours, but never heard any noise from the fuelpump. But I do get a cliking sound from the wabesto heater (the one that's heat the van when parked). Its like I´m on a small cozy steamboat.

 

[Super Californilistic]

Do you ever hear this noise before you open the doors? (So 24/7)
Does it start when you turn the ignition key?
When does it stop? (if it stops)

This is very random. Yesterday the noise was on whenever I checked the van (4-5 times) during the day. Today I checked and the noise has stopped. I unlocked the car and locked again, nothing. I put the key in the ignition and some noise started, maybe the same one. Will check again later on.

 

[Super Californilistic]

My battery (new + new alternator) also keeps running flat when parked up for 5 days or so on my drive way (ie not in use) and i'm very careful to make sure fridge, chargers etc are all not turned on.

This happened before my new battery as well - ive had it in the local garage - but they can not find what is draining battery down - so i have now booked into VW van centre this Thursday - hopefully they can work it out ..... I'll feed back ..... But if anyone kknows what could be doing this it would be helpful

It would be great to hear what they find out at VW. Hopefully you get it solved.

 

[Super Californilistic]

does the auxiliary heater work ?wonder if it's the dosing pump buzzing as thats around that area ?

The heater was not switched on. However since I changed all 3 batteries the heat works. Before it didn't.

 

[flying banana]

Can't help further. But the fridge heater lights etc don't run off the engine battery. Or they shouldn't do. You should be able to flatten the leisure system completely and still start the van. That's the idea behind a leisure system in the first place. You need to source the drain on your engine battery, forget about the leisure side

 

[Simon Morris Carpenter]

When the engine is not running I can hear a clear sound of what appears to be a fan. Might be some rotating mechanism. The sound is a low buzzing and sometimes even some clicking noises can be heard.
The sounds come from under the van somewhere below the driver’s seat (left hand drive). I suspect the device making the noise is draining my start battery which is brand new but keeps flattening out.
Can anybody tell me what electric devices can be found in that area?

VW California T5 2008 Diesel Automatic

All help highly appreciated.

DPF; diesl particulate filter cleaning maybe? You can find articles on the Internet and the forum.