Odd Sound on Startup

[Grego 92]

I've noticed within the last week that when I start my car in the morning I hear a weird noise. I'll try to describe it.

I turn the key and the car starts without a problem. A second after it starts I hear this low-pitched "waaaaaaahhhhh....waaaaahhhhhhh" for about 2-3 seconds then it goes away and never to be heard again until the next morning's first start-up.

It's kind of like a really low or barely audible horn noise or maybe something turning without any grease....or maybe like a pump has just been turned on and it's first movements are kind of shaky. It's not a high pitched squeak....very low sounding.

I've noticed it's been getting colder nowadays (southern california standards) in the mornings. I haven't been able to have someone start the car while I'm standing in front with the hood open, but I want to say it has something to do with the power steering maybe?

Any ideas or help?

[71Corolla]

I know exactly the noise you are talking about. My '87 has done this for years, I honestly have no idea exactly what makes the noise. One of the bearings, either water pump, timing belt area, alternator, or PS pump like you are thinking. I am not sure. When it is really cold (like -30) the noise will last for a few seconds, so it is definitely temperature related. My car is past due for a timing belt so I'm going to do it this weekend, I wonder if that will cure the problem, we'll see.

I would not worry about the noise honestly. edit - now that I think about it, it probably is the power steering pump, because I've done a timing belt job before and I remember noise still being there shorty after.

[Grego 92]

Ok thanks...I wonder if there is maybe a small air bubble? I did flush the fluid out about 3-4 months ago. Maybe I'll jack it up on stands again and turn the wheel left to right for a while.

[Doctor J]

I would suggest to remove the belts maybe @ night before (easy said then done) and start it up next morning, if noise persists this will rule out the p/s pump, altenator and a/c pulley bearing.
My alternator belt makes random noises at low rpms when water got splashed on the pulleys.
I could speculate that this noise may be produced by alternator brushes

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by Grego 92

I've noticed within the last week that when I start my car in the morning I hear a weird noise. I'll try to describe it.

I turn the key and the car starts without a problem. A second after it starts I hear this low-pitched "waaaaaaahhhhh....waaaaahhhhhhh" for about 2-3 seconds then it goes away and never to be heard again until the next morning's first start-up.

It's kind of like a really low or barely audible horn noise or maybe something turning without any grease....or maybe like a pump has just been turned on and it's first movements are kind of shaky. It's not a high pitched squeak....very low sounding.

Yea, My 1989 Camry would make the same noise that Your describing. Only on first startup of the day and the temperature would have to be real cold out. For 1-2 seconds it would make the noise than dissapear. I vote for worn power steering pump. My ps pump was the original one from 1989.

[71Corolla]

Originally Posted by Doctor J

I could speculate that this noise may be produced by alternator brushes

I never considered it might be the brushes, good thinking, makes sense.