Name that noise again!

[srichards]

Not content with the knocking from the front there's now a strange buzzing from behind the instrument panel. It's not cabin fans as I turned those off briefly and the noise carried on. It's a buzzy squeaky sort of noise. It's only noticeable above 10 mph. It goes away when you slow down or stop. Errr?! It seems to be coming from right behind the instrument panel. Pressing on it doesn't make it go away so it's not a vibration. I suspect it's some kind of weird warning about something but I have no clue as to what.

[srichards]

I still have this buzzing noise. It's driving me mad! The OK light isn't lighting when you start the car but if you go through the self check manually then you get the orange ok.

Secondary air pump has been replaced as it was full of water and the main fuse had also popped as that got wet. That made the emissions light come on so I assumed it might have been that. That light is gone but the noise remains. It's worse when the car is warmed up or the weather is warmer.

Noise only happens when you are driving along. There are no warnings in the panel thing. It never says ok when you start it. It used to before I had all the hassle with the dead battery and the water coming round the pollen filter.

Anyone know if in a rhd car the relays that are in the micro panel are still behind the steering wheel area? The noise is coming from where that would be if it were. It's definitely a stuck relay electrical buzzy noise. Wondering if J555 which isn't hydraulic pump relay might be something for the DRC and could that be what is making the noise?

Other alternative is that it is the low oil pressure warning noise but I can't see it because the stupid panel isn't working properly. Oil level is normal but there isn't a proper oil pressure gauge to check against. I tried revving gently to about 2000 rpm while stationary and I can't hear the noise so I'd hope that means it can't be oil pressure as I'd expect it to trigger at the same rpm.

Is there some way you can turn the OK panel check off by mistake and is there a way of making sure it always does the check and displays the OK?

[Ajc]

There really isn't anything directly behind the instrument cluster, however the relay bank And mega fuses are behind the headlight switches . If the noise is only there whilst moving then I would suggest it's not a relay as it would be constant . The cluster is held in place by two Phillips screws so may be worth removing it and seeing if you can see of hear anything from it . Other option is it may be some third party electrics that have been installed in that area ? .

[Nobby]

Its not quite the same area, but the HVAC has number of flap controllers with mini motors in. One of those could be duff (i.e. spinning the motor), but I'd expect the cogs to be clicking too. The majority of these are on the passenger side though, accessible if you remove the glove box.

[Ajc]

Could it be your lights on warning buzzer on its way out ?

[srichards]

The noise is definitely coming from the left hand side of the steering wheel and not where the headlight switch is. The lights aren't on and whether they are on or off makes no difference to whether I get the noise or not. I'll have another listen though.

There's a clicky ticky noise with the buzzing. I did turn the aircon off and the noise was still there. I'll have to check it again. I'm wondering whether just to hoover the dash area and hope it's just crud in there!

I want to find out the cause even if the cure just involves turning up the stereo....

[Ajc]

Too the left of the wheel there's a small unit that appears to have gps aerials going in or coming out of . Not sure if this would have a cooling fan or could simply be vibrating as it is metal housed and is on a meat bracket . Worth a look ?

[srichards]

Too the left of the wheel there's a small unit that appears to have gps aerials going in or coming out of . Not sure if this would have a cooling fan or could simply be vibrating as it is metal housed and is on a meat bracket . Worth a look ?

I have an aftermarket sat nav so I don't know whether it uses the car's own gps system or whether it has its own. I'll have a look anyway. Might just mean stuffing a bit of foam padding in there to shut it up.

After a bit more driving around and poking of trim the bit to the left of the wheel makes a squeaky metallic noise when pushed so it might be that. I also notice the bit of trim the headlight switch stuff is in is slightly loose. There is general squeaky plastic noise all around the instrument panel. Then the leather seats joined in as well. Noise is still there with aircon and stereo off so it's either a stuck relay or it's just the plastic moving and squeaking which I really don't expect on an Audi. It's like having an italian car again!

Now going to investigate plastic trim quietening solutions!

[bilko1]

The unit you are describing AJC sounds like the TMC unit.

[Ajc]

The unit you are describing AJC sounds like the TMC unit.

quiet possiblet, I'm still fairy new to owning mine so haven't had a chance to get to grips with what everything is and where it's placed. Could said unit be responsible for the OP'so noise ?

[Shoppinit]

No, it's completely passive.

[srichards]

Still have the noise. I moved the steering wheel into a slightly different position now I swear the noise is definitely coming from the right of the steering wheel. Aarrghhhhh. Which puts it slap bang behind the lights switch or maybe the vent thingy or god knows. Bloody thing.

[Ajc]

Lower dash it very easy to remove . Only held by a few 8mm bolts . Worth pulling it off to see if you can pin point the noise .

[srichards]

secondary air pump! It was full of water and not working so once it was replaced with a new one the noise went away and the emission light went away... So if you have an annoying buzz from the dash and the emissions warning light comes on then it's probably that.

The noise stopped and I haven't heard it at all since it was replaced.

I was just thinking how great the car had been and it had sailed through the MOT.. then the emissions light came on again this weekend and is stuck on. Back to the garage again

[Rstoney]

Mine made a sloshey kettle boiling noise a few weeks ago, I got MRC to code it out when they gave it a service. Also got a remap too. Much better opition to map it out I think!