1997 850 Growling noise

tht828 · Post by **tht828** » 05 Nov 2007, 11:46

I'm getting a growling sound on the front R side behind the headlight. It happens when the ignition switch is turned on and the engine is off. It continues when the engine is running? Any ideas what it is? It almost sounds like a bad bearing noise.

phoenix_iii · Post by **phoenix_iii** » 05 Nov 2007, 13:47

Really get your ear, tube, or stethescope on it and tell us where it is coming from. If it's ignition only, it may be electrical...

Welcome to the site

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 05 Nov 2007, 14:51

It is likely the secondary air pump getting ready to croak on you. Does the sound quit after a few minutes?

If it is the pump you will need to replace it and the valve or it will just kill the new pump.

This might save you some money.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/air_pu ... nt_850.php

...Lee

Post by **pfeener** » 05 Nov 2007, 15:02

I was thinking the same thing, but he said it was on the RH side of the car. The air pump is on the LH side under the battery.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 05 Nov 2007, 15:42

Right...I'm thinking fan bearing on the large fan that cools the radiator and engine.

F18 · Post by **F18** » 05 Nov 2007, 18:06

tht828 wrote:I'm getting a growling sound on the front R side behind the headlight. It happens when the ignition switch is turned on and the engine is off. It continues when the engine is running? Any ideas what it is? It almost sounds like a bad bearing noise.

You hear it with the Ignition ON and the Engine OFF....the ventilation fan would come on.....probably a noisy bearing in the vent fan motor
Just a thought!
Cheers

tht828 · Post by **tht828** » 05 Nov 2007, 18:50

Thanks for the responses. I have replaced the secondary air pump and valve about 10K ago. At first I thought it had gone bad again, but on inspection its good. Also wrong side as mentioned, but I double checked to be sure it wasn't coming from the pump ( sounded similar). Any other components on the RH side?

Using the stethescope, it doesn't seem to come from the fan motor, but is loudest on the RH lighthousing. I'll try unplugging the fan to see if its referred noise.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 05 Nov 2007, 19:10

There is an atmospheric pressure sensor that is triangular in shape that is mounted to the right inside fender between the light housing and the windshield fluid tank. Just on a whim, check it out to see if it's not the culprit.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 05 Nov 2007, 19:12

Also wrong side as mentioned

My bad,

I looked out the front window of the house and - looking at the nose of the car - it was indeed the right hand side. I think I'm going to start saying "Port" or "Starboard".

On the (USof A) passengers side you have many options. Alternator, A/C compressor, and the serpentine belt tensioner or idler come to mind. We don't like to think of the other things that lurk behind the plastic cover.

...Lee

tht828 · Post by **tht828** » 05 Nov 2007, 19:44

Thanks Ozark Lee

Luckily, I doubt it's any of the costly items you mentioned. I get the noise all the time the key is in the on position, even when the engine isn't running. I'll check out the atmospheric pressure sensor in the morning,