Strange noise - RH 2B? - identifying just one.

[Jonty Wild]

Yes I know there are lots, and I know that identifying odd noises, when you can't hear them doesn't really work . . . . but:

I wandered into my garage yesterday and heard a strange quiet noise. At first I ignored it thinking it was the freezer, then I realised it wasn't.  When I went near the car, I eventually realised it was coming from around the steering column area behind the dash. It is quiet, like a slight tinkling, or for those of a certain age, like a very quiet telephone modem as heard through a telephone (in the olden days!). It is constant, i.e. it is there whether the ignition is on or off, so if it is electrical it must be live when the ignition is off. It is not using much power as I have been away for 10 days and the battery is fine. I drove it yesterday and it was still there after coming back.

I do have a GPS speedometer, which has been random lately as to whether it works immediately when the car is started - sometime it requires stopping and starting again or a longer pause before driving, but I don't suppose that is live until the ignition is on. 

It might have just started or may have been there for ages, with me ignoring it because of other noises, or maybe it is aliens trying to make contact.  

Any ideas?

[phaeton]

Do you have a wiring diagram for it, does it have fuses, that would be my first starting place, also find a small child their hearing is better than an old(er) man  they might be able to work out exactly where on the dash it is coming from.

Please obtain child legally as bad things happen to those that don't

[Jonty Wild]

I do have a wiring diagram (as far as I know it it is for the car). It does have fuses. The child would have to be so small I can stuff it under and behind the dash - maybe a baby would fit but then they are not good at pointing to noises! But by yesterday it had stopped - or does that mean I have got passed the age I can hear it - is that a solution?

[Derek]

I would disconnect the battery first, if it stops then it must be on the live side. 

Do you have a master switch with a live by-pass?

If it doesn't stop look for green eyed monsters making beep beep noises

[Jonty Wild]

I will next time (if/when) it happens, but I think that will definitely stop because it must be electrical, unless there is something wind up that mice are playing with. 

I don't have a live by pass as far as I know.

Surely all green eyed monsters have long legs so at least they wouldn't be able to drive it!

Edited August 1, 2025 by Jonty Wild
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[Spannerman]

 I know this may sound strange but it could be the flasher relay buzzing as it has a feed all the the time for the hazards. Try putting the indicator on each side in turn, Ign OFF, see if the noise comes back.

Edited August 31, 2025 by Spannerman

[Jonty Wild]

Thanks Spannerman, that is interesting and logical when I think about it. The noise stopped later the day I heard it for the first (only) time, maybe after I drove it and used the indicators. If it happens again I will follow you advice straightaway.

Thanks