compressor sound?

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vetboy45

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 15, 2013
Messages
56
Does anyone else have an occasional sound like a compressor or a pump coming from the motor compartment? It's pretty loud and I have never heard it from my tesla so I was just wondering what it is.
 
That's possible, athough I've always assumed it was a pump supplying pressure for the mechanical brakes. I sometimes feel a bit of feedback through the brake pedal that seems to coincide with the pump activity (which, to my ear, is a sort of soft "buzzing" noise).
 
When I start and stop is when I have noticed it so it is likely the same thing you're hearing. WattsUp - it is pretty hard to hear from inside the car with the windows up but pretty darn loud when outside the car or in a garage. I only ask because one of the coolest things about driving an electric is how it silently starts and moves, especially when giving someone a ride or just demonstrating the car. The big buzzing noise kind of ruins the effect.
 
Could it be the noise generated to make pedestrians aware the car is moving? I think it makes it under 3 mph. Just wondering...
 
DavidJohnson said:
Could it be the noise generated to make pedestrians aware the car is moving? I think it makes it under 3 mph. Just wondering...
I don't think it makes such a noise. Ford was entertaining various noises for such a purpose but since it hasn't been Federally mandated (yet) the FFE doesn't.


I'd guess that what they are hearing is a vacuum pump. The mechanical brakes are, most likely, operated just like the ICE version and use vacuum as a boost. In addition, since so many other systems on an ICE car use vacuum to operate (like the entire HVAC system) it is very likely that they just put in a vacuum system to make use of the existing parts.
 
My 2013 definitely makes the noise. It's kind of hard to describe but, it sort of sounds like a rattle under the hood. Hope this helps. :p
 
I also hear the sound most times right after I open the door or a couple seconds. Sometimes, it is accompanied by a clicking sound. On occasion, right after I plug it in, also. I have never heard a sound exactly like it before, but I'm guessing some sort of pump.
 
I think the noise is in a compressor for the brake booster.

It is much louder than the Volt, however, it is much quieter and faster than what I had to use for my homemade BEV Ranger.
 
I was in my garage this morning just before my FFE was scheduled to precondition when this compressor/pump kicked in. It ran for a good 5 minutes before the HVAC turned on to start the precondition.
 
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