Noise when you turn the key but not all the way

[stokefan]

Hi,

When I turn the key and it's really quiet, if i turn it just so you can see the red lights come on on the dash, you can hear this sound. Then after a short time it stops. Does anyone know what this is?

 

[SR_Micra_Boy]

Isnt it the alternator? I may be completely wrong tho, lol

 

[stokefan]

not sure, Micras dont have a carberetta do they, maybe it's the alternative to that? Filling it with fuel or something?

 

[James]

I'm pretty sure thats the fuel pump...

 

[59 bhp is more than enough]

yeah i would say its the fuel pump

 

[mean micra]

if it's like "mmmmmmm um"
and sound is quite low then 99.99% sure fuel pump....

but nothing to worry bout...

 

[mike]

its the fuel pump priming itself

if you dont hear it then your stuck.

Mike

 

[stokefan]

if it's like "mmmmmmm um"
and sound is quite low then 99.99% sure fuel pump....

but nothing to worry bout...

yea exactly that.

the thing is, sometimes I dont wait for it to do that, should I leave it till it goes "um" or doesn't it matter if I turn the key the full way round (to ignite) straight away?

 

[squigbobble]

I've never had a problem and I do it both ways but I s'pose it can't hurt to let the pump prime the system fully. One thing I've noticed is that if u put the ignition on so that the pump primes, wait for it to stop then turn the ignition off and back on it doesn't run the pump again, evidently it's triggered by a pressure sensor somewhere.

 

[NeX]

yep as people have said before that is the electric fuel pump refilling all the petrol tubes after the fuel in them has evaporated. if you open the door you can hear that the buzz comes from the back of the car... if i remember there should be a mecanical pump that takes over once the engine has started...

i try to let it finnish before i turn the key but the worst that could happen is that the engine doesn't start straight away, never been a problem for me though.

if the engine has trouble starting and you don't hear the buzz then you know whats wrong

if it does go wrong away from home then turning the engine over a few times by hand before trying to start it should be enough to prime the fuel system...

 

[goldstar0011]

just to add....it's the fuel pump

 

[kristian]

I get a noise from my ABS servos when i turn my ignition on..

 

[stokefan]

I havn't got ABS so mine'd defo be the pump!!! cheers for the replies lads!

 

[chrisuk]

i get a similer kinda noise, which goes when the AIRBAG light goes off, so I thought it was something to do with testing/activating the airbag system. But, fuel pump does sound more likely!

 

[Zed1]

this is common in micra's its not no problem. its only the electric sensors checking the airbag system and also the fuel is going into the filter.

 

[hughes_16v]

you can test if its the fuel pump by removing the fuse, its a blue 15amp fuse.

also you can immobillise your car by removing that fuse

 

[Ed]

squigbobble, there is no pressure sensor on Nissan ECCS. Just a timer, leave it for a few sec in the off position and you will hear it prime again.

Nex, there is no mechanical pump, once the engine starts, only electronic.

 

[Ian]

its a small squirrel in your tank trying to escape..... or a fuel pump.

 

[squigbobble]

squigbobble, there is no pressure sensor on Nissan ECCS. Just a timer, leave it for a few sec in the off position and you will hear it prime again.

Nex, there is no mechanical pump, once the engine starts, only electronic.

Ah, I must not be leaving it off for long enough then.

 

[NeX]

squigbobble, there is no pressure sensor on Nissan ECCS. Just a timer, leave it for a few sec in the off position and you will hear it prime again.

Nex, there is no mechanical pump, once the engine starts, only electronic.

ok i know that older cars had mechanical fuel pumps... thanks for the update