When I start my truck on a cold morning (freezing or below, roughly), there is a buzzing sound that starts a few seconds after the engine starts up. It sounds like it is coming from under the hood, but the engine is noisy enough normally that I haven't been able to locate it . I just wondered if anyone else has noticed this and has found out what it is.

 

i dont know what it is, but i also hear it.

 

I have the same noise and haven't been able to locate.

 

Power steering fluid boys. Check your fluid level. If it is okay, replace the fluid with synthetic.

Been there, done that.

 

I too have that noise in the same conditions. I have tried to locate it as well, and Geico may be correct as the sound appears to be coming from the power steerings general location.

Rich.

 

Check the fluid level 1st, mine was a bunch low. I never did have to change it out to synthetic, just fill it up. Stopped the growling right now.

We (DTR) usually gets a bunch of complaints about 2nd gens groweling on start up this time of year. Kinda like grid heater questions. Next time it happens try moving the steering wheel. If the tone changes at all you know it the PS fluid.

 

That buzzing noise you're hearing is coming from the injection pump. You should hear it at 15 below (the coldest here in MA). It's enough to make you cringe. That's metal to metal boys...

 

I get that sound too and if I rev the engine a bit it gets louder, and if I turn the wheel it gets louder and the same with the brakes, If it metal on metal in the IP why does it make the moaning sound only when cold and is there a way to fix it?

 

The moaning is most definately the power steering pump. The way to cure that is by going to synthetic PS fluid.

 

Thanks for the tips. I will definitely check the PS fluid...

 

I changed power steering fluid to cure it's noise when cold.this is a different type of buzzing noise not affected by steering

 

Could be your lift pump, does it change pitch as the grid heaters kick in. I mounted mine back by the tank, and in winter when cold you can hear it buzzing or vibrating.

 

May be a good idea to start a new thread for your problem.

I think most who have read this one think it was the PS. I vote for the LP on yours, but there me be others with better info.

Good luck!

 

I checked my PS fluid level after driving home tonight. It was down to a little below the "cold full" line, definitely not up to the hot full line. Is there any brand other than Mopar that I can add, or should I go enrich the dealer?

 

I added Mopar power steering fluid, got it up to the full line, and the noise is much less now, although I can still hear it at cold startup. Thanks again for the input.