compressor sound?

[vetboy45]

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.

 

[firewired]

if it is right when you start the car, or stop. That is normal. I think that may be the electrical pump for the coolant fluid for the batteries.

 

[WattsUp]

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).

 

[vetboy45]

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.

 

[DavidJohnson]

Could it be the noise generated to make pedestrians aware the car is moving? I think it makes it under 3 mph. Just wondering...

 

[jmueller065]

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.

 

[DavidJohnson]

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.

 

[Electrogator]

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.

 

[Charged Up]

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.

 

[jmueller065]

LOL 15 miles on my FFE and I heard this noise.

Starting up this morning. To me it sounded a lot like an aquarium pump (just a little louder).

 

[jmueller065]

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.