This is a REALLY strange one...

I live in Houston, Texas, and it can get pretty hot down here. When it's REALLY hot outside, and we drive for any length of time, I catch a noise coming from the back of the van.

When I step out of the van (leaving it running), I can hear it louder, although I haven't been able to figure out exactly where the noise is coming from. I just know it's towards the back, and close to the body, because I can hear it inside the van ever so slightly.

The noise is a constant tone...and it sounds like the same sound as the warning tone that sounds when you leave the keys in the ignition, or the lights on...except that it's a CONSTANT sound.

It stops when I turn the car off...so I'm thinking something in the exhaust, but I haven't been able to get it to happen at the dealer, and now we are out of our warranty period.

It's starting to change seasons, so I might not even hear this again for several months, but I heard it the other day, and wanted to see if anyone else had any experience with this phenomenon.

Thanks in advance!

Fuel pump? It's located in the top of the fuel tank. Next time you hear it put your gloved hand over the exhaust pipe openning for a second or two and listen for a change in the noise. If theres' no change, it may not be the exhaust.

Fuel pump? It's located in the top of the fuel tank. Next time you hear it put your gloved hand over the exhaust pipe openning for a second or two and listen for a change in the noise. If theres' no change, it may not be the exhaust.
Hmmm...I hadn't thought about the fuel pump. I'll try your suggestion, and report back with what I found...

I don't know if this is your 9-5, or if you are just here helping us all out, but I for one, certainly appreciate all of your suggestions...

It is the fuel pump. I have a 2005 T&C and the pump has whined ever since I got it. It won't do it, however, in a Dealer's driveway!!! Mine whines louder just after a fill-up and gradually diminishes in volume as the level in the tank goes down.

C.B.

P.S. I,too, appreciate all the helpful advice from RIP..

well...should it be the fuel pump, my next question is...

do I need to do anything about it, or is it just a nuisance? It only happens to me when it's REALLY hot outside, and if it's not going to cause a problem, I'm inclined to leave it be.

The other question is...I'm at 45K, outside of my bumper to bumper...would this be considered the drivetrain, and covered under my 70K warranty?

I've had some issues with Chrysler and warranty items. (Blown head gasket for example...I have to pay $179.99 for a tune up to replace plugs that were "fouled" by coolant...because at 36K, they were due to be replaced (regardless of what their maintenance schedule claims). Not to mention that they already had everything apart, and all they SHOULD have charged me for were the plugs, but no...the BOOK says it should be X # of hours labor for a a tune up).

I have REALLY started to have a great dislike for Chrysler products. They aren't even REMOTELY close to the quality products they have put out in the past.

I don't believe that replacing the fuel pump at this point would be covered by your basic warranty which has expired. I took mine twice to my Dealer who is a very understanding and helpful guy but the noise wouldn't be audible while I was there so I just gave up and live with it. My van is a little over three years old with 25,000 miles on it. BTW, I have had zero other problems with the van.

C.B.

Do you need to do anything about the fuel pump if it's the problem?

I would lean towards no but, for a little CYA try sending 1thunder or RickMN a private message. They are both very experienced/certified techs.

EDIT

I was thinking, can't you turn the key on but without starting it and hear the fuel pump for about 3 to 5 seconds? If this is true maybe this can point more towards the fuel pump. Just a thought.

I was thinking, can't you turn the key on but without starting it and hear the fuel pump for about 3 to 5 seconds? If this is true maybe this can point more towards the fuel pump. Just a thought.

the noise does not sound unless it's hot outside...and the car has been driven for an hour or so.

I can hear the fuel pump when I turn the key, but it sounds normal.


(i told you this one was wierd...LOL! )

I have this exact same problem and it drives me crazy all summer. I am glad to be able to at least have some idea where it was coming from. I am at 67,000 miles on my 03 Caravan, so I won't even bother taking it to a dealer. I guess I will have to get it replaced. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.