high pitched sound when on, parked -- normal?

[stephent]

Just got my Volt last evening (I'll post some of the 2012 vs. 2011 changes I noticed in another thread). Drove it about 30 miles, charged it overnight with the 120v EVSE. Noticed a kind of a moderately loud, high pitched whine from the front of the car while it charged. Now, after charger unplugged, I still hear this whine when parked with the power on. I can only hear it outside the car, not from inside.

https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx...03BE4E82E2!102 has a small MP3 recording of the sound. Is this normal?

[techtom]

That sounds like the cooling fan to me... at least that's what mine sounds like. If you put your hand down by the fender well, you'll feel warm air being blown out. So yea, sounds normal.

[PatsVolt]

There are all kinds of subtile sounds, Fans, air conditioning compressor, brake system pump. there is one that is in the back of the car somewhere, could be fuel pump. And some will run while the car is charging or when you first start moving the car. All is normal because the car will inform you if it is not. Have fun with your new Volt.

Pat

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

@stephent,

Congratulations on your new Volt! I have to agree with Patsvolt, the car will inform you if something is not normal. I will however still look into it for you and I will let you know if I find anything.

[Steverino]

I hear stuff all the time while I wash my Volt (or am otherwise close to the car). Fans, pumps, etc. It's normal. It's actually kind of cool. The car is self maintaining the battery, just like it should.

[SharkVolt]

The battery cooling system usually has to run while the battery is charging, and will often continue to run after the charger finishes, until the battery pack is cooled down, especially if it is warm weather. In Fresno, (100 degrees right now), it will turn off and on all day, which is why it is recommended to leave it plugged in except when driving. It tries to keep the battery at or below 85 degrees.

[Slapshot28]

When we were using the Volt as an "emergency generator" (turned on, not plugged in, and working to provide juice to all three accessory outlets), clear noises were emerging. It seemed to be cooling its main battery, but I could be wrong.

[fishhawk]

Hmmm. I haven't heard that sound from my Volt. I hear all sorts of fan and A/C compressor sounds, but not that. If the sound is occurring while charging, it may be the inverter (although that doesn't explain the whine when unplugged). Does the sound come mostly from the right-front (passenger side) of the vehicle?

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Hi stephent,

I did some digging around and the sound you are hearing is most likely the coolant pumps running.

[stephent]

Thanks for the reassurance, all.