I think our 2016 rental car is already broken.

"mazda616" (mazda616)
04/30/2016 at 20:56 • Filed to: Rental Car

It makes a high pitched whirring noise continuously the entire time it’s running. The sound comes from the rear seat and trunk area and can be heard outside the car. It also doesn’t change with speed. It just stays consistent. And the voltage gauge keeps dropping randomly, but no warning lights have come on yet.

I told my wife if it acts up, take it back. I’m not having us get stranded by a damn rental.

DISCUSSION (37)

d15b > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:01

I would just do it now, before the weekend is up. YOU KNOW it’s going to act up during the work-week.

TheHondaBro > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:01

That’s... unfortunate.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:03

Fuel pump? That’d be around the location you say the sound is coming from...

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:03

Sounds like the fuel pump. Possibly the evap pump. Check the gas cap, if it’s loose the evap pump could run constantly.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:05

Yay rentals!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
04/30/2016 at 21:06

Typically, if the gas cap were loose, wouldn’t the CEL be on?

Steve in Manhattan > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:07

Rear whirring sound (Hnnnnnnnnnn) is often a fuel pump, which would be pretty rare in a car this new. But there it is.

mazda616 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/30/2016 at 21:08

I was thinking that. Or the “check gas cap” warning like our old Malibu had.

cbell04 > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:09

Have you tried doing a burnout with the e brake on? It wont fix it but it may cover the noise. Wait stupid fancy electronics probably prevent that.. Try two reverse 180's at 25mph and call us after.

CounterTorqueSteer > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:09

Kinja'd!!!

jimz > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:10

wow, so this is what passes for a bad car these days. “There’s a strange noise from somewhere, I don’t want this car stranding me.” It used to be you had to worry about a car stranding you if it, you know, actually stranded you.

mazda616 > jimz
04/30/2016 at 21:11

You haven’t heard the noise. You can hear it over the radio no matter how loud you turn it up. I’ve never heard anything like it.

Also. Never said this is a bad car. Aside from the odd noise, I like this car a lot.

mazda616 > Steve in Manhattan
04/30/2016 at 21:12

Wouldn't that make it run funny? It's smooth and quite quick. I thought fuel pumps caused stalling and cutting out at high throttle and all that.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:13

CEL comes on my dad’s MDX when cap is loose.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > jimz
04/30/2016 at 21:14

It’s a new car though

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:17

Fuel pump noise indicates imminent failure

Steve in Manhattan > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:17

I think it can be failing but still work - the first symptom is the sound, then maybe what you said. A motor with bad bearings will still work - until it doesn’t.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/30/2016 at 21:18

3 driving cycles.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
04/30/2016 at 21:19

Kinja'd!!!

You mean a trike?

MLGCarGuy > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:20

Is your LaCrosse, by chance, a hybrid?

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
04/30/2016 at 21:21

No, I mean a 3 cycle engine which has a power stroke an intake stroke and the driver has a stroke from the exhaust fumes.

Steve in Manhattan > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:23

And I’m trying to think what’s back there that would make a noise like that? Antenna motor? (probably doesn’t have one). No differential back there unless it’s AWD. Brakes make noise when a wheel is moving. License plate surrounds, trunk latches ... I got nuthin’.

Steve in Manhattan > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
04/30/2016 at 21:24

Is the evap pump in the back on these?

JDMatt > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:28

I work for a car rental company. take it back, just don’t expect to get a similar car...or that they’ll let you do the exchange for free.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:28

Every Subaru I’ve ever owned had that high-pitched fuel pump noise. Never means anything. My new VW also has a weird fuel pump prime noise; I wouldn't worry about it.

mazda616 > JDMatt
04/30/2016 at 21:40

Well we aren’t paying for this anyway. The guy who rear ended our car, his insurance is paying for it.

mazda616 > Steve in Manhattan
04/30/2016 at 21:41

My grandma’s ‘04 Cadillac Deville had that self leveling suspension. It would start up and make a whirring noise and then quit once it got the suspension where it wanted it. This sounds like that. But it never stops.

mazda616 > MLGCarGuy
04/30/2016 at 21:41

That would be cool! But no, it’s just a V6.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Steve in Manhattan
04/30/2016 at 21:42

Not sure where it is, just thinking check the easy likely stuff first.

Steve in Manhattan > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:57

Does this car have that? That would explain (nearly) everything. And is this thing AWD?

Steve in Manhattan > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
04/30/2016 at 21:58

True - and sometimes a noise travels, and you think it’s coming from the front, but it’s nearer the back. Interesting puzzle, this.

Steve in Manhattan > mazda616
04/30/2016 at 21:59

Oh wait - sticking caliper, or brake wear sensor?