QuestionI just purchased a used 1994 Toyota Camry wagon LE with V6, Auto, ABS. It has approx. 79kmi on the odometer. The past few days, the car has been making a noise I can only describe as buzzing and grinding combined, though it sounds an awful lot like the ABS self-test on my Honda Odyssey. I know that the ABS system typically does a self-test after the engine is started, but this sound only occurs after the car has moved forward a few feet; I do not hear anything similar before moving. Also note that I do not hear any kind of noticable ABS self-test after starting the engine, and I don't have any service lights on, and I did verify that the lights in the dash are all working. I've tried letting it idle in Park for a few minutes before moving, the sound never occurs. It only occurs after the car moves forward about 10 feet -- it doesn't matter what gear I put it in, I've tried it in D,2, and N (parked on a hill, started car, and let it coast). It only makes the sound after the car moves.
The sound only occurs once per startup and sounds like it's coming from the passenger side of the car in the engine compartment. Along with the noise is a slight, but noticable vibration. The sound probably lasts about 3 seconds.
I checked all the fluids, and they're all at the proper levels. I did a lot of maintenance after getting the car (changed fluids, water pump, timing belt, thermostat, rear brakes, spark plugs).
So what is this sound, and is it possibly detrimental to the car? My hope is that it is just the ABS system doing a self-test, but I wanted to get your opinion. Is this something I need to take into the dealer? Thanks for your advice!
AnswerNoises are hard to diagnose without actually hearing them but I can tell you that this is definetely not normal, from what you are describing, I recommend having the toyota dealer check it out, let me know what they find and the course of action to take.
