I just bought a 99 ss convert with 35k miles and in perfect shape or so I thought. The A/C compressor went out, and the clutch master cylinder went out! Now I have a whine when I start the car that comes from the driver side, sounds like it is in the engine compartment or under the dash? It goes away after 1 minute or so but wasn't there when i first bought the car. Any ideas?
I assume the car had been sitting alot and that is what is causing the problems...parts drying out or something?
it was a one owner adult driver.
Thanks for any response.

 

I'm thinking it's the air pump cycling. To check you can pull the AIR PUMP fuse in the engine compartment, do a couple cold starts and see if the noise stops. Oh yeah, pulling that fuse will throw the SES light (P0412), but it'll go back off by itself after a few starts with the fuse back in. If the whine is really loud could be the pump is going bad.

 

I'm new to this....the fuse will be labeled in the manual showing me which fuse for the "air pump"?
If it is bad where is it located to replace?

 

The fuse is labeled "AIR PUMP" mine's 30 AMP, under the hood in the rear fuse box - you'll see it. The air pump is just behind and below the driver's side headlight - you can see if from the top, but to replace it you have to do it from the bottom.

 

this web site is great! Thanks for your help, I'm looking forward to learning more about this car. I had the other two problems taken care of at the dealership and hope to begin working on some of the stuff myself to save money. It sure sounds like the noise is under the dash but will pull the fuse at see if it goes away.
The car is completely stock except the skip shift I bought from SLP. I'm told it will hold value by keeping it that way, and it moves plenty fast for now. Just wish it wasn't black on black here in Florida. Thanks again for the education

 

Here's a link describing the AIR system, even shows you how to remove it if you want. http://www.ls1camaro.net/sections.ph...ticle&artid=70 It's normal for it to make a low whining sound when it's on, I wouldn't worry about it unless it's really loud. And welcome to the board.

 

Got it, i forgot to mention that it only whines when the car is fully heated up... after I go a few miles to the store or work and turn it off and then start it up again the whine goes for a minute or so. I will pull the fuse next time I go some distance to see if that is it. Thanks again, and if I decide to remove the air system and it throws "a code" I assume you mean the check engine light will come on and stay on? Is there any way to reset for other "check engine" light problems to show?

 

Hmmm...maybe it's not your air pump then, won't hurt to check though. Yes, if you remove the air system the SES light will come on, and stay on unless you have the codes programmed not to come on by PCM tuning. Any time the SES light comes on you can reset it manually:

Turn key on, don't start car
Pull PCM BATT and PCM IGN fuses
Wait 5-10 min
Turn ign off
Replace fuses

Check to see what the code is first though, even when you "reset" the PCM the light will come back on if the problem is still there. Autozone and other stores can read the codes/delete them if the SES illuminates for free.

I can't hear my air pump from inside the car, just when I'm under the hood, but it will dim my dash lights at night from a cold start.