1HD-T "electric fan" sound when key first turned on

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finderscuba

finderscuba

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Nov 3, 2008
Threads
107
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1,146
Location
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Truck is a JDM 90 HDJ81. I'm having starting issues likely related to the glow system. I have yet to delve in and troubleshoot.

Anyway, when I turn on the key, there is an "electric fan" type noise coming from the centre dash area that lasts for approx 20-30 seconds. It is quite loud and I'm not sure what it is. This is with the HVAC turned off and the rear heat turned off. Any ideas? The sound remains while the key is "on", "ACC" position and while cranking.

Thanks, I'm still new to this truck.
 
Power antenna? My Antenna cord is busted and the motor whirrrrrrrs for a while.. I notice it more when I shut the motor off... the auto down function. whirririrrrirrrirrrirrrrirrriirrirrrirrrirrrr. I am assuming it does same when I turn on the engine.
 
Yeah, the old Benz 240D does that, the antenna motor sounds a little sickly and makes a bit of noise...

Check your charging system and battery condition, my 2LT GP system was acting funny (chattering relays) when my alternator went for a crap.
 
It's not the power antenna - mine is a manual up/down. The sound is definitely like a whirring electric motor. Kind of whines. Not like a relay chatter. Perhaps it's related to my faulty glow system??? I have major issues starting this thing when it's cold. I glow 4 or 5 times for at least 15 seconds each and it cranks and cranks and cranks until finally it starts blowing black smoke and catches.
 
some truks have a small electric pump to send the fuel to the injection pump. I don't know if your car has it but if it's, have a look there... black smoke is a bad combustion indication...
 
Sounds like you should bypass the glow computer and tie a momentary rocker switch into the main glow relay so you can push and hold it as long as you want before and after the engine is running.
Also remove the bus bar and check the plugs for resistance and continuity.
You got a inline coolant heater and oil pan heating pad yet... probably worth doing, sounds like it's pretty unhappy starting in Winnipeg temps.

I can't think of anything in the glow system that could make a whirring fan like noise..

Weird, assuming it's electrical related....
Maybe go through the fuse box and pull one fuse at a time and see when it stops...at least then you can narrow it down to the circuit.

Sheldon
 
The noise stops after some time. It's just been too cold to chase it down. Maybe tomorrow morning I'll try to take a cellphone video of my cold start situation.

How do I remove the bus bar? The manual has absolutely nothing about this. The plugs all have yellow plastic caps on them. Are there just nuts holding the bus bar to each plug?

A thought just dawned on me, perhaps the glow controller is making the noise? Where is the glow timer anyway? The FSM says it's "Under the instrument panel on the passenger side". Can anyone narrow this down a bit? I can't take apart my dash in this weather, it's bound to crack.

I installed a lower rad hose heater a month ago when the temps were warmer. It isn't making my starts any better. I'll have to check it again when I replace my thermostat.

BTW My Xmas list included a 220v garage heater. This will be going in over the holidays. Then I can actually work on this thing!!! But in the meantime, if the temps drop much more, I won't be able to start my truck.
 
The glow timer is above the glove compartment. Remove the two screws under it, then it comes out. Then the timer should be obvios. It has 1-hdt written on it if I remember correctly.

Some trucks have a electric fan above/behind the radio, could it be making noises?

What about the servo motors for the vent "flaps" inside the heater?
 
finderscuba said:
The noise stops after some time. It's just been too cold to chase it down. Maybe tomorrow morning I'll try to take a cellphone video of my cold start situation.

How do I remove the bus bar? The manual has absolutely nothing about this. The plugs all have yellow plastic caps on them. Are there just nuts holding the bus bar to each plug?

.
Click to expand...

The 10mm nuts are what hold the bus bar on. The plastic hats are insulators
 
Hi,
l have two 92 HDJ81s,even at minus 20 winnipeg winter,the glow light only comes on for 5 or 6 seconds and starts right away,they starts easy compare to the 3B and 2H.
have you check the glow plug resistance?check for power at the glowplugs when key on?change fuel filter?
l have glow plugs and fuel filter if you need them.
Simon liew
TLC import connection
ARB dealer
92 HDJ81,lifted,locked,factory winch,snowplow,ARB bumper
92 HDJ81,lifted-wife's
92 HZJ77
81 BJ42 rusty
82 BJ42 rockrawler
 
forgot to tell you l am in Winnipeg
Simon
 
Cold start video

Okay, I shot a cellphone video this morning of my morning starting routine. The temperature was -30°C when I went to bed last night. The lower rad hose heater was plugged in all night and this morning the temperature was -20°C when I started it.

At the beginning of the video, you can hear the whine that started this thread. The rest of the video shows how many glow cycles and how long I have to crank to get going. I really don't think the glow system is doing its thing.

I uploaded to YouTube (YouTube - 1HD--T Cold Start). Take a look (excuse the poor quality) and let me know what you think of the whine (and the starting issue).
 
My money is on the glowplug system.Have you checked the individuel glowplugs? I'm thinking maybe 2 or 3 or even more of them are dead or the power feed to them is either not working at all or is being cut short despite the warning lamp on the dash saying otherwise.
I have the later FT motor which admittedly has a different setup which replaced the glowplugs with an intake air heater.The truck fires instantly with the heater disconnected (faulty relay) down as low as -9deg C. OK, -9 is not -20 but the point I'm making is that with full glow your truck should fire first turn.The fact that it bellows black smoke when it does fire effectively rules out fuel starvation.

Interestingly I also get a similar noise from the dash when 'ign' is turned on but it is not quite as loud and it's very brief...maybe 4-5 secs max.
 
You have problems somewhere, I would suspect in the glow system. Mine starts easier than that at -30°C and not being plugged in with a couple of suspect glow plugs.

Easy enough to check out with a $10 meter.
 
jasonmt said:
You have problems somewhere, I would suspect in the glow system. Mine starts easier than that at -30°C and not being plugged in with a couple of suspect glow plugs.

Easy enough to check out with a $10 meter.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I haven't done any glow system troubleshooting for 2 reasons: the cold and Christmas. I just don't have the time right now, nor do I want to troubleshoot in the cold. I will be looking at it tonight.

But what is the whining noise at first key turn?
 
it may be a longshot, but there is a fan over the stereo. It isn't silent. Maybe in the cold it is whining more than normal until the internal lubrication gets liquid?
 
sandcruiser said:
it may be a longshot, but there is a fan over the stereo. It isn't silent. Maybe in the cold it is whining more than normal until the internal lubrication gets liquid?
Click to expand...

A fan for what? I hear this noise totally independent from the HVAC system (front and rear). It is not the HVAC fan.
 
Hey I was thinking that I was alone .. I have this sound too .. barely noticeable, and since I didn't let my key on AC so much .. never pay to much atention.

But I was wondering that there is a glow timer ( logical asociation ) or the vents motor moving to the position what I set .. that are front and floor.

Just and end note .. that's killing your bat and your engine .. ( not to mention the starter )
 
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