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Buzzing noise and starter wont crank
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ProtistMan
New User
Oct 10, 2008, 9:20 AM
Post #1 of 4
(6135 views)
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Buzzing noise and starter wont crank
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I have a 1979 Pontiac Firebird Formula with 6.6 Liter V8 and an Auto Trans. I bought the car about a week ago and have had no issues until this morning. The Firebird started making a loud buzzing/humming noise coming from the passenger side of the car (it sounds like its coming from the back of the engine compartment). It started while I was on my way to work and I had the radio on and didnt hear it until i got off at my exit. The car was running and when i got to work I turned the car and ignition off. The buzzing stopped. Turn the key to 'on' and the buzzing starts again, I try to start, and nothing, the starter might give a weak grunt but then nothing(it is as if the battery was dead, but all the interior electrics work fine). The buzzing continues loudly the whole time the ignition is 'on'. I had plenty of power too. I had a spare battery that I was carrying with me and I also tried jump starting using a running vehicle. I was watching the voltage gauge on the dash and it registered that there was plenty of power. There was an intermitant problem with the battery positive terminal cable where I would get power but it wouldnt start, then i would reposision the connector and could start up again. I tried this several times with no luck, and as I mentioned before the voltage level showed pleanty of power (as it would when the connector was seated properly and I could start the engine). Thanks in advance!
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Ok, so the above happened at about 6 am this morning, It is now 11 am, Turned the ignition on and nothing, so I went out and reseated the battery cable and tried to start the car. The car started right up, but its still making the loud humming/buzz/vibrating noise coming from passanger side of the car. It sounds like if you but an electric razor or a vibrator on the hood of the car. Its a 35 mile drive home. Is it safe to drive it that far? Still wondering what might be causing this issue. Thanks in advance.
(This post was edited by ProtistMan on Oct 10, 2008, 10:38 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 10, 2008, 10:26 AM
Post #2 of 4
(6124 views)
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79 Firebird buzzing noise
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Just a guess or two:
The issue with it starting is probably not related and chase that down separate from this noise. If worried about cable connections just get new ones.
Some GM 70s cars had powered air exchange for passenger's compartment - meaning blower would be on a very low speed no matter whether heat or air was on or off. Same blower motor and at the low speed can make a funny buzzing noise that used to go away at requested higher speeds. It sounded like a mechanical problem but was just the blower bearings at lowest as said made that noise. Unplug the power to the blower completely as a test if you think that's even possibly the noise. If like ones I've had do that it does it engine on or off but only with ign to ON postion,
T
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ProtistMan
New User
Oct 10, 2008, 10:30 AM
Post #3 of 4
(6118 views)
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Re: 79 Firebird buzzing noise
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Hey thanks for the though! I added an edit to my original post that seems to be consistant with that you said. Also relating to the blower, when I bought the car the fan for the ventilation system has not worked. Maybe it just started to spin poorly again, does this sound possible? I guess I will go ahead and replace that power cable after all. Maybe its got a break in it somewhere thats causing me this annoyance. Anyway here is my edited/additional data
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Ok, so the above happened at about 6 am this morning, It is now 11 am, Turned the ignition on and nothing, so I went out and reseated the battery cable and tried to start the car. The car started right up, but its still making the loud humming/buzz/vibrating noise coming from passanger side of the car. It sounds like if you but an electric razor or a vibrator on the hood of the car. Its a 35 mile drive home. Is it safe to drive it that far? Still wondering what might be causing this issue. Thanks in advance.
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Thanks so much for your reply! Let me know if you think im on the right track!
(This post was edited by ProtistMan on Oct 10, 2008, 10:39 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 10, 2008, 10:53 AM
Post #4 of 4
(6107 views)
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Re: 79 Firebird buzzing noise
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Ok: If this is that blower motor thing it should quit that with it unplugged (underhood) or if blower is used at a higher speed or that would change the noise alone. Pretty sure this blower is real easy from underhood.
Cables: 79 bird might be a neat "keeper" of a car and I suggest getting better than OE cables if you bother. Ask for heavy gauge wire (one gauge!) yes! And they cost more but end a lot of amp drop problems as cables probably have been replaced with cheap ones and the cable ends at battery are a weak spot. The temp ends really aren't so good - they make good ones that cost as much as a whole cable though
If this noise is hard to pin it could be some funky box - resistor relay thing and with ign on/engine off you can use a listening rod to your ear like a stethoscope to peg it. I use a real long screwdriver for that. Ahhhhh - not suggesting that trick for folks on running engines - ok readers?
Good luck with the hunt. Funny about the blower thing that had many looking all over. Maybe it was just that many came my way back when these and other GMs weren't even so old??
T
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