I have a 2001 Civic. Recently, once I release the parking brake a whirring noise starts from under the passenger side dash. Sometimes it stops after a while sometimes not. It is relatively constant, doesn't change regardless of whether my AC or Fan are on/off. Engine speed doesn't matter-the noise starts when the car is in park. It sounds a bit like a wind up toy winding down. Anybody have any ideas? I just had an extensive service done a month ago at about 95,000 Km . Thanks for any help.

 

it'll be the hamsters in their wheel in the dash getting the car ready to pull away when you release the brake

got no idea to be honest, it manual or auto?

 

If its in motion it could be something as dumb as brake wear indicators. Might not have anything to do with your gearbox really or the fact that its in neutral. If you had extensive service then its probably not the brakes, but have you hit anything hard recently?

 

Haven't hit anything hard, no. I popped the glovecompartment off and and the sound is coming from in the dash, not in the engine/transmission. The general area where it seems to be originating has a lot of electrical components which I don't feel comfortable fooling around with.

 

Thanks! They used to run so quietly though.... . The car is an automatic. It seems odd though that there is no sound until I release the parking brake.

 

Call the bomb squad....pissed off any ladies lately? lol j/k I have no idea then.

 

Does the noise go away if you turn the headlights on? If so, run outside and see of both Daytime Running Lights are on. If one is out, it could be the DRL warning buzzer which indicates a fault in the circuit somewhere.

 

It is most likely the DRL Relay chattering because of bad solder joints in the DRL Module. The DRL Relay is behind the glove box, the DRL Control Module is LH of the Steering Column under the dash. Search General Tech Help for "Daytime Running Lights" OR search for the string "Full Meal Deal" where there is a more complete description.