My ECU tends to make some strange noises. This normally occurs when i have just started the car and am ready for take off. It also sometimes does it when Im driving...it will suddenly start making the noise. It sounds like a computer trying to read a 3.5" hard disk, or like its trying to reset. Any ideas?

 

You sure it's the ecu making this noise? As far as I know, there is only one part that actually moves, and that would be the screw. How is the car running?

 

Yea it has to be the ecu, I remember one time when I was resetting it, it had made the noise, and I can feel a little bit of vibration. The car runs pretty good...sometimes better than others. Not as good as it should be...but not horrible either.

 

Isnt there an ac/heater vent under there by your feet? Maybe something around there is stuck.

 

bumpity bump

 

It might be one of your climate control motors (if you have auto climate control)... the ECU has no moving parts (no hard drives, etc.).

 

hm...well if it is one of them, is anything wrong?

 

Do you have auto-climate-control?

 

Yes

10char

 

Try this:
With the A/C on, use the mode button to change where the air is being vented (i.e. feet, vents, defrost vents)... each time you switch modes, you should hear a motor buzzing (might be really soft) - that is the vent control doors...

See if that sounds matches the sound you are hearing and describing in your original post.

 

No its a completely diffrent sound. I know what you are talking about, and its not that. Is there anything else in that area?

 

It did it again tonight...after a few seconds of the noise a code was thrown. Its the code 0309...which was determined to be a leak in a hose on the EVAP, nothing big...it can wait. But now im positive the noise is coming from the ECU.

 

Get a sethoscope and a screwdriver and listen to things to narrow it down to what it is making noises.