Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting humming noise usually when its cold outside, anyone help?

Usually everymorning when its cold or just when the cars been sitting there during the day when its cold and I start my car, theres a humming noise coming from under the hood. The RPM raises and drops all by itself, up and down a couple of times and sometimes it will go too low and cut off. Does anyone know what this could be?? any info is appreciated.

Thanks,
Nomi

Although my engine is a Zetec, I've noticed that the cooling fan will sometimes run for a bit when the engine is started. After running for a bit, the fan shuts off. Maybe this might be what you are hearing??..my $00.02!

no its like not a machine stopping type humming noise, its a really bad one. I think it had to do with the exhaust because, I dont know why thats just what I think it is. But its weird how the RPM keeps jumping and falling like that. Sometimes the noise will be there after I start the car, and push on the accelerater, then it will come on and start doing it, until i rev the RPM above 3-4K, then it will go away until the rpm comes back down and it will usually do it all over again. Thanks you though, I dont think thats what it is but thanks for trying to help anyways.

Anyone else??? O yeah, and the car is still under warranty, but I absolutely HATE ford service. I bought the car used so its not like the warranties you get when you buy a brand new car.

Thanks,
Nomi

Sounds like the "moose". My '95 V6 was affected by it, a TSB called for replacing the air duct. I think there's a TSB for the SVT models too, but I'm not sure. Maybe check the TSB section on the main site.

Brian

'The Moose is Loose...they just love love the cold....!!!!

I just had that problem fixed on my 1999 SE Contour. The Ford dealership stated it usually happens on 1996-1998 Contours! Great! But it is a gasket either on the tranny or air intake. I am trying to locate my paperwork to tell you the specifics. I will e-mail you again this week if I find it and will tell you the specific parts/item. Mine just happened to be covered by warranty . Andy

Ok my experiance, it's a combo of the PCV valve (or something like that) and the O2 sensor. Ford will fix it if you still have warranty. They fixed mine.

I am having the exact same problem as you Desiguy91... I actually just took my car into the shop on Friday and they said they had to order some sort of a sensor.. I was in a hurry and didn't look at the paperwork to close, but the part is ordered and should be here sometime this week... I also have a 99 Contour SE sport.

When I start my car in the morning with my remote starter.. I can always verify that it is running, cause I can hear the howling from inside my apt, grrrr.. thats how bad mine is.. and every once in a while it also does the messed up idle thing.. the rpms jump from about 1500 to 500 and just keeps doing that...

when you find out exactly what ford replaces will you please let me know, so that way I can compare what they do to your car and what they do to my car. Thanks in Advance

Found it. They replaced the idle air control valve assembly. The Ford part # FMCXS2Z 9F715 BA. IT took 1 hr to install and problem has not occurred in two weeks.

I had the same problem last year with my '99 SE sport - and ford replaced the idle air control valve assy. But, my car is starting to do the same thing again...I guess those things only last a year?