The SRT-6 seems to be running great and I'm loving it whenever I get the rare chance to make use of its power but I was wondering about a noise I hear when I get to a stop light with city driving.

Whenever I come to a stop and the gear is still in drive I hear a "whirring" or "mechanical pump" sound for about 3-5 seconds. I do notice that it causes the cluster lights to dim slightly while this happens so I assume that it must be straining the alternator.

Any ideas on what it is? I only have 1300 miles on the car so far.

 

I have the same thing. I assumed it was the cooling fan at the radiator kicking on, then off.

 

Yup, you are correct. Mine does the same thing.

 

I believe you are not hearing the cooling fan, but the air charge pump. It happens when you first start the car and very shortly when stopping sometimes. It is very quick and a bit loud. It doesn't just happen when stopping, that's just when you can hear it. If you open the hood, you will see a black, cylinder on the driver's side in the front of the engine compartment. Listen while the hood is open, you'll find it. Research it on this site, there is plenty of discussion about what exactly it does.

 

You are correct sir. That is exactly what it is. I've only heard the fan come on with the AC on high. Never heard it or seen on aside from that.

 

Are you sure? Reason being is that that pump is a cold start emissions deal. Once the engine is up to normal operating temps the pump is no longer needed. During the summer months I used the A/C quite a bit and while driving around town that sound was on more often which to me says its the radiator fan.

My charge air pump also isn't that loud either when I hear it in the morning.

 

Depends on what exactly he is hearing. From his description, it sounds as if he is hearing the charge pump. One way to tell: open the hood and listen. You can definitely tell if the sound is coming from the rad. fan or the charge pump. Simple really. The rad fan is on the radiator, the charge pump is the canister on the driver's side of the engine compartment.

 

It is the Air Charge Pump, I get the same and went to the dealers to ask about the lights dimming too. They said as it draws significant current when it starts up , if the car is idling, it will dim the lights. Mine too will come on for a few short seconds, even 10 mins after it has been started and when I stop at traffic lights within this time period. I do not normally hear it if the car has been running for 15-20 mins +. They said it is normal and notheing to worry about.