Hi,
When I start the car (from cold or hot) with the windows up and aircon on auto (no stereo), I can here the lift pump (wining) before I actually turn the key all the way to engage the starter motor.
If I get out off the car and go to the back while the car is running I can hear it (wining away)
Does this mean the pump is on the way out? (Should I replace it before it breaks and thus needing a new filter, tank etc)
Many Thanks,
Andy
Help!!
Moderator: Moderators
Re: Help!!
Lift pump? Do you mean the little pump at the drivers side rear wheel beside the fuel tank? As I hear that prime and whine everytime I turn the ignition on before starting the car. Its like a small electrical whine like what a telly gives off (although, I seem to be the only one that can here the telly! I can tell if people have a telly on even on mute by this sound)xplosiv wrote:Hi,
When I start the car (from cold or hot) with the windows up and aircon on auto (no stereo), I can here the lift pump (wining) before I actually turn the key all the way to engage the starter motor.
If I get out off the car and go to the back while the car is running I can hear it (wining away)
Does this mean the pump is on the way out? (Should I replace it before it breaks and thus needing a new filter, tank etc)
Many Thanks,
Andy
It's been like that ever since I got the car in 2002. Seems to me to be normal.

- Welly
- The moderator formally known as Welton
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I can hear my lift pump aswell, makes a whiney, pathetic noise easily heard inside and outside the car.
It's allways been like it, it runs for say, 5-10 seconds then stops. If you put the key to ignition, then take the key out again without starting the engine the pump will still go through it's run cycle with the keys out!
I wouldn't bother about it, only look into it if it sounds really naff or uneven/stuttery or indeed it stops working.
It's allways been like it, it runs for say, 5-10 seconds then stops. If you put the key to ignition, then take the key out again without starting the engine the pump will still go through it's run cycle with the keys out!
I wouldn't bother about it, only look into it if it sounds really naff or uneven/stuttery or indeed it stops working.
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Turn your key to the second position but don't start the car, you should hear the whirr of the lift pump even with the windows shut (its under the rear seat). It should run for about 5-10 seconds, it stops when the pressure is correct in the low pressure fuel line. If it runs continuously then it could be a sign that your pump is on the way out, or you've got a leak somewhere.
Fog
Fog
Hi,
All seems fine on the lift pump.
Ok I have had the cam belt changed, water pump changed, egr valve changed and the vacuum pump changed. Is there anything else I should change before I leave the car alone (until the next service)?
I ask as it is a second hand car, as with my 309 dt I replaced loads of known problems initially and it never let me down in 6 years, so I am doing the same with the 406.
Many thanks for your help,
Andy
All seems fine on the lift pump.
Ok I have had the cam belt changed, water pump changed, egr valve changed and the vacuum pump changed. Is there anything else I should change before I leave the car alone (until the next service)?
I ask as it is a second hand car, as with my 309 dt I replaced loads of known problems initially and it never let me down in 6 years, so I am doing the same with the 406.
Many thanks for your help,
Andy
Just keep an eye on fluid levels. Thats all you really need to do now then. I've had my 406 4 years. it had 114K on the clock when I got it and now has 182K.xplosiv wrote:Hi,
All seems fine on the lift pump.
Ok I have had the cam belt changed, water pump changed, egr valve changed and the vacuum pump changed. Is there anything else I should change before I leave the car alone (until the next service)?
I ask as it is a second hand car, as with my 309 dt I replaced loads of known problems initially and it never let me down in 6 years, so I am doing the same with the 406.
Many thanks for your help,
Andy
All I've done since I've had it is replace the coilpack, timing belt, exhaust and brakes all round.
I'm going to change the oil soon. Thats perhaps something you should do. Keep up to date with scheduled oil changes.
Other than that... you should have trouble free motoring.
My car out does newer cars in my street for reliabilty and steadfastness


Its sorta like "zzzzzzzzzt" for about a second and a half when you turn the key two clicks. Then it calms down to a quiet electrical sound which is the fuel pump.Welton wrote:I can hear my lift pump aswell, makes a whiney, pathetic noise easily heard inside and outside the car.
It's allways been like it, it runs for say, 5-10 seconds then stops. If you put the key to ignition, then take the key out again without starting the engine the pump will still go through it's run cycle with the keys out!
I wouldn't bother about it, only look into it if it sounds really naff or uneven/stuttery or indeed it stops working.
I wouldn't be surprised if now one can here the pump going... I seem to be able to hear migher pitches of sound than most... For instance... I can tell if someone in their house has a telly on by ther electrical sound they make.
No one else I know can hear it.. lol
