Hello all,

I have an '05 A4 B6 with a really strange sound coming from the front of the engine bay when I turn off the engine. It sounds like a ratchet turning or someone winding a clock. I first noticed it yesterday and today it has gotten louder. Any ideas what this is? Alternator? Fan motor? I really need to get this fixed...

I have posted a youtube link so you can hear it. It's about 10 seconds in when I cut the motor off.




Thanks!!!!

 

Disconnect the drive belt & see if the noise goes away. If it does spin each pulley & see where your noise is coming from. If the noise is still there after belt removal then it could be something with the timing belt,

 

I think I am going to check the fans first because the engine was not running when I heard the noise. If that is not it, then I will check the pulleys...I really hope it's not the timing belt. I still have some time before I need to replace it again.

Thanks for the tip!

 

Ok quick update... I was able to determine that the noise is coming from the radiator fan. If the heat is running then the noise is very loud and the fan runs at really high speeds. I don't hear anything when the heat is not running. I can also drive in "ECON" mode and the noise is very minimal. So, I guess it's time to change out the fan and from what I can tell I will have to put the car in the service position. I've never done this before so I'm sure it will be a bit time consuming.