keyless entry control box makes a "buzzing" sound

[Autophile]

I installed my new keyless entry (KE) system on my '91 over the weekend. Since then, I've noticed a "buzzing" sound coming from the KE control box when the car engine is running. The pitch stays the same at all engine speeds. Is it normal to hear this after installing the unit?

TIA

 

[Briank]

No, But are you sure the noise is coming from behind the right side of the dash. A constant buzzing noise is normally attributed to the aspirator fan.

 

[Autophile]

I haven't confirmed that the noise is coming directly from the KE box. But I did notice it right after I installed the system. The buzzing sound is actually pretty faint, but it is noticable when the radio is off or turned down low.

Is the aspirator fan that you mentioned the climate control system fan?

Thanks.

 

[MarkB]

Is the aspirator fan that you mentioned the climate control system fan?...

The aspirator fan is located in front of the emergency brake handle behind 3 or 4 little slots.

 

[Briank]

My electrical trouble shooting manual say's that the keyless door lock control unit is solid state so there should be no moving parts to make noise.

 

[Autophile]

The aspirator fan is located in front of the emergency brake handle behind 3 or 4 little slots.

Ah, right. Ok.

My electrical trouble shooting manual say's that the keyless door lock control unit is solid state so there should be no moving parts to make noise.

Hmm, well... I guess I just won't worry about it then, since it seems to work fine otherwise. Maybe I'll snoop around and see if anything else is suspect.

Thanks guys!

 

[dgaetano]

My electrical trouble shooting manual say's that the keyless door lock control unit is solid state so there should be no moving parts to make noise.

It is solid state, I've taken mine apart (96 though, but I doubt they're that different). If you confirm that it's the keyless entry module that's buzzing take it back. Buzzing electronics bad.

 

[Autophile]

After listening closely, I tracked the sound to the aspirator fan. The keyless unit is actually not making any sound (whew).

Thanks for directing me to the correct answer, Briank.

BTW, is the aspirator fan noise normal? I just wonder why I never heard it before...?

 

[Briank]

The aspirator fan pulls air past the temp. sensor for the climate control system and over time it gets coated with dust and dirt. This buildup will get to the point where the fan will make noise, it was just a coincidence that it happened to get noisy right about the time you installed the keyless entry. This is a very common problem with the NSX, my 91 aspirator fan is noisy also. I have it on my to-do list of things to fix in the off season which is coming very soon here in Wisconsin.