I have a 1999 Volvo S70 GLT which makes a whining noise only when the car has not been used for several days. When I went on vacation last month I disconnected the battery for 20 days. When I got home I reconnected the battery. To get a good start I turned the key until all the lights when on and the fuel pressure built up and paused for about 3 seconds. Then I turned the key and the car started but there was a type of whining noise. It was more electrical then mechanical. It was like something was charging up fast. Then the car started, it was stumbling a little but not much.

Keep in mind I drove the car everyday for 30 minutes prior to the vacation. On the day of the vacation I started the car one time to ensure oil would be circulated and drove for about 5-10 minutes then disconnected the battery.

Does anyone have any ideas what is happening?

Andrew

1999 Volvo S70 GLT 180,000 miles

Possible fuel pump noise? After sitting that long, I will soon start my 1995 after it has sat since November, the fuel rail will be totally empty. When you turn the key to posII, the ECM will run the pump for a couple of seconds but that is not enough to completely fill the fuel line up to the injectors and also get the pressure up to 40psi. I suspect that the pressure was just enough to get a couple of injectors flowing and a slightly rough idle. It should have smoothed out before 30 seconds of idle.

Next time you let the car sit, no need to run the engine. Just unplug the negative battery. At restart, turn the key to posII. When the priming is done, turn the key to off and back to posII again, then hit start after the pump stops whining.

My car has the battery connected, with a battery minder plugged in. I worry more about all of the oil that completely drained to the sump - no oil in lifters or rings.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

Hi Klaus,
Ok, thank you.
Andrew