high pitch sound

Hi all,

I just recently bought an automatic 2000 Passat 1.8T with 100K miles on it. After 3 days of driving it, the infamous Check Engine Light came on and so did the Emissions Workshop message. I know there has been quite a bit of discussion out there, but does anyone know why my car has this very high pitch noise when I start it? Is this related to the lights, etc.? Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is my first VW (and car, as a matter of fact), so I'm fairly ignorant about these things.

Many thank,
calchemist

Does it sound like a blow dryer or a jet idling for take off ?? If so, it's the Air Injection Pump. Sound like a squealing bird ?? Possibly serpentine belt....
Ronny

I am looking to buy an 2000 Passat. When you start it up it makes the noise you just explained, is this a common noise? Should I not buy the because of this noise??

It's a wise idea to have any car you're thinking about buying checked out by a mechanic you trust. If they don't like it, look for another car.