Odd noise

At start-up my wife's 2001 Intrigue makes a very loud noise, which sounds like a motor or pump running. This lasts until the fast idle kicks down and then it goes away. It used to be a whine, now it has progessed to a scream or high growl and when it goes away it sounds as if it's hanging up or something, then it's gone. The sound seems to be coming from the drivers side front engine compartment, under the airbox perhaps, but I'm not sure if there's a pump or motor of any kind underneath the airbox area. It's getting really annoying and I haven't really torn into it yet - just wondering if anyone knows of a pump or motor that runs on start-up?

there is little on this side of the car (3.5L). It sounds like your starter is hanging up = starter doesn't retract after you start the car. So the starter motor is running when the car is running at start = eventually the starter retracts and the noise is gone.

This should be a fairly heinous sound since the starter is only made to run at ~1000rpm.

Sounds to me like the secondary air injection pump or whatever its called, they are somewhat problematic on these cars, in fact theres a TSB or two out on them.

It runs when you first start the car up and then yes does shut off, so thats my guess.

Try this, remove the driver-side headlight (ridiculously easy) and then start the car, this should help you further pinpoint the sound. If it sounds like its that pump(you should actually be able to see it with the headlight off if memory serves) then you can either a) leave it alone or b) take it to the dealership/mechanic and see what they say about it or c) replace it (expensive)

I agree with LittleHoov. When I first bought my '02 I noticed that noise the 2nd day I had it, when I was outside the car and my wife started it to go to the store. It seems to run about 45 seconds and then turns off. I ended up removing the pump and found that the bottom cover/pickup had fallen off it. I rigged it up somehow to stay on - can't really remember how, whether I glued it or used some screws?? It was a couple of years ago - You may want or need to replace it though, if it sounds as bad as you say.

I have to agree on the secondary air pump. I actually had it replaced (under warranty) a few years ago and it seems to be a fairly prevalent issue if you search through some of the past threads. I'm wondering if I disconnect it until I get around to replacing it - would I have a problem? Would it throw codes or run poorly, or could I leave it disconnected until I get it fixed? Any ideas?

Thanks.

I'm guessing it would throw a code if you disconnected the wiring - I don't know if it would affect the running. Why don't you try it and let us know what happens?

O.K., I unplugged it yesterday and drove it around for 10-15 minutes, with no sign of any issues. It ran fine and there were no CEL's or service lights. We'll know more today - my wife will do her dailies and if there's a problem, I will certainly hear about it.

You will probably get a 410 code but not notice any running issues. The secondary air pump only runs a little while at startup time to try to reduce emmissions by burning up some of the unburned gas in the exhaust. The secondary air pump will have no effect on the day to day running of the car.

Have any of you tried to fix the motor? I tried, but only made it a bit quieter. See my post named Starter on its way out.

FOLLOW THE HOSE FROM UNDER THE secondary air injection pump UP AT THE END OF THE HOSE THERE IS A FILTER PULL IT OUT CLEAN IT AND PROBLEM SOLVED.....[mine was caked with undercoating oil]
i used carburator cleaner