This is driving me insane!
My (March) 2003 righthand drive, Alfa 156JTD Sportwagon (150bhp), 20,000
miles, has an electrical sounding intermittent buzz coming from inside the
dash, generally behind and slightly to the right of the steering column when
you look forward from the drivers seat. This can also be heard occasionally
coming from the lefthand (passenger) side of the dash.
It only seems to happen when the car is cold and the outside air temp below
11 degrees centigrade. It sounds like a cross between short circuit and a
rattle, but because of it only happening when the car is cold and for the first
15 minutes of the journey, i am certain that it is electrical. Once the car is
warm, it disappears completely and does not happen again until the car is
fully cold. I'm not sure if it's related, but a slight buzz can also be heard from
the lefthand front door speaker when this is happening (stereo off). I have owned the
car from new. It is completely unmodified, with the standard Bose single CD
player. I have tried turning various equipment on and off, i.e. climate
control, stereo, lights, etc and nothing seems to work. Moving the steering
column in and out has a small effect, but only briefly. I have looked up under
the dash and cannot see or feel any obvious loose connections. I have
removed the steering column cover, and there is no evidence there either.
The noise varies in intensity, but tends to be worst on rough roads. Does
anyone have any ideas or similar experiences? My Alfa dealer (and other
dealers) haven't a clue!
My (March) 2003 righthand drive, Alfa 156JTD Sportwagon (150bhp), 20,000
miles, has an electrical sounding intermittent buzz coming from inside the
dash, generally behind and slightly to the right of the steering column when
you look forward from the drivers seat. This can also be heard occasionally
coming from the lefthand (passenger) side of the dash.
It only seems to happen when the car is cold and the outside air temp below
11 degrees centigrade. It sounds like a cross between short circuit and a
rattle, but because of it only happening when the car is cold and for the first
15 minutes of the journey, i am certain that it is electrical. Once the car is
warm, it disappears completely and does not happen again until the car is
fully cold. I'm not sure if it's related, but a slight buzz can also be heard from
the lefthand front door speaker when this is happening (stereo off). I have owned the
car from new. It is completely unmodified, with the standard Bose single CD
player. I have tried turning various equipment on and off, i.e. climate
control, stereo, lights, etc and nothing seems to work. Moving the steering
column in and out has a small effect, but only briefly. I have looked up under
the dash and cannot see or feel any obvious loose connections. I have
removed the steering column cover, and there is no evidence there either.
The noise varies in intensity, but tends to be worst on rough roads. Does
anyone have any ideas or similar experiences? My Alfa dealer (and other
dealers) haven't a clue!