So I was in my car parked in the parking lot of a local store waiting for a friend to come out after buying something this afternoon and I had the car running while waiting(it is cold out) I hear this slight whirling noise coming from the back of the car. I turn off the heater/radio and everything else that makes noise and listened and I could still hear that whirling noise coming from the rear seat/rear floor area.

I get out of the car and stand next to the drivers side rear door and I can hear the whirling noise and that it seems like it is coming from under the car. It is a bit hard to describe the sound but it almost reminds me of the sound the fuel pump makes when you first put the key in the ignition and turn the ignition to on(but not starting), there is that priming the pump sound.

The sound is pleasant enough and not harsh sounding at all.

Do these fuel pumps(especially the main pump on the outside of tank) make noise that is able to be heard in the car with the car parked and running and the radio turned off?

It is not a loud or harsh noise. I have heard and had bad/noisy fuel pumps and these ones in this Volvo don't have that buzzing/loud whine/moaning sound(that bad power steering kinda noise)

So does this mean a dying pump or is this noise normal?

Thanks

 

My new to me '97 960 wagon has the same noise, It's so new to me that I haven't put plates on it yet. It's on "E" so I'm hoping a full tank will quiet it down once it's registered. I'm curious to find out if this is a early warning sign of a needing a new pump or just a normal noise. Hopefully someone will chime in with a answer.

 

You shouldn't hear the pump, unless you're looking for it. Is there fuel odor?

 

In my case, no. Car has plenty of pep and runs smooth. Just a noticeable hum, especially if you open the gas cap.