Hi. My wife just called me out to look at our 2015 estate. When she started it it juddereed and a Start/Stop system error came up with the ignition warning light flashing. I stopped engine, started again OK, no error message but this time a high pitched whining noise started. It was audible from inside. After idling, it stopped, I drove it round the block and it started again, then stopped. It's not massively loud but is new. Done about 61k miles. Anyone had this or ideas please? Ta.

Have you had the bonnet up when the noise is going to see it you can get a better idea of location, careful use of a (improvised) stethoscope device perhaps or do a recording of the noise.

 

Noises can be hard to track down, I've a couple of ideas but they could be total guesses.  A scan tool reading may give you more information.

 

Have you checked the car battery at the battery posts with a multimeter to see what it's state of charge is (relating to the alternator perhaps.

 

What is the history of the car, it's service and maintenance and use. 

 

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

 

Edited 4 June, 20233 yr by nta16
spelling

Thanks nta16 for those ideas. I did have the bonnet up and it seemed to be coming from the middle of the engine area.

 

It's got less since a round trip of about 200 miles today but did hear it on the way back.

 

I don't have any of those tools but will try to record it.

 

I got the car 3rd hand in 2018. Its mainly used around town and driving 150 mile round trips to our elderly parents on motorways. Serviced annually.

How long have you had the car, what was the few last lots of servicing (VWSkoda "full" servicing isn't really not even for the engine let alone the rest of the car).

 

The driving around town will do the car very few favours but if the 75 mile trips are frequent and regular they will help.

 

Does your wife (and/or you) turn the ignition on, before starting the car, and the heater blower is still on and the air-con still from when she last turned the engine off?

 

Halfords or places like that will IIRC do free battery checks for you (but don't buy a new battery just on their say so).

 

Here is a list of site members who may be able to help you buy using an appropriate scan tool for your car, it's a diagnostic tool so not always a repair tool but is often needed on modern complex cars and the German marques love complex.. - Briskoda VCDS Owners Map (click me)

 

Careful use of a (improvised) stethoscope device might confirm better the location of the noise (beauty cover off engine).