Hey guys, I know my beloved internet resource site can help me with this problem.
The other morning when I started my car, I heard a horrible whining noise, like a bearing in one of the accessories was going out. I opened the hood, and traced the noise to the two rubber emissions hoses that connect to the exhaust headers. I suppose there is some air pump somewhere making this noise? When I rev the car above 2000rpms, the noise stops. Once it settles back into an idle, it starts whining again. After the car runs for a minute or two, the sound stops completely. It does this every time I start the car, warm or cold. I am a good wrench, but I know nothing about cars because I'm a motorcycle mechanic. Please tell me what the hell is making that noise, and a quick summary of where to find it and how to fix it. The car only has 36,000 original miles, so I'm a little pissed off that's it's whining at me already.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Oh, and I want to keep the car 100% stock because it is super clean and unmolested. So please dont tell me to take all the emissions crap off, because I want to fix it to OEM spec.
THANKS!!!

The car is a 1998 Trans Am WS6 in bone stock trim.

 

yup, it's the AIR pump.

here's a couple links showing all the components of the AIR system. there's tons of pics that will show you where your little noise box is. unfortunately that just a symptom of having the system on the car. it makes a bunch of noise for a couple minutes to help the cats get up to operating temperature and then it shuts off.

you can try replacing it with another one. mine was never as loud as everyone else describes.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-external-engine/328977-exhaust-backfires-running-rich-poor-mileage-come-air-removal.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-external-engine/673299-air-removal-pics.html

 

I think there is a way to tune it out, or at least adjust it so it doesn't kick on using HPTuners or LS1 Edit.

 

you can remove it.. thatll get rid of the noise

 

ditch the ****!


or if you wanna keep it from comming on pule the fuse under the hood AIR PUMP

 

unplug it, and get it tuned out.

 

I have an extra air pump that works perfectly. I needed the hoses for the air pump for my 98 SS but I found the air pump with all the hoses on ebay so I just bought it all. I only took the hoses and I still have the pump connected it and turned on the car and it works great and quiet. Let me know if you want to replace yours.

 

Hey thanks for replys guys. If I pull the AIR PUMP fuse, will it trip the SES light? I'll probably replace the pump anyway, but I dont want to hear the vaccuum cleaner noise every time I start the car. Can it be bypassed with a resistor mod?

 

Ulplug it and use tuning software to keep the code from coming on.

 

i pulled everything plus the fuse. engine bay looks alot cleaner now

 

Pulling the AIR PUMP fuse will disable the air pump, but will throw an SES until you get it turned off - mine throws code P0412.

 

yeah TAINTED is right just pull the fuse out thats what i did and now ita all quiet lol

 

Well I pulled the fuse and the noise is gone. Sweet.
SES light came on right away, and now I cant get it to turn off. I need to go get a scanner tool and clear the code. Any way to bypass the air pump without tripping the light or buying $500 worth of software?
You guys are the best!

 

Sorry if I misled you - clearing the code won't keep it off, it needs to be turned off permanently in the PCM with tuning. Or if you decide to replace the pump the light will go off by itself after fixing the problem (and replacing the fuse) after a few cold starts without a failure.

 

Just get a cheap mail order tune if you wanna delete the SES light permantly.
Since the car is stock get the least expensive Mail order tune possible.

I was gonna say just pull the fuse, but everyone else already beat me to it.

 

is there a freeware available to just set the error codes to "no error reported"?

 

You told everyone to not tell you to disconnect it or remove it but they all did anyway and you listened to them. I bet most of them don't have cats or the stock exhaust system and don't need the pump. Do you still have the stock cats in the stock locations? Sounds like you do. I would replace it with another unit. Your cats will appreciate it and last longer. I'm sure finiding a good used air pump won't be a problem.