# Unusual noise after letting off brake **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [October 1, 2007, 1:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unusual-noise-after-letting-off-brake/5348 "2007-10-01T13:45:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ColonelJohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@ColonelJohn](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ColonelJohn)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 1:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unusual-noise-after-letting-off-brake/5348/1 "2007-10-01T13:45:44Z")
I recently bought a used Audi TT Roadster (only 21K miles). The car looks and runs like new, but when you first start out there is a funny noise after letting off the brake. It sounds a bit like an electric motor reving up for about 3 or 4 seconds. This problem goes away after about 15+ minutes but returns each time I start the car. It doesn’t interfere with the operation of the car, but it is annoying. What could it be??? Thanks, John C. Snider Kissimmee, FL ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 2:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unusual-noise-after-letting-off-brake/5348/2 "2007-10-01T14:30:09Z")
If the vehicle has ABS, it could be the ABS pump running that you hear. Tester ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 2:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unusual-noise-after-letting-off-brake/5348/3 "2007-10-01T14:51:45Z")
You are hearing the ABS system running through its self-test, and you will hear this noise for a few seconds every time that you start the car–usually after driving a few feet. This is a perfect example of information that can be found in your Owner’s Manual, and this would be a good time for you to begin learning about the operation of your new car. However, I am assuming that you meant to say that the noise goes away after 15 seconds, rather than 15 minutes. If the noise persists for more than a few seconds, then this is something that should be checked by a qualified Audi mechanic. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 3:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unusual-noise-after-letting-off-brake/5348/4 "2007-10-01T15:12:03Z")
Sounds like the high-pressure pump for the ABS. It’s normal for the pump to run when you start the car, but I don’t know why it’s running after you step on the brake. ---
**Author:** ![ColonelJohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@ColonelJohn](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ColonelJohn)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 6:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unusual-noise-after-letting-off-brake/5348/5 "2007-10-01T18:06:27Z")
The sound exists for about 3 to 4 seconds after letting off the brake. It is fairly loud. It will continue to do this each time I step on the brake for about the first 15 minutes of driving and then it goes away until I stop the car. It returns once I restart for the same time sequence. I don’t have the owner’s manual yet as the seller didn’t have it available. They are sending me one. I agree, I need to reference the manual to determine if I need to fix something under warranty, or if this is normal for this car. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2007, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unusual-noise-after-letting-off-brake/5348/6 "2007-10-01T21:47:19Z")
I hate to say this, but here goes: You may have found the reason why the former owner decided to get rid of the car. Audi repairs tend to be time-consuming and expensive. These cars are fun to drive, but the words “reliable” and “Audi” are rarely used in the same sentence unless “reliable” is preceded by the word “not”. ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2007, 4:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/unusual-noise-after-letting-off-brake/5348/7 "2007-10-02T04:58:51Z")
After reading the other posts, I think it’s OK. When I reviewed the reliability of Audis recently, I was impressed that they build cars with average reliability, with their cars within a narrow range. They don’t seem to have really bad models or unbelievably great ones. To me: this means that they know how to build cars. They’re not prone to huge differences in manufacturing quality. The guy I knew who brought his to the dealer for needed warranty work was happy and did not have a relapse of problems. Maybe their staff is well trained too.