I just moved up north, where it is in the high 30's, and now whenever i start my car, it makes a bad whining noise, accompanied by grinding when I turn the steering wheel. I drove it around for about 20 minutes yesterday, and it didn't go away. It is a 2000 A6 Quattro 4.2L, 94000 miles.
3 Answers
Not so sure about the grinding when you turn, but the whirring noise is most likely your idle speed control motor reacting to the extremely cold temperatures. They are known to whine in cold temps.
bobs_yer_uncle answered 12 years ago
I like the answer above, but don't rule out power steering pump either...
ya i was going to say its probably your power steering motor