whine in steering column

[dacoyote]

my 95 540 has developed a whine in the steering column when it is initially started, and/or when the ignition is in the position just prior to starting the engine.
this whine continues when engine starts and eventually stops, or I can turn the ignition off, and turn it back on and sometimes it will stop, particularly after 2 or 3 minutes.
cold temperatures seem to be prolong the whine.
is this a symptom of something about to fail?

Maybe it wants some cheese for the w(h)ine....

HAHAHAHAHHAHA

darn I am funny....

Do you have an ajustable steering wheel with memory seats?

-Charles

[632 Regal]

when you turn the wheel?

[sgeorge]

no. when simply sitting still or running down the road. when I brake...it does mute the whine but then returns when you let off the brake.
most mornings I simply run a few blocks, turn the car off, and as I turn the key to the number 2 position, I will know whether it is done whining or not.

when you turn the wheel?

[632 Regal]

you need to give us better clues...describe the whine, does it sound like its coming from under the dash or outside the car?

[sgeorge]

it sounds like it is coming from the steering column under the dash. sounds like a pump that is dragging.
not too dissimilar to the whine caused by the power steering pump when low on fluid.
seems to come from the same area as the clunk clunk clunk of the heating system valves that operate when you shut the car down. Perhaps it is associated with that system.

[sgeorge]

YES.

Maybe it wants some cheese for the w(h)ine....

HAHAHAHAHHAHA

darn I am funny....

Do you have an ajustable steering wheel with memory seats?

-Charles