Rx330 tweeting sound on startup

[Sherm92780]

Within the past year, my 2006, rx330 started to emit a tweeting sound when the key is inserted in the ignition and it is turned to start the car. It was rare at first, now it is on almost every startup. It lasts until the motor kicks in.  Other than that the car runs very well.   Anyone know what it is?

Edited September 1, 2016 by Sherm92780
More information

[RX400h]

My guess would be the starter.

[Sherm92780]

The tweet happens when I put the key in the ignition, before I hit the starter. It may be when the steering wheel extends. Thanks for your thoughts

[RX400h]

Does it make the same noise when your other key is inserted?

[Sherm92780]

Hi Dave,

On further look, the tweets start when the key is inserted, and stops when the steering column is fully extended.  The sound is gone by the time I turn the starter on.

Edited September 16, 2016 by Sherm92780

[RX400h]

So your steering wheel extends at every startup as per your driver-specific memory setting? Does it do this if a different memory setting is used?

[Sherm92780]

there are two steering wheel memory settings. When I used the second setting, it did tweet once, but not since. Additionally, since the weather got cooler, the original tweeting on the initial setting has become less frequent.

[Sherm92780]

there are two steering wheel memory settings. When I used the second setting, it did tweet once, but not since. Additionally, since the weather got cooler, the original tweeting on the initial setting has become less frequent.

 

now that the weather is cooler the tweeting has disappeared.  Actual source is unknown, but being weather sensitive is understandable.

 

thanks Dave for your questions