What the heck is this strange sound...

[crestima]

My Emira is a V6 manual with just over 2k miles and, for the very first time, I noticed an odd sound when I entered the car, shut the door. I hadn't turn on anything, it was late at night, the car was in the garage so there was complete silence and, all of a sudden, I noticed a repeating recycling faint sound which I could best trace to the center speaker area. Admittedly, I'm not absolutely certain of its actual source. There's nothing malfunctioning electronics-wise or mechanically with my Emira, but I found the recycling sound to be strange, as if it's from some resistor. Comically, that sound reminds me of a sound of my laser jet printer makes occasionally. It seems to last approx. 3 1/2 minutes before it stops for good with a different finale sound. I tested to see if it occurred before and/or after locking the doors to determine if it was related to the car's alarm system setting, but it occurred in both locked and unlocked instances. I've attached a sound track I made at the highest volume on my iPhone set at the top of the center speaker. You may need to listen to it also at your devices highest volume setting.
I'm curious if anyone else has noticed this sound and if anyone has a clue as to its source and purpose.

 

[Kaz]

They all make all sorts of sounds when exiting, entering the car, when you turn it off, etc. Lots of it is just canbus noises and the systems talking to each other. Does yours also have a heartbeat (literally a bass-y heartbeat) that lasts 10-15 minutes? The I4 also has a fan that runs after you turn off the car, then the pump(s) in front area of the car to move oil and coolant around the car to cool it. I also get the Okidata sound, I get what sounds like cell tower interference, I get few other noises too. Also if you upgrade your sound system to aftermarket all these sounds can be amplified too...I can hear the heartbeat outside of my car since it's pumping through a powered sub lol

 

[virtualmacho]

I think I've heard that sound before, but never gave it any thought... the car makes all sorts of noises. Sounds like the ECU is dumping hardcopy logs for future reference by the Lotus techs

 

[geoffbland]

I noticed an odd sound when I entered the car, shut the door. I hadn't turn on anything, it was late at night, the car was in the garage so there was complete silence and, all of a sudden, I noticed a repeating recycling faint sound which I could best trace to the center speaker area.

The clip sounds like a very small owl stuck in the car.
Wait until it's night again then dress up as a sexy female owl and that should tempt it out of the car for you.