New Noise - "Whine" - on 95 525 start up

[L.A. Bob]

I'm so much of a newbie that I don't even know what part I'm looking at ... when I turn the key about to start my 1995 525 there's a noise coming from the other side of the engine wall from the steering wheel - just inboard of the fuse box. The unit that's whining has several hoses coming out of it - sounds like a pump about to blow its impeller blades all over the driveway ...

The unit is making a horrible whining noise - which doesn't vary with RPMs when I do start the motor, nor with heater fan speed, nor AC on/off. This just started ...

One, what is it? And two, how big a deal is it, can I drive the car?

Thanks - and be gentle, I admit right up front I'm a real newbie ... just can't find "that thingie" on a photo or diagram anywhere ...

[Jeron]

I initial guess is Idle Control Valve which can make a buzzing noise, but I think it is under the intake on your car and you shouldn't be able to see it easily.

Its #6 here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HD53&mospid=47404&btnr=13_0381&hg=13&fg=15

See if you can the part in those diagrams.

[DCR]

Take a photo and post it up here.

[L.A. Bob]

I found a parts blowup which identifies the unit that's whining as the Additional Water Pump in the Heating/AC Systems images. The local dealer service guys say I can safely drive it there - apparently there may be other issues upstream or downstream, it's rarely just the pump itself ... dunno - I'll post results when I get the car back. Thanks!