SLR camera lens makes noise

[vicars]

Hi, I have a Minolta Dynax 7 camera and automatic lens. However it started to make a whirring noise whenever I turn the camera on or off although it seems to focus OK when taking shots after turning the camera on. I changed the lens and there was no noise so it must be the lens. The lens seems to goto the infinity setting, makes a whirring/grating noise and then returns to a lower setting. Is my lens dying on me and is it cheap to fix or will it possibly harm the camera by leaving it making the noise everytime I tuirn it on or off?

Many thanks.

[Joanne-G]

Have you made sure all the electrical contacts on the lens are clean and dirt free? (also the ones inside the camera) The grinding noise is the focus motor spindle trying to turn the focus on the lens further than it physicaly can.