????Strange noise coming from dash????

Let me startout by saying thank you for any help.  I have only owned the car for about 6 months. Since the wheather has gotten a little bit chilly around here (below 40 ) i have noticed that when i go out and start my STS ( model year 1999) that a strange noise comes from the dash.  The noise is coming from the lower left quadrant of the dash, quadrant starting under the steering wheel going up to wood trim and the all the way to the left.  It seems to be coming from between the light beam controls and the steering wheel.  I have also noticed it makes the noise even if the engine is not turned on.  It never did this before the wheather got cold.  It gets to be really noisy if the defrost is turned on but after a while the noise dies down. 
 
What the hell is this very annoying noise?  if it is something that is not harmful i can live with it, but i can not simply ignore it until i know so.  It has been my expierence that things, especially cars, make wierd noises for a reason.  The noise sounds like a pretty small electrical or mechanical motor running.
 
Can anyone help?
 
thanks,
 
TS

Now that i think about the noise it kind of sounds like a really small air compressor running.  Was speaking with a tech and i think he thought i was talking about the rear deck of the vehicle as he thought it was the CVRSS relay.  As far as i understand the active suspension and motor are located in the rear of the vehicle, correct?  The front of the vehicle is passive suspension correct?
 
TS 

Most likely hvac asperator. It is located behind small vent in dash near steering column . It has little fan motor made to it. Little motor when bad.