Buzzing Whirring Noise After Unlock

gloster · 09-12-2007, 07:33 AM

When I unlock my car and I am standing close enough (or actually sitting in the car) I can hear a buzzing/whirring noise. It sounds like it could be the CD loading mechanism or perhaps the mirrors adjusting to my settings. It lasts for about 10-15 seconds.

But I don't see the mirrors adjusting. I'm the only one who ever drives the car and I don't think they need to re-adjust to my key. I also don't know why the CD loading mechanism would be cycling.

Has anyone else noticed this sound? Anyone have any theories or answers on the source?

canucklion · 09-12-2007, 07:42 AM

it's normal

retlod · 09-12-2007, 07:45 AM

Yep. Mine does it, too. I have no idea what it is, but it doesn't seem to cause any problems. Maybe a little CPU fan somewhere?

gloster · 09-12-2007, 08:31 AM

I have also assumed it's normal. That doesn't change my interest in figuring out the source.

musv · 09-12-2007, 08:35 AM

i don't have my e90 yet, (production completion date was yesterday), so I have never heard the noise. But my old jetta would do that sometimes. I was told that it was the fuel pump priming. Not sure if it is the same thing, but it's possible.

retlod · 09-12-2007, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musv

I was told that it was the fuel pump priming.

So we should worry when we DON'T hear it.

Bimmerista · 09-12-2007, 09:59 AM

I normally don't do this but

Is your friend. This issue has been discussed in great deatail already and one post even gives one an exact sequencing of what is occuring

who's ur daddy? · 09-12-2007, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmerista

I normally don't do this but

Is your friend. This issue has been discussed in great deatail already and one post even gives one an exact sequencing of what is occuring

hey, give us some hints...

retlod · 09-12-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by who's ur daddy?

hey, give us some hints...

Search for "whirring" and you'll find the answers you seek.

gloster · 09-12-2007, 11:08 AM

I'll admit; it didn't occur to me that this particular issue had been covered. Certainly would not have thought of using the search term "whirring". Thanks, retlod.

gloster · 09-12-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retlod

Search for "whirring" and you'll find the answers you seek.

OK, I looked through every thread returned from a "whirring" search that seemed related. I didn't find anything that looked definitive.

Here are the theories I found:

1) the DVD nav system spinning up (impossible: I don't have one)

2) the electric steering wheel lock unlocking

3) the ventilation system initializing

4) aliens

Does anyone have any evidence for the definitive answer?

By the way, some of the threads talked about noises during running and/or after shut off. But many talked specifically about the sound I mean: the whirring noise made when you first unlock the car.

Kruz · 09-12-2007, 11:19 AM

5. Gerbils humping

Mike UK · 09-12-2007, 11:20 AM

There is a hamster on a spinny wheel priming the fuel going into your engine. The whirring noise is the wheel turning very very fast. Prob needs to be oiled

Bimmerista · 09-12-2007, 11:20 AM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=start+noise

Would you now like someone to chew your lunch for you today

(just ribbing you)

retlod · 09-12-2007, 11:22 AM

Did you try this thread? Lots of people seem to think it's the fuel pump priming.

gloster · 09-12-2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmerista

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=start+noise

Would you now like someone to chew your lunch for you today

(just ribbing you)

I think I do need you to chew for me. When I follow your link, I get the "sound at startup question". The OP mentions a metallic sound at startup that goes away a minute after warm up. Folks point him to the fuel pump and the left exhaust pipe closing. The noise I'm talking about is before you start the car. It is at unlock.

gloster · 09-12-2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retlod

Did you try this thread? Lots of people seem to think it's the fuel pump priming.

Yep, I read that thread. That's where I got the steering wheel unlocking and the DVD nav theories. I didn't see anyone point to any source of knowledge.

So far, I"m going with the steering wheel unlocking theory, but I have a very low level of confidence in this.

achien · 09-12-2007, 12:52 PM

It's the aliens inside your car...

Quote:

Originally Posted by gloster

When I unlock my car and I am standing close enough (or actually sitting in the car) I can hear a buzzing/whirring noise. It sounds like it could be the CD loading mechanism or perhaps the mirrors adjusting to my settings. It lasts for about 10-15 seconds.

But I don't see the mirrors adjusting. I'm the only one who ever drives the car and I don't think they need to re-adjust to my key. I also don't know why the CD loading mechanism would be cycling.

Has anyone else noticed this sound? Anyone have any theories or answers on the source?

retlod · 09-12-2007, 02:01 PM

Personally, I think it sounds like a little cpu cooling fan. That would make sense as there's a lot of stuff that the car has to "prepare for" once someone opens the door. Plus it keeps going. A steering wheel lock or fuel pump prime would be associated with a fixed-time whirr. Maybe we'll never know.

gloster · 09-12-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retlod

Personally, I think it sounds like a little cpu cooling fan. That would make sense as there's a lot of stuff that the car has to "prepare for" once someone opens the door. Plus it keeps going. A steering wheel lock or fuel pump prime would be associated with a fixed-time whirr. Maybe we'll never know.

My whirring noise stops after 10-15 seconds.

Bimmerista · 09-12-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gloster

My whirring noise stops after 10-15 seconds.

Try clicking on the link posted within my link (by one of the respondents to that post).

toofasttooslow · 09-12-2007, 02:50 PM

It's the low pressure fuel pump starting it's pre ignition diagnostic tests.

09-12-2007, 07:33 AM	#1
gloster Captain 15 Rep 649 Posts Drives: 335i MT, sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0)	Buzzing Whirring Noise After Unlock When I unlock my car and I am standing close enough (or actually sitting in the car) I can hear a buzzing/whirring noise. It sounds like it could be the CD loading mechanism or perhaps the mirrors adjusting to my settings. It lasts for about 10-15 seconds. But I don't see the mirrors adjusting. I'm the only one who ever drives the car and I don't think they need to re-adjust to my key. I also don't know why the CD loading mechanism would be cycling. Has anyone else noticed this sound? Anyone have any theories or answers on the source?
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09-12-2007, 07:42 AM	#2
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	it's normal __________________
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09-12-2007, 07:45 AM	#3
retlod Private First Class 1 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Omaha, NE iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E90 335i [0.00]	Yep. Mine does it, too. I have no idea what it is, but it doesn't seem to cause any problems. Maybe a little CPU fan somewhere? __________________ 2007 E90 335i Black Sapphire \| Black Leather \| Aluminum 6MT \| ZPP \| ZSP \| CA \| Heated Seats \| 6FL 35% Tint \| Golf Tee
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09-12-2007, 08:31 AM	#4
gloster Captain 15 Rep 649 Posts Drives: 335i MT, sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0)	I have also assumed it's normal. That doesn't change my interest in figuring out the source.
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09-12-2007, 08:35 AM	#5
musv Private 0 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 2008 e90 335i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	i don't have my e90 yet, (production completion date was yesterday), so I have never heard the noise. But my old jetta would do that sometimes. I was told that it was the fuel pump priming. Not sure if it is the same thing, but it's possible.
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09-12-2007, 09:59 AM	#7
Bimmerista Major General 83 Rep 5,732 Posts Drives: superstock Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada iTrader: (0)	I normally don't do this but Is your friend. This issue has been discussed in great deatail already and one post even gives one an exact sequencing of what is occuring __________________ __________________________ 2016 435 xdrive GC white on black leather interior, Msport1, Msport2, premium package 2015 Lincoln MKX, silver on brown leather, premium package - that's right! Techno-Groovy baby
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09-12-2007, 11:08 AM	#10
gloster Captain 15 Rep 649 Posts Drives: 335i MT, sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0)	I'll admit; it didn't occur to me that this particular issue had been covered. Certainly would not have thought of using the search term "whirring". Thanks, retlod.
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09-12-2007, 11:19 AM	#12
Kruz Major 22 Rep 1,083 Posts Drives: 2021 M2C 6MT Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (4) Garage List My garage spot [0.00] 07/07 BMW 335xi [8.50] 2001 Honda CBR600F4i [0.00] 2007 Husqvarna SM610 [0.00] 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71 [0.00] 2005 Harley Davidso ... [0.00] 2007.9 335xi [6.50]	5. Gerbils humping __________________ 2021 BMW M2 Competition, BSM, Exec Pkg, 6MT GONE:07/07 E90 335xi SG Black Dakota\|Alum\|ZSP\|2AB\|ZPP\|ZCW\|Nav\|CA\|6FL\|PDC\| Blacklines\|3M Summers: 235/40/18 265/35/18 Hankook Ventus V12 on VMR 701s A/S: 225/40/18 255/35/18 Pirelli PZero Nero M+S on OEM 162s
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09-12-2007, 11:20 AM	#13
Mike UK Private First Class 7 Rep 196 Posts Drives: Le mans Blau e92 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	There is a hamster on a spinny wheel priming the fuel going into your engine. The whirring noise is the wheel turning very very fast. Prob needs to be oiled
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09-12-2007, 11:22 AM	#15
retlod Private First Class 1 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Omaha, NE iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E90 335i [0.00]	Did you try this thread? Lots of people seem to think it's the fuel pump priming. __________________ 2007 E90 335i Black Sapphire \| Black Leather \| Aluminum 6MT \| ZPP \| ZSP \| CA \| Heated Seats \| 6FL 35% Tint \| Golf Tee
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09-12-2007, 02:01 PM	#19
retlod Private First Class 1 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Omaha, NE iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E90 335i [0.00]	Personally, I think it sounds like a little cpu cooling fan. That would make sense as there's a lot of stuff that the car has to "prepare for" once someone opens the door. Plus it keeps going. A steering wheel lock or fuel pump prime would be associated with a fixed-time whirr. Maybe we'll never know. __________________ 2007 E90 335i Black Sapphire \| Black Leather \| Aluminum 6MT \| ZPP \| ZSP \| CA \| Heated Seats \| 6FL 35% Tint \| Golf Tee
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09-12-2007, 02:50 PM	#22
toofasttooslow Galactic Emperor 75 Rep 801 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: WA iTrader: (3)	It's the low pressure fuel pump starting it's pre ignition diagnostic tests.
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