Strange Sounds?

Zim Zimmer · 07-19-2006, 12:42 PM

Has anyone ever heard strange sounds coming from behind their dashboards? This usually happens after I've turned off the engine and removed the FOB from the slot. If I remain in the car, within 5 minutes I hear a mechanical sound behind the steering wheel. Almost sounds like something sliding. Maybe it's the steering wheel lock? About 1-2 minutes after that I hear what sounds like gremlins running behind the dashboard.

The car runs great...no problems at all so far. Just wonder what those sounds are? I hope the car isn't possessed.

nhhiep · 07-19-2006, 01:04 PM

i hear the same thing, it sounds like something unlock/lock. same if you stand at the back and near the trunk area, you will hear the same sound. I am guessing the trunk locks.

Zim Zimmer · 07-19-2006, 01:13 PM

That's true...I also hear a sound that sounds like a small electrical motor when I standing near the car. The sound is brief but I hear it long after the engine has been off. I don't have CA.

Artz 330 · 07-19-2006, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zim Zimmer

That's true...I also hear a sound that sounds like a small electrical motor when I standing near the car. The sound is brief but I hear it long after the engine has been off. I don't have CA.

engine cooling fan

Brien Crotty · 07-19-2006, 01:39 PM

I know exactly the sound you are talking about. It's not the constant whirring of a fan (which I have sometimes heard after mine stops running, but a sliding type noise that is very brief. I, too, guessed that it is probably the steering wheel lock.

I have heard what sounds like a fan running near the rear of the car after a particularly long drive. Is there a cooling fan for the brakes?

Zim Zimmer · 07-19-2006, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artz 330

engine cooling fan

The sound is so brief that an engine fan woundn't be effective in such a short period of time.

Bimmerista · 07-19-2006, 01:55 PM

It's the flux capacitor shut-off valve.

Mr. BMW · 07-19-2006, 01:58 PM

I think it is something to do with the climate control system. Something about the vents closing or blower motor, stepper motor or something like that. I remember people asking about this with the E46. I have not heard anything in the E90. Maybe I'll sit in my car later after I shut it off and see if I can hear it..

Boomarang1981 · 07-19-2006, 02:38 PM

I have the same sound on my car and wondered first what it was. I asked my dealer and they told me there are a lot of buyers who ask the same question...

It is the exhaust system which is cooling down...There is some kind of wax that Bmw put on the exhaust during Production...that's the reason for that noise...

Nothing to worry about....

ex-poster · 07-19-2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brien Crotty

I have heard what sounds like a fan running near the rear of the car after a particularly long drive. Is there a cooling fan for the brakes?

That's the fan on your sound system amp in your trunk.

Brien Crotty · 07-19-2006, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithrh

That's the fan on your sound system amp in your trunk.

That makes sense. I do still wonder what the sound is up front that the original poster described. My best guess is the steering wheel lock or something to do with climate control. I'll pay a bit closer attention next time I'm out and about.

Thanks,

Brien

ex-poster · 07-19-2006, 10:29 PM

Many have surmised that it's the fuel pump, starting up for a second to increase the fuel pressure. I haven't seen this confirmed or refuted.

KevinC · 07-19-2006, 10:39 PM

It's the steering column lock... 100%.

Artz 330 · 07-21-2006, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zim Zimmer

The sound is so brief that an engine fan woundn't be effective in such a short period of time.

I c, just a guess, cause my fan says on for like 2-3 min but its kinda loud.

Joe Bimmer · 07-21-2006, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

It's the steering column lock... 100%.

I wouldn't be so sure...if I went into my garage right now, lock and unlocked the car, and then sat it in for 3-5 minutes...the hamsters would start running around in the dash.

The steering wheel shouldn't unlock unless I click in the fob....but the noises will still come-and-go. Very strange, and must be something with the air vents in the dash. I notice that if you have the Recirculation on, and you turn off the car, it will be OFF when you start up. Might it have something to do with it...?

E90Fleet · 07-21-2006, 04:43 PM

Sounds are normal behind the dash after shutdown, even my E36 makes them

Its caused by various systems, including relays or aircon parts moving

It takes 15min or more before the E90 goes fully "to sleep"

Zim Zimmer · 07-24-2006, 02:32 PM

Thank you all for the feedback.

ezatnova · 04-12-2007, 03:56 PM

Don't mean to revive this from the dead, but I was searching for info and found this thread useful, so I'll add to it.

From page 41 of the manual
"The electric steering wheel lock disengages audibly."
"The electric steering wheel lock engages audibly."

msimon18 · 04-12-2007, 04:19 PM

My 330cic has a similar issue but it is the DVD player for the NAv system that is mounted in the trunk that makes the noise.

Gort · 04-12-2007, 04:38 PM

My 335 coupe appears to have shipped without hamsters. I hear no such sounds. I'm going with it being the flux capacitor.

Revlis · 04-12-2007, 05:33 PM

Hell What about the Bizarre Sewing Machine Symphony from under the hood?

I got the Tick Tick Tick, that's "Normal" then I got the Hyper-drive shutdown whine, followed by electric water pump hum. Then of course as you accelerate the back beat to the wonderful exhaust is this cacophony of rattles, farts, and just so thweets. WTF? Hard to identify let explain most of these noises.

I think coming from a rotary engine with 3 moving parts is kinda messing with me too.

Interior thus far is pretty quiet. Though I do get the Clunky Clunk Thwooomp noise as the Automatic climate control does it's thing.

KevinC · 04-12-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gort

My 335 coupe appears to have shipped without hamsters. I hear no such sounds. I'm going with it being the flux capacitor.

Klaatu barada nikto!

07-19-2006, 12:42 PM	#1
Zim Zimmer New Member 1 Rep 15 Posts Drives: Alpine White 330i Join Date: May 2006 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	Strange Sounds? Has anyone ever heard strange sounds coming from behind their dashboards? This usually happens after I've turned off the engine and removed the FOB from the slot. If I remain in the car, within 5 minutes I hear a mechanical sound behind the steering wheel. Almost sounds like something sliding. Maybe it's the steering wheel lock? About 1-2 minutes after that I hear what sounds like gremlins running behind the dashboard. The car runs great...no problems at all so far. Just wonder what those sounds are? I hope the car isn't possessed.
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07-19-2006, 01:04 PM	#2
nhhiep Captain 88 Rep 863 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	i hear the same thing, it sounds like something unlock/lock. same if you stand at the back and near the trunk area, you will hear the same sound. I am guessing the trunk locks.
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07-19-2006, 01:13 PM	#3
Zim Zimmer New Member 1 Rep 15 Posts Drives: Alpine White 330i Join Date: May 2006 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	That's true...I also hear a sound that sounds like a small electrical motor when I standing near the car. The sound is brief but I hear it long after the engine has been off. I don't have CA.
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07-19-2006, 01:39 PM	#5
Brien Crotty Enlisted Member 0 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2009 335i with xDrive Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	I know exactly the sound you are talking about. It's not the constant whirring of a fan (which I have sometimes heard after mine stops running, but a sliding type noise that is very brief. I, too, guessed that it is probably the steering wheel lock. I have heard what sounds like a fan running near the rear of the car after a particularly long drive. Is there a cooling fan for the brakes?
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07-19-2006, 01:55 PM	#7
Bimmerista Major General 82 Rep 5,732 Posts Drives: superstock Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada iTrader: (0)	It's the flux capacitor shut-off valve.
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07-19-2006, 01:58 PM	#8
Mr. BMW Major 262 Rep 1,389 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 M3 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00] 2018 Jeep Grand Che ... [0.00]	I think it is something to do with the climate control system. Something about the vents closing or blower motor, stepper motor or something like that. I remember people asking about this with the E46. I have not heard anything in the E90. Maybe I'll sit in my car later after I shut it off and see if I can hear it.. __________________ 12 M3 Interlagos Blue/Black 18 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Yeah, it's got a HEMI) 21 X3 Silver/Black(Wife's) 06 330i Monaco Blue/Black (retired) 02 X5 3.0 Topaz Blue/Black (retired)
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07-19-2006, 02:38 PM	#9
Boomarang1981 Waiting For My Baby 6 Rep 27 Posts Drives: e90 318i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vıenna iTrader: (0)	I have the same sound on my car and wondered first what it was. I asked my dealer and they told me there are a lot of buyers who ask the same question... It is the exhaust system which is cooling down...There is some kind of wax that Bmw put on the exhaust during Production...that's the reason for that noise... Nothing to worry about....
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07-19-2006, 10:29 PM	#12
ex-poster Lieutenant 19 Rep 482 Posts Drives: 2000 328, 2006 330 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (0)	Many have surmised that it's the fuel pump, starting up for a second to increase the fuel pressure. I haven't seen this confirmed or refuted.
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07-19-2006, 10:39 PM	#13
KevinC your average JAMF 3101 Rep 4,094 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	It's the steering column lock... 100%. __________________ '21 M2 Comp '19 Golf R
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07-21-2006, 04:43 PM	#16
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Sounds are normal behind the dash after shutdown, even my E36 makes them Its caused by various systems, including relays or aircon parts moving It takes 15min or more before the E90 goes fully "to sleep" __________________ BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
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07-24-2006, 02:32 PM	#17
Zim Zimmer New Member 1 Rep 15 Posts Drives: Alpine White 330i Join Date: May 2006 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	Thank you all for the feedback.
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04-12-2007, 03:56 PM	#18
ezatnova Colonel 97 Rep 2,188 Posts Drives: C63 AMG Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Chester, PA iTrader: (5)	Don't mean to revive this from the dead, but I was searching for info and found this thread useful, so I'll add to it. From page 41 of the manual "The electric steering wheel lock disengages audibly." "The electric steering wheel lock engages audibly."
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04-12-2007, 04:19 PM	#19
msimon18 Retired 19 Rep 868 Posts Drives: Z4 s30i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The Villages, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1965 Isetta 300 [0.00] 2004 1/5 Scale M3 GTR [10.00]	My 330cic has a similar issue but it is the DVD player for the NAv system that is mounted in the trunk that makes the noise. __________________ M3 GTR - 1/5 scale - 4.2 HP w/ Collari hydraulic brakes - would you believe ~80 MPH on straightaway !!
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04-12-2007, 04:38 PM	#20
Gort Klaatu Barada Nikto 30 Rep 1,169 Posts Drives: 2017 X3-35i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: A Bipolar Planet iTrader: (0)	My 335 coupe appears to have shipped without hamsters. I hear no such sounds. I'm going with it being the flux capacitor.
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04-12-2007, 05:33 PM	#21
Revlis Now With 33% MORE Sarcasm Free! 157 Rep 3,462 Posts Drives: M4 i3 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	Hell What about the Bizarre Sewing Machine Symphony from under the hood? I got the Tick Tick Tick, that's "Normal" then I got the Hyper-drive shutdown whine, followed by electric water pump hum. Then of course as you accelerate the back beat to the wonderful exhaust is this cacophony of rattles, farts, and just so thweets. WTF? Hard to identify let explain most of these noises. I think coming from a rotary engine with 3 moving parts is kinda messing with me too. Interior thus far is pretty quiet. Though I do get the Clunky Clunk Thwooomp noise as the Automatic climate control does it's thing. __________________ A BMW is Just a Car, it doesn't make you smart, handsome, clever, better, cool, or wealthy.
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