[moorlander]

Can anyone identify this metallic "static" sound at startup? I have a 2011 n55.

Thanks!

[mike-y]

almost sounds like the starter isn't disengaging properly

[moorlander]

Thanks Mikey! Anyone else ever heard this before and have any theories?

[Monster900]

Based on the age of the car it should be still under warranty, my advice to you is just take it to the dealer and don't bother with guessing game.

[Titanium3Series]

i would put money on the starter going out. Give it a year or 2 and it will completely crap out on you.....

[Amini77]

Has to be the starter. Off to the dealer!!

[Ghiurau27]

Definitely sounds like a starter not disengaging quick enough

[Thud]

Originally Posted by mike-y

almost sounds like the starter isn't disengaging properly

Yep, that would be my guess too.


I had an old (1993) corvette that did this. It led to an interesting problem one day. The starter solenoid is also the switch for the starter motor itself (at least on the vette, not sure about the bmw) so when the starter engages, the current flows through the motor.

For a couple weeks it made a noise similar to yours, but then one morning it didn't disengage at all. So the motor started, and the starter sounded like a jet engine because the motor at idle spins the starter much faster than the starter was designed to run. When I turned the ignition off and removed the key, the motor stopped firing but the starter just kept cranking and cranking and cranking the engine-- even without the key! When the solenoid is in the "start" position, current flowed into the motor regardless of the key.

So I had to hurry and disconnect the battery while the starter kept cranking and cranking, before it burned out (and a C4 corvette battery isn't exactly easy to get to).

Now, you might think that my next step was to call a tow truck and get it into a shop, but I did what any sensible 20-something with basic tools would do; crawl underneath the car and give the starter a few good whacks with a hammer. Started up fine after that.

Then for about the next 2 weeks I just kept a hammer in the car for every time I started it.

When I finally got it up on a friend's lift to install the new starter, the old one was banged up, dimpled like a golf ball.


NOTE: you probably shouldn't use my technique on a new BMW. In fact, never take my advice. I once fixed a coolant leak in an old Audi using a broken drum stick.

[moorlander]

Originally Posted by Monster900

Based on the age of the car it should be still under warranty, my advice to you is just take it to the dealer and don't bother with guessing game.

Too true. I posted the video because I was curious and always like to go into a meeting educated and prepared.

Thank you everyone for the responses. I'm going in for a 30k mile service this month anyway so I'll be sure to report back in case anyone else has this issue.

[moorlander]

Thanks for the help everyone. I went in for my 30k mile check and they replaced the starter and fuel pump.

[Dozhdbog]

Oh great. My car is making the exact same noise on cold startups.

[moorlander]

warrantee baby

[Dozhdbog]

Did yours do it whenever you started the car, or only on cold starts?

[moorlander]

mostly cold starts from what I remember

[914kid]

A few months ago my car was doing this same noise, after a while it stopped doing this. I guess I should still get it checked out. I might as well just use your video considering its almost the same car.