Ever Heard A Clicking Noise From Inside Dash? - BMW Forum

bimmerfan620 · 02-14-2005, 11:43 AM

Ok, this just happened to me for the first time this morning. I was pulling into a spot in the parking lot on campus with my lights on and all of a sudden I start getting this clicking noise from inside the dash on the drivers side. I turned the lights off and it goes away. I turn the lights on and it is back. Now I had my lights on in my car on the way home and it didn't do it. Sounds to me like possibly the clockspring in my steering column? but I might be wrong. Have any of you guys had this problem before?

Aaron

RedlinedRU · 02-14-2005, 12:22 PM

does it click every 7 seconds or so.......mine does that.....no idea what it is, but its when i have my heat on

Delmarco · 02-14-2005, 03:21 PM

Okay...Since my recent drama, I'm like now the fuse, relay, battery, and headlights expert...It sounds like your fuses for those light may need replacing or upgrading to higher amps, also you battery could be close to being discharged and not sending enough power thru your car.
Also did you recently upgrade one or more of your electrical components (headlights, sound systems, speakers, etc...) you may need to check and upgrade fuses to handle the increased consumption.

But the clicking can only be the fuses, alternator, or fuse module relay (also check for loose wiring under your hood) check tose areas....

and check your battery...

fushuman · 02-14-2005, 05:33 PM

Well, i have actually a knocking sound (very mild) which sounds inside the car (can't hear it on the outside w/ open hood) it doesn't change the beat when acc. but if i rev it up to 3000rpm it goes away.
any clues??
oil level is fine. could it be knock sensor??

Eraj · 02-14-2005, 06:40 PM

I had a similar noise from under the dash/almost under the hood area. It was a single "tick" at around 7-10 second intervals, not very loud, almost muffled. Now don't laugh, the first time it happened about 6 months ago, I had just filled the antifreeze a little too much, and eventually it dissapeared after a while. It happened again last week, and I checked the antifreeze......lo.........it was an inch above "KALT". Removed some and it's gone again!!!!

Delmarco · 02-14-2005, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eraj@Feb 14 2005, 06:40 PM
I had a similar noise from under the dash/almost under the hood area. It was a single "tick" at around 7-10 second intervals, not very loud, almost muffled. Now don't laugh, the first time it happened about 6 months ago, I had just filled the antifreeze a little too much, and eventually it dissapeared after a while. It happened again last week, and I checked the antifreeze......lo.........it was an inch above "KALT". Removed some and it's gone again!!!!

[snapback]291945[/snapback]

I had this sound during my last roadtrip to DC (4 hours from home) ...it was like 15 degrees and I was driving with the heat on full blast...my engine temp was in the middle of cold and warm...and when I stepped on the gas the same clicking from behind the AC came on then stopped when I took my foot of the gas...

I figured it had to do with the heat. So I changed my microfilter which is located behind the dash, ad gets extremely dirty and clogged up after 10,000 miles) and now my cabin is quiet again.

bimmerfan620 · 02-15-2005, 04:18 PM

I don't think any of those are my problems. It's definitely a strange thing to have happened only once to the car. The only thing I could connect it to would be a fuse relay or other electrical related part.

polaris448 · 02-16-2005, 06:00 PM

I can sort of answer one of your questions. The clicking with the heat on is the water control valve. This directs how much coolant goes to the heater core. I have found out the stupid way, that this part is not bad when it clicks but rather you may need to fill your coolant a little. I don't know about everyone else's 318IS but mine "uses up" coolant every so often. I'd say every 5000-7000mls, I have to add more and the clicking is the way that I know that I need more. If ypu think air could have made its way into the system just bleed it with the FRAGILE PLASTIC screw next to the coolant reservoir. Oh and by the way if you do by chance feel so inclined to change this valve it is a pain to do and the part is around $180. So I would suggest the first before the second.

cwc2128 · 03-04-2005, 03:23 PM

Dont worry guys its the vacum canister bolted to the wing under the air box it releases gases built up every now and then when the cart needs to its normall.