Help/advice on strange noise! - BMW Forum

jclb · 08-17-2004, 07:49 AM

Hi - first post as only have owned my E36 320i (1992) for two months. Just taken it on a long journey and have noticed it has developed a really odd noise. It comes from behind the dashboard and is a clicking/ticking noise (Sort of sounds like a relay switching really quickly). Has anyone else had this problem, or any ideas on what is causing it. There is no drop in performance and the noise is intermittent - but it doesn't sound good!

Clint_M · 08-17-2004, 07:54 AM

We just had exactly the same problem with our 93 318i, brought it back home on a long(ish) journey, and occasionaly at higher speeds you get a ticking noise from behind the dashboard, sounds like somethings trapped in the air vents ticking or behind the dash or something...

It happens randomly, and the ticking gets quicker as the revs get higher, but it doesnt happen all the time.

We have a problem with the MPG gauge dial, its flaking away a bit and traps the needle sometimes so we thought it may be something to do with that, but were not sure and would really like to solve this problem, not because it affects the performance of the car but it is annoying/worrying.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Clint_M · 08-17-2004, 10:15 AM

im guessing this problem is isolated to myself and above poster then

jclb · 08-17-2004, 12:23 PM

Hopefully someone will be able to answer this or it looks like it is just the two of us with this problem! Forgot to mention have seen other posts referring to a humming noise by the stereo/climate area - dont think this is the same problem as I dont have AC.

Clint_M · 08-18-2004, 04:10 AM

lol i have that problem as well, sounds like its coming from the stereo/climate panel, im guessing now these 2 are linked?

come on guys someone must have some idea !

we now have exactly the same 2 problems so it cant be an isolated problem, but i bet the 2 are linked.

got a link to the humming noise posts at all?

Clint_M · 08-18-2004, 04:14 AM

never mind i found it! says the noise is normal, thats one less worry for me.

This noise hasnt happened this week yet, im starting to think its a wire flapping around inside the air ventilation system or something and as you pick up speed or rev higher, more air blows through thus making what ever is in there flicker around quicker, but id really appreciate a more expert opinion on this, as going down the motorway with my car sounding like its a ticking time-bomb is pretty worrying :/

emanfron · 08-18-2004, 07:39 AM

I have the same intermitent ticking noise from behind my speedo. I am almost certain that is is coming from the spedo cable.

Clint_M · 08-18-2004, 07:47 AM

im gonna be replacing my dials soon, when i take the unit out maybe something will shed light after their replaced, very annoying problem though.

jclb · 08-19-2004, 04:47 AM

Update - just found on another site someone who has had the same problem and has had his car checked out by a mechanic. He has been advised it is a faulty indicator buzzer (noise coming from behind the speedo area). The only way to replace this is to change the instrument cluster as it is built in. The only buzzer I was aware of was for the light warning. Can anyone clarify this as it sounds like an expensive remedy!

Clint_M · 08-19-2004, 04:59 AM

yeah changing the instrument cluster sounds a bit expensive :/

im taking mine out next week sometime when my white dials come, ill take a look then see if anything is loose or rattly, i will keep you posted on anything i find.

in the mean time if anyone knowledgable reads this, S.O.S

jclb · 08-19-2004, 04:22 PM

Yeah please keep me informed - I was going to remove the instrument panel and have a look, but if you are doing it anyway it will save me!

buuhh99 · 08-19-2004, 10:23 PM

got the same thing here let me know what u find

i thought it was somethin close to the firewall in the engine bay but o well

Clint_M · 08-20-2004, 03:48 AM

one thing that leads me to belive it is the speedo cable is that it only happens when i hit 70mph+ up until then it is 100% fine and i never get the noise.

As i said ill be taking the cluster out next week and ill take a look see if anythings loose or needs replacing and ill come back with any results, good or bad.

Good (sort of) to see that its not that much of an isolated problem, so perhaps there is a fix without replacing instrument cluster/cables.

Clint_M · 08-31-2004, 04:24 AM

as promised, i will post my findings.

I changed my dial's yesterday and cant say i found anything that might have caused the intermittent noise, but since taking the cluster out and doing my dials (which was a right pain in the arse, lockwood instructions are shite

) after about 3 hours or so i replaced it all in and (touch wood) have yet to encounter the noise, one thing i will say is one of the needle coils bends slightly when the speedo moves round to about 100mph, but im not sure if thats normal or not.

i also electrical taped the cables together as one (the 3 different cables that go to the RPM,Speedo,fuel gauges etc) incase they were vibrating inside against the cluster.

Ill keep you posted as to whether i encounter the noise or not.

Clint.

jclb · 09-02-2004, 03:48 AM

Thanks yes please keep me informed. I do think it is the indicator buzzer now, as I haven't had the noise for a while but it started again yesterday. But also now when I use my indicators I either get no sound (the lights are working both outside and on my dash) or I get a really horrible buzzing/clicking noise.