chirping noise in dash, PLEASE HELP - BMW Forum

SPEEEDE · 06-08-2007, 12:54 PM

I've seen alot of threads concerning chirping noises but maybe mine is different. Its a definite chirping noise (like a small family of birds) coming from drivers side dash area. I hear it nearly every startup and it lasts for 30 seconds to a few minutes. Once its off, its off and will start again until next startup. I suspect some type of vacumme leak maybe? Can be heard from back seat even with radio on at good volume.

Blower motor, I can't say because I don't even need to turn on the engine. I just move key to accessories and will start. It affects absolutely nothing as far as I can tell. Heater and AC work fine, fan works fine, no problems. So what comes on that early before even the engine? Dealer is clueless and I'm ready to sell car although prospective buyers will wonder what the noise is also. I've heard of a secondary blower fan but the dealer says he has never heard of that either or my car doesnt have one.

Any ideas, no other forums or boards has been able to help or even respond.

Any help would be appreciated.

Dirty_Tool · 06-09-2007, 10:33 PM

the engine does not need to be running for the blower motor to run. next time it makes the noise reach down and turn the fan speed to off. see if the noise goes away. if it goes away then obviously you have a bad blower motor. if it doesnt then you may have a noisy stepper motor for 1 of the dash flaps.

SPEEEDE · 06-11-2007, 10:09 AM

Thanks for that, adjusting the fan does nothing to quell the noise. Now I've heard some people talk about a dash vent motor or stepper motor as you called it. I talked to the service manager at BMW and he said, as well as at least one other advisor, that there is nothing like individual vent motors in my car.

That one was of my first suspicians since it seems like the noise is coming from right beyond the vent. If I look for stepper motors on the net would I find something or is there an official part name.

Also would you think it might be fairly self installable or require some expertise to diagnose which vent and the change out.

Now, if only those things spit out a fault code...

zibby · 06-12-2007, 01:07 AM

Ask about actuators, which are located behind of each fresh air grill.It controls flaps inside air ducts(open them and close).It cost about $70.00, when this part starts failing ,makes funny noises.