Buzz Around Steering Column (I Think)

[ErikB]

At freeway speeds when changing lanes over "Bots Dots" or on rough road surfaces like compress gravel/oil or course asphalt I get a buzz from the area around my steering column / instrument panel.

I've had the under-dash/knee bolster area apart on two occasions looking for it, but to no avail. Anyone had this issue and solved it?

[maci4life]

lets do some trouble shooting.

is the buzz felt in the steering wheel??
can you describe the buzz?? metallic sound ( something loose)
does it only happen when driving ( or is a rev range, even at idle )

can't think of anything else.

[ErikB]

I can't say that I feel it in the steering wheel. What I can say is that I feel the inputs through the steering wheel that create the noise.

If I had to guess the sound, I'd say hard plastic against hard plastic.


Only when driving at speed and over short low-impact bumps (like freeway dots) or on rough road serfaces (not bumpy but course).

I've messed around with the intrument cluster and with the wiring under the dash on the driver's side. I'm afraid to try and take the steering column cover off for fear I'll mess something up.

[maci4life]

hmm tough one.

if you press against the instrument panel while driving does the buzzing go away??

[540i/6 in Tx.]

I found the sound that you have to come from the button on the end of the turn signal arm. While I was driving one day I heard a noise like you described. I touched the button on the end to check my computer for fuel consumption and the noise stopped. The next time the noise started I touched the button again and that was it.
Hope this helps.

[HandJuice]

I think I may have noticed this as well. If so, mine almost sounds like a vacuum buzz when I throttle up.