High pitched ringing, not unlike a tube tv; wont go away.

littleyellowm3 · 12-22-2009, 12:36 PM

After taking the car on its first road trip, I started to notice a subtle high pitched electrical ringing or humming. It sounds sort of like a tube tv, or the background noise of a recording when you turn it up really loud. It gets quite loud when my left ear is in a very specific position, close to my normal driving position. I cannot locate where it is coming from, and Ive tried everything to make it stop short of disconnecting the battery. It is still there even when the ignition is off, and I lock the doors. I am wondering if it has something to do with the comfort access. I am going to try and have a friend take the key away and leave me in the car and see if it goes away. Has anyone else noticed this?

SUB-ZERO · 12-22-2009, 12:58 PM

Sounds like a bad ground on an audio system. Did you upgrade the stereo, speakers or add anything that required an electrical ground?

-SZ

AMOCHOSTO · 12-22-2009, 12:59 PM

Never heard that.

PoorMan · 12-22-2009, 01:07 PM

Never heard anything similar as well..Sorry

JCtx · 12-22-2009, 01:15 PM

All cars make a very subtle high-pitched noise when the iDrive starts loading (which happens when you open a door or trunk, or get close to the car with the key), and lasts for a few minutes if you don't start the car. You can hear this by putting your ear on one of the front tweeters, but you shouldn't be able to hear it while sitting in the car. Maybe something is wrong with your car that is making that sound louder. Did it start happening all of a sudden? Or after some mod or event? Just curious.

I had one episode where I was momentarily blasted at full volume for a moment, after lowering the volume at the same time the radio was changing from CD to SAT. My daughter jumped out of the seat, but hasn't happened again. Hasn't happened again, but I don't touch anything while system is 'cycling'.

Good luck with whatever it is, and please keep us posted.

gundamz · 12-22-2009, 03:10 PM

I was just about to post a similar question about the high pitch noise. It's very obvious when its connected to my iPhone via Bluetooth. I can hear the noise getting louder as you push down the accelerator. I believe it's a bad ground somewhere.

Should I bring it into the dealership and have them take a look? I am worry they will do more damage by taking the car apart.

No confidence with dealership's work.

- Gundamz44

Dazzler · 12-23-2009, 10:28 AM

Is it the same sound I mentioned in point 1 of this thread I wonder?

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100951

footie · 12-23-2009, 10:55 AM

Is it only when you go over the speed limit?

If so then it's probably the wife nagging at you to slow down, I have listen to mine for over 19 years and now I don't actually heard to words she speaks, just the annoying ringing in my ears.

TheGooch · 12-27-2009, 02:18 AM

I swear I'm dealing with the exact same issue in my 2009 750li. Goes to the dealer on Monday.

Echo M3 · 12-27-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philritter21

After taking the car on its first road trip, I started to notice a subtle high pitched electrical ringing or humming. It sounds sort of like a tube tv, or the background noise of a recording when you turn it up really loud. It gets quite loud when my left ear is in a very specific position, close to my normal driving position. I cannot locate where it is coming from, and Ive tried everything to make it stop short of disconnecting the battery. It is still there even when the ignition is off, and I lock the doors. I am wondering if it has something to do with the comfort access. I am going to try and have a friend take the key away and leave me in the car and see if it goes away. Has anyone else noticed this?

You know, I think I've had the same sound for the last few days as well. I can't quite pinpoint it either, but I don't think it's coming from the engine bay. Keep us updated if you figure it out. I'm frankly not eager to drive my car to the dealer, especially not on these worthless summer tires in freezing weather.

e46e92love · 12-27-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pman10

You know, I think I've had the same sound for the last few days as well. I can't quite pinpoint it either, but I don't think it's coming from the engine bay. Keep us updated if you figure it out. I'm frankly not eager to drive my car to the dealer, especially not on these worthless summer tires in freezing weather.

So why not buy some snow tires? Or do you just not drive your car in the winter?

Cheers,
e46e92

335i2007 · 12-28-2009, 01:38 AM

I think I have heard the noise you are talking about. I was under the hood one day changing the air filter and out of no where I start hearing the sound you speak of. I did not have the car on or the keys in the ignition. But the sound was very high pitched and stayed on for only about 2 mins and then shut off. The sound was coming from under the hood but with such a high pitch it is hard to tell where from. Asked my dealer about it and they said it may be the valves self adjusting. Very weird if you ask me.

Echo M3 · 12-29-2009, 11:32 PM

Bingo, I just take the train in the winter. The car is just for errands on the weekend and joyriding

Quote:

Originally Posted by e46e92love

So why not buy some snow tires? Or do you just not drive your car in the winter?

Cheers,
e46e92

JCtx · 12-30-2009, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335i2007

Asked my dealer about it and they said it may be the valves self adjusting.

I'd find a different dealer NOW

. Valve lash adjusters work with engine oil pressure.

What you folks are probably hearing is the tranny oil cooler pump; it's electric. But I haven't heard it lately due to cooler temperatures. Amp electric fan also runs with engine off, but it's in the trunk. And iDrive also starts running when you open a door, trunk, or approach the car with the key (CA). All kinds of electrical weird things

.

wer1331 · 12-30-2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philritter21

After taking the car on its first road trip, I started to notice a subtle high pitched electrical ringing or humming. It sounds sort of like a tube tv, or the background noise of a recording when you turn it up really loud. It gets quite loud when my left ear is in a very specific position, close to my normal driving position. I cannot locate where it is coming from, and Ive tried everything to make it stop short of disconnecting the battery. It is still there even when the ignition is off, and I lock the doors. I am wondering if it has something to do with the comfort access. I am going to try and have a friend take the key away and leave me in the car and see if it goes away. Has anyone else noticed this?

It's the amplifier, it happened to my car a few months ago. Bring it to BMW, its under the warranty.

e46e92love · 01-01-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pman10

Bingo, I just take the train in the winter. The car is just for errands on the weekend and joyriding

Nice

Cheers,
e46e92

12-22-2009, 12:36 PM	#1
littleyellowm3 Second Lieutenant 38 Rep 215 Posts Drives: MR E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	High pitched ringing, not unlike a tube tv; wont go away. After taking the car on its first road trip, I started to notice a subtle high pitched electrical ringing or humming. It sounds sort of like a tube tv, or the background noise of a recording when you turn it up really loud. It gets quite loud when my left ear is in a very specific position, close to my normal driving position. I cannot locate where it is coming from, and Ive tried everything to make it stop short of disconnecting the battery. It is still there even when the ignition is off, and I lock the doors. I am wondering if it has something to do with the comfort access. I am going to try and have a friend take the key away and leave me in the car and see if it goes away. Has anyone else noticed this? __________________ Melbourne Red E90 M3 - E39 540i The original user of the animated Bert and Ernie avatar. Except no substitutes.
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12-22-2009, 12:58 PM	#2
SUB-ZERO Lieutenant Colonel 294 Rep 1,709 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 + Spur, DB11, F12, X5 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	Sounds like a bad ground on an audio system. Did you upgrade the stereo, speakers or add anything that required an electrical ground? -SZ
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12-22-2009, 12:59 PM	#3
AMOCHOSTO Major 32 Rep 1,007 Posts Drives: IB BB E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toronto. iTrader: (0)	Never heard that. __________________ E90 Interlagos Blue, (Winter Beater) Bamboo Beige, M-Drive, EDC, PDC, USB 6MT. Mods to date; Curb rash, Scraped front spoiler, Installed RAC Monolite RG63 Silver 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe (ROW)
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12-22-2009, 01:07 PM	#4
PoorMan Hello my name is... 23 Rep 539 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: West Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Never heard anything similar as well..Sorry
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12-22-2009, 01:15 PM	#5
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	All cars make a very subtle high-pitched noise when the iDrive starts loading (which happens when you open a door or trunk, or get close to the car with the key), and lasts for a few minutes if you don't start the car. You can hear this by putting your ear on one of the front tweeters, but you shouldn't be able to hear it while sitting in the car. Maybe something is wrong with your car that is making that sound louder. Did it start happening all of a sudden? Or after some mod or event? Just curious. I had one episode where I was momentarily blasted at full volume for a moment, after lowering the volume at the same time the radio was changing from CD to SAT. My daughter jumped out of the seat, but hasn't happened again. Hasn't happened again, but I don't touch anything while system is 'cycling'. Good luck with whatever it is, and please keep us posted.
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12-22-2009, 03:10 PM	#6
gundamz Private 4 Rep 64 Posts Drives: N/A Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	I was just about to post a similar question about the high pitch noise. It's very obvious when its connected to my iPhone via Bluetooth. I can hear the noise getting louder as you push down the accelerator. I believe it's a bad ground somewhere. Should I bring it into the dealership and have them take a look? I am worry they will do more damage by taking the car apart. No confidence with dealership's work. - Gundamz44
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12-23-2009, 10:28 AM	#7
Dazzler Private First Class 14 Rep 129 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Jerez 2007, 1M on order Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Zealand iTrader: (0)	Is it the same sound I mentioned in point 1 of this thread I wonder? http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100951
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12-23-2009, 10:55 AM	#8
footie Major General 1118 Rep 8,016 Posts Drives: i5M60 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: No where fast iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW i5M60 [0.00] 2022 BMW i4M50 [0.00] 2020 BMW M5 Competi ... [0.00] 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	Is it only when you go over the speed limit? If so then it's probably the wife nagging at you to slow down, I have listen to mine for over 19 years and now I don't actually heard to words she speaks, just the annoying ringing in my ears.
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12-27-2009, 02:18 AM	#9
TheGooch Private 41 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2021 X7 M50i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	I swear I'm dealing with the exact same issue in my 2009 750li. Goes to the dealer on Monday.
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12-28-2009, 01:38 AM	#12
335i2007 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2009, E92, M3, AW Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	I think I have heard the noise you are talking about. I was under the hood one day changing the air filter and out of no where I start hearing the sound you speak of. I did not have the car on or the keys in the ignition. But the sound was very high pitched and stayed on for only about 2 mins and then shut off. The sound was coming from under the hood but with such a high pitch it is hard to tell where from. Asked my dealer about it and they said it may be the valves self adjusting. Very weird if you ask me.
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