Weird electrical problem

lib · 11-12-2008, 11:16 AM

Well, I haven't seen this one before...

I opened the car door this morning and begin to hear a loud, rapid clicking noise coming from the back of the passenger compartment.

If I had to describe the noise the closest thing I can come up with would be the sound you hear when the electric window motors attempt to spin while a window is jammed and grind gears. At first I thought it was the sunroof motor but after no change from opening the sunroof and checking a few other items I realized the sound appeared to be coming from the rear speakers.

I tried every combination of engine on/off and radio on/off but the sound just kept going at a constant volume no matter what I tried. It kept this up all the way to work (nearly driving me insane on the way) and continued to make a racket in the parking lot while I walked into work to call my local BMW service.

I checked it ~45 minutes later and the sound had stopped (thankfully before the battery died) so who knows what, if anything, they'll find when they crack it open.

At this point my only guess is that since I left it out in the rain last night some water may have worked its way into a sensitive area and caused a temporary short but since it wasn't raining very hard and the car was locked the entire time I'm a bit skeptical.

Any thoughts?

kcobra · 11-13-2008, 04:18 PM

Something similar happened to me, but it sounded more like static from the radio but it was coming from somewhere else. I actually thought it was a speaker but had no idea. It went away in 30-45 mins. Maybe it was possessed by a spirit temporarily.

Robert · 11-13-2008, 07:37 PM

Do you have comfort access? It's the due to the fact that you unlocked the door while accidently touching the grooved part of the handle. The car is then trying to lock the door while it's open.

kcobra · 11-14-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert

Do you have comfort access? It's the due to the fact that you unlocked the door while accidently touching the grooved part of the handle. The car is then trying to lock the door while it's open.

Actually I don't think I have comfort access. What is comfort access again?

bozola · 04-09-2012, 02:35 PM

This happened to me for the second time today . Anyone else?

11-12-2008, 11:16 AM	#1
lib Major 141 Rep 1,401 Posts Drives: <This space for rent> Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: ATX iTrader: (0)	Weird electrical problem Well, I haven't seen this one before... I opened the car door this morning and begin to hear a loud, rapid clicking noise coming from the back of the passenger compartment. If I had to describe the noise the closest thing I can come up with would be the sound you hear when the electric window motors attempt to spin while a window is jammed and grind gears. At first I thought it was the sunroof motor but after no change from opening the sunroof and checking a few other items I realized the sound appeared to be coming from the rear speakers. I tried every combination of engine on/off and radio on/off but the sound just kept going at a constant volume no matter what I tried. It kept this up all the way to work (nearly driving me insane on the way) and continued to make a racket in the parking lot while I walked into work to call my local BMW service. I checked it ~45 minutes later and the sound had stopped (thankfully before the battery died) so who knows what, if anything, they'll find when they crack it open. At this point my only guess is that since I left it out in the rain last night some water may have worked its way into a sensitive area and caused a temporary short but since it wasn't raining very hard and the car was locked the entire time I'm a bit skeptical. Any thoughts?
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11-13-2008, 04:18 PM	#2
kcobra Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 284 Posts Drives: 135i M package Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Montreal / Miami iTrader: (0)	Something similar happened to me, but it sounded more like static from the radio but it was coming from somewhere else. I actually thought it was a speaker but had no idea. It went away in 30-45 mins. Maybe it was possessed by a spirit temporarily. __________________ kCobra ------- 2008 Black 135i M Sport
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11-13-2008, 07:37 PM	#3
Robert Major General 417 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 135i -> is350 -> Tesla M3 perf Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	Do you have comfort access? It's the due to the fact that you unlocked the door while accidently touching the grooved part of the handle. The car is then trying to lock the door while it's open. __________________ - There's nothing in my pocket other than knives and lint
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04-09-2012, 02:35 PM	#5
bozola Unloved BMW Addict 86 Rep 1,185 Posts Drives: Z3 Coupe, 3 318Ti Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: King County WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 Z3 Coupe [10.00] 1998 318Ti [0.00] 1998 318Ti [10.00] 2008 128i [9.00]	This happened to me for the second time today . Anyone else?
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