Atrocious screeching/static noise coming from speaker

[1speedbike]

Hey guys...

So I just had the pleasure of experiencing this horrible screeching noise that started blasting out of my rear passenger side speaker (behind the head) when I unlock my car without turning it on. Key isn't inserted at all, the radio is completely off, and I don't have comfort access. When I unlocked the car, I heard this noise from outside and several yards away. It lasted about 30-45 seconds, and I caught just the tail end of it on a phone video.

I'm assuming my speaker is going.. Is that what it sounds like to you guys?

I just hit over 50K and didn't extend the warranty on the radio, just everything else. Damn it. It's like fucking clockwork, I swear.

[bmw1racer]

Is it possible that the rear speaker picking up RF noise from your cell phone?

I notice that my PC speakers and clock radio occasionally pick up noise from my cell phone... Faint buzzing that lasts for about five seconds.

[Satalite]

Remember that once you open/unlock your car it will start sending signals to your amp/electronics and you might just be hearing bad feedback. Never heard that in my life. Sounds like a dying cat.

[Barry45RPM]

We had a bad amplifier. It was replaced.

[TheSt|G]

Premium sound or standard sound?

[1speedbike]

Originally Posted by bmw3racer

Is it possible that the rear speaker picking up RF noise from your cell phone?

I notice that my PC speakers and clock radio occasionally pick up noise from my cell phone... Faint buzzing that lasts for about five seconds.

I didnt have my cell phone when it happened... It was in the house when I just went to go get something out of the car. Unless it can pick it up from 20-25 feet away? Hmm. Thank you for the input!

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Premium sound or standard sound?

The standard for 2008.

Originally Posted by Barry45RPM

We had a bad amplifier. It was replaced.

Could be.. Is that what a bad amp sounds like?? Never had any of my guitar amps sound like that unless I was purposely trying to get obnoxious feedback lol.

Originally Posted by Satalite

Remember that once you open/unlock your car it will start sending signals to your amp/electronics and you might just be hearing bad feedback. Never heard that in my life. Sounds like a dying cat.

Yeah the whole car turns on, I normally hear all the other gizmos start whirring. But this time i heard this racket coming out of the car before I even got close. This was just awful. Your dying cat description suits it well :

[Section147]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

Atrocious screeching/static noise coming from speaker

You sure it wasn't just - plug in latest POS flavor of the week "artist" here - blaring from your tortured speakers?

Sorry...your thread title was too perfect.

[1speedbike]

^lol

UPDATE!


Had to get my entire radio system replaced. I'm 5K miles out of warranty, but they're doing it all for free anyway. Strangely enough, since I have an early build car the radios weren't exactly the same. The old ones had to have a module installed for Sirius whereas the newer model radio they're installing has it built in, and it just needs an activation code to be usable. My car's programming had no idea how to interpret this new module and nothing worked, so a specialist from BMW NA has to come and program my car. Strange. They say it's the first time they've had to do this.


Either way. Out of warranty, still get a free new radio...

[ronster]

Glad you had it replaced under warranty. It happened to my old 135i and my new 1M (@2000km) once. The static noise lasted much longer than 1 min. Last time I didn't wait and drove for 7 mins or so. The car was filled with static noise the whole time I drove. Parked the car and noise stopped after I came back from dinner.

I think I have seen threads about this on here. Most ppl claimed it happened to them once and never came back.

So what did you dealer say about it?

[APC7654]

The exact same loud static sound happened to me today on my '12, 128i, and drove it right over to the dealer. I couldn't get it to stop, even with the ignition off. Dealer said it was the amp, and would have to order one. The technician was able to stop it by unplugging and replugging a connector on the amp in the trunk. We will see if this fixes the problem.

[Dackelone]

I have seen other posts on this. ie static noise coming from the speakers(most of the time rear speakers) when the car is unlocked or turned off. Others have reported it was fixed via a SW update. A few guys said a new radio was needed. Sometimes when bmw updates the SW, other hardware must be upgraded too like bluetooth and/or the radio HU.

[rwp49]

This same problem happened to me today. Drove home from work, made appointment for service. Went to drive the car to dealer and the sound stopped. I read somewhere that if your cell phone is near your comfort access key this my effect some functions on the car. Does anyone have any other opinions?

[josemh23]

Mine just did that exact noise out of front speaker , I hope is nothing too big cause the closest service center is 2 hours away and usually they are not very reliable, ...

[Walter_Sobchak]

Mine is doing this today ("this" being screeching out of rear speaker whether the radio/ignition is on or not) I'm going on a road trip with a GF tomorrow too!

My question, how does one unplug/plug the amp in the trunk?