Strange static coming from speaker? What could cause this?

chris82 · 08-19-2015, 07:41 AM

I got in my car this morning, and when I shut the door, static started coming out of my passenger side door tweeter. Even if I took the key out, it would still play static. The radio was off, everything was off. I ended up opening and closing my passenger door and that shut it up for a little, but then once I drove off it came back and wouldn't go away until 5-10 minutes into the trip. If I play music through FM/CD/Aux, it comes through clear, even though the static is still coming from the tweeter. The volume level of the static does not vary with the volume controls. What the hell? Any ideas? It's a 2008 128i with the BMW Professional stereo system. I think something must be loose. Curious if anyone else has had this problem?

edisapimp · 08-19-2015, 08:18 AM

This a tough question to answer, but: Does the static have a "frequency" to it that changes with the engine RPM? In other words, does the way the static sounds to you change at all with anything you do?

My first instinct tells me it's a bad ground in the speaker wiring. I don't know how your speakers are in the coupe because I have a convertible. Good luck.

bmw1racer · 08-19-2015, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edisapimp

My first instinct tells me it's a bad ground in the speaker wiring.

+1... That would be my first guess.

chris82 · 08-19-2015, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edisapimp

This a tough question to answer, but: Does the static have a "frequency" to it that changes with the engine RPM? In other words, does the way the static sounds to you change at all with anything you do?

My first instinct tells me it's a bad ground in the speaker wiring. I don't know how your speakers are in the coupe because I have a convertible. Good luck.

No it just stays the same regardless of what I'm doing. If I slam the door, that motion shuts it up, or if I hit a bump. The jolt must alter some wire connection.

edisapimp · 08-19-2015, 12:23 PM

Only one thing to do, take it apart and take a lookski!

ShocknAwe · 08-19-2015, 12:56 PM

Chris, try pulling the negative lead on the battery and leaving it for an hour, then hooking it back up. Sometimes these speakers get fritzed by a bad computer signal. A good hard reset fixes that.

Ex:
My right rear speaker went berserk about 2 months back. played LOUD static (and whatever was on the radio too) 24/7 no matter what, and thumps, bangs changed or stopped the static momentarily. Resetting fixed it 100% and no issues since.

IF it's a bad hardware issue, then the above procedure won't work obviously.

Swimjim · 08-19-2015, 01:38 PM

i have a same, intermittent noise. first, i thought it was a fan so i turned off the a/c, etc. noise still there. 2nd, turned off radio. noise still there.

i am thinking it may have to do with bluetooth from my phone. but the strangest thing... the noise only occurs at 75+ mph?!!!

chris82 · 08-19-2015, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Chris, try pulling the negative lead on the battery and leaving it for an hour, then hooking it back up. Sometimes these speakers get fritzed by a bad computer signal. A good hard reset fixes that.

Ex:
My right rear speaker went berserk about 2 months back. played LOUD static (and whatever was on the radio too) 24/7 no matter what, and thumps, bangs changed or stopped the static momentarily. Resetting fixed it 100% and no issues since.

IF it's a bad hardware issue, then the above procedure won't work obviously.

Sounds like you have the exact same issue as me. yea the thumps, bumps, bangs, etc. made mine change or go away too. Will try this. So I just unhook the negative battery wire for an hour?

ShocknAwe · 08-19-2015, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris82

Sounds like you have the exact same issue as me. yea the thumps, bumps, bangs, etc. made mine change or go away too. Will try this. So I just unhook the negative battery wire for an hour?

Yup. Ultimately it ends up being like turning your home PC off and on again.

inline sex · 08-19-2015, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Yup. Ultimately it ends up being like turning your home PC off and on again.

more like pulling the cord while its in 'sleep' mode lol

It sounds like wiring issue within the door panel if opening/shutting it affects it

dailowill · 08-21-2015, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Chris, try pulling the negative lead on the battery and leaving it for an hour, then hooking it back up. Sometimes these speakers get fritzed by a bad computer signal. A good hard reset fixes that.

Ex:
My right rear speaker went berserk about 2 months back. played LOUD static (and whatever was on the radio too) 24/7 no matter what, and thumps, bangs changed or stopped the static momentarily. Resetting fixed it 100% and no issues since.

IF it's a bad hardware issue, then the above procedure won't work obviously.

If you disconnect the battery, does the radio require some type of code? I remember with my old cars they required some type of anti-theft code.

Pig Farmer · 08-21-2015, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dailowill

If you disconnect the battery, does the radio require some type of code? I remember with my old cars they required some type of anti-theft code.

No.

ShocknAwe · 08-22-2015, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dailowill

If you disconnect the battery, does the radio require some type of code? I remember with my old cars they required some type of anti-theft code.

Definitely not. You'll need to reprogram the time and possibly some other data into the gauge cluster. And you'll lose your trip count, mpg etc. Nothing serious.

The nice thing is it also resets all the adaptations, and we frequently get funky adaptations after a while.

I actually just had to do this last night. Started my car up after work yesterday and the rear speaker was buzzing again. I wonder what causes it. It's been at least 6 months since the last time though so I'm not worried. Tons of interference on a hospital campus

08-19-2015, 07:41 AM	#1
chris82 Brigadier General 827 Rep 3,856 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NY NY iTrader: (8) Garage List 2009 BMW 128i [9.80]	Strange static coming from speaker? What could cause this? I got in my car this morning, and when I shut the door, static started coming out of my passenger side door tweeter. Even if I took the key out, it would still play static. The radio was off, everything was off. I ended up opening and closing my passenger door and that shut it up for a little, but then once I drove off it came back and wouldn't go away until 5-10 minutes into the trip. If I play music through FM/CD/Aux, it comes through clear, even though the static is still coming from the tweeter. The volume level of the static does not vary with the volume controls. What the hell? Any ideas? It's a 2008 128i with the BMW Professional stereo system. I think something must be loose. Curious if anyone else has had this problem?
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08-19-2015, 08:18 AM	#2
edisapimp Civil Rights Activist 115 Rep 949 Posts Drives: E46 Sedan, E88 Vert Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	This a tough question to answer, but: Does the static have a "frequency" to it that changes with the engine RPM? In other words, does the way the static sounds to you change at all with anything you do? My first instinct tells me it's a bad ground in the speaker wiring. I don't know how your speakers are in the coupe because I have a convertible. Good luck. __________________ E88 Crimson Red Vert MSport 6MT - Listing your mods in your signature is lame. BMS DCI/MHD E30 Flash!!/AA Sport FMIC/VRSF CP w Tial BOV/VRSF 3" DPs/550i clutch w SPEC SMFW/Apex EC-7s/Whiteline RSFB/E92 M3 FCAs/Bilstein B12 Pro Kit/VRSF inlets
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08-19-2015, 12:23 PM	#5
edisapimp Civil Rights Activist 115 Rep 949 Posts Drives: E46 Sedan, E88 Vert Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	Only one thing to do, take it apart and take a lookski! __________________ E88 Crimson Red Vert MSport 6MT - Listing your mods in your signature is lame. BMS DCI/MHD E30 Flash!!/AA Sport FMIC/VRSF CP w Tial BOV/VRSF 3" DPs/550i clutch w SPEC SMFW/Apex EC-7s/Whiteline RSFB/E92 M3 FCAs/Bilstein B12 Pro Kit/VRSF inlets
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08-19-2015, 12:56 PM	#6
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3233 Rep 7,893 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	Chris, try pulling the negative lead on the battery and leaving it for an hour, then hooking it back up. Sometimes these speakers get fritzed by a bad computer signal. A good hard reset fixes that. Ex: My right rear speaker went berserk about 2 months back. played LOUD static (and whatever was on the radio too) 24/7 no matter what, and thumps, bangs changed or stopped the static momentarily. Resetting fixed it 100% and no issues since. IF it's a bad hardware issue, then the above procedure won't work obviously. __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
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08-19-2015, 01:38 PM	#7
Swimjim Private First Class 24 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2008 128i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TX iTrader: (1)	i have a same, intermittent noise. first, i thought it was a fan so i turned off the a/c, etc. noise still there. 2nd, turned off radio. noise still there. i am thinking it may have to do with bluetooth from my phone. but the strangest thing... the noise only occurs at 75+ mph?!!!
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