Any idea what this noise could be?

[foghat]

Hey all,

This has now happened to me twice (have had the car for a couple months). This first time (a couple of weeks ago) I thought I might just be hearing things. Guess not.

I have comfort access if that might make a difference.

So coming back to my locked car from the store, stick my hand in the door handle to unlock. Car unlocks and at about the same time there is this sound, like something in the door quickly unwound - like wuuurrrra is best I can describe it. lol.

Everything still works fine (windows, locks, etc). Since it is pretty much one motion for me between unlocking and opening the door, I can't be 100% sure it happened on the unlock vs. the open, but I am pretty sure.

Any thoughts on what this could be? And maybe why it is only happening very infrequently?

[dtwyim]

Low pressure fuel pump priming. Should hear it more on passenger's side.

[foghat]

^ nope definitely not that. I hear that every time I get into the car. When this happens is happening right in the driver's side door. It is much louder and sounds like something under tension suddenly was let loose.

[tuco44]

Just a shot in the dark - could it be the slight dropping of the window as the door is openned or closed? If so, that is normal. When I first got my 135, I was puzzled by the sound of the window moving.

[foghat]

^ nope not that either. Noticed the window drop right off when I first got the car. this is a very distinct and fairly loud sound. And like I say has only happened to me twice so far.

I wish I could explain it better. I know I have heard similar sounds before, but I can't think of what they were from. Just like something that was wound up suddenly letting loose.

[ken1137]

What about the locking mechanism (actuator)..maybe it is going bad. I once heard a similar sound on my 328. A week later I could not lock or unlock my doors...my dealer said they had to replace both actuators (?).

[bmw1racer]

I don't have Comfort Access but my car also whirrs when I open either door... Seems to be normal, though I haven't read anything official about it.

Maybe I'll inquire with the dealer.

[foghat]

Originally Posted by ken1137

What about the locking mechanism (actuator)..maybe it is going bad. I once heard a similar sound on my 328. A week later I could not lock or unlock my doors...my dealer said they had to replace both actuators (?).

Maybe that could be it. Do you mean you could not even lock/unlock them with the key? And both doors? Was yours only making noise on one door? Crikey, hope I don't end up having to climb in through my trunk one day...

Was yours done under warranty? If not, do you remember the cost?

My warranty is gone beginning of Sept. Guess I should look at getting this in.

[foghat]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

I don't have Comfort Access but my car also whirrs when I open either door... Seems to be normal, though I haven't read anything official about it.

Maybe I'll inquire with the dealer.

The whirr you hear is normal. It is the hpfp being primed. What I have heard twice now is something completely different.

Edit. just noticed your drive a 128. Not sure what noise you are hearing then, as I don't think 128i has hpfp.

[ken1137]

Originally Posted by foghat

Maybe that could be it. Do you mean you could not even lock/unlock them with the key? And both doors? Was yours only making noise on one door? Crikey, hope I don't end up having to climb in through my trunk one day...

Was yours done under warranty? If not, do you remember the cost?

My warranty is gone beginning of Sept. Guess I should look at getting this in.

Yes, I had to use the actual key to get in the car, the FOB would not work, nor would the lock button inside the car. Yes, strangely enough both doors. Yes, I only heard the sound with the drivers side door. Yes, my 328 was still under warranty so nothing out of pocket. GL.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by foghat

The whirr you hear is normal. It is the hpfp being primed. What I have heard twice now is something completely different.

Edit. just noticed your drive a 128. Not sure what noise you are hearing then, as I don't think 128i has hpfp.

Yup.

It seems that the whirring has to do with the central locking system in some way, the engaging or disengaging of servomotors or solenoids... When it gets near service time, I can point it out to the rep.

[Venom]

this is because the comfort access is detecting that your hand is both on top of the handle and inside when you pull on the door.

[foghat]

Originally Posted by Venom

this is because the comfort access is detecting that your hand is both on top of the handle and inside when you pull on the door.

Not sure I'm following. It makes a funny noise because of this?

[doublevanosrc]

That noise is your car transforming into a robot.

[foghat]

^ Giddy Up!

[Venom]

Originally Posted by foghat

Not sure I'm following. It makes a funny noise because of this?

There's a motor that cycles between lock and unlock if you manage to do this just the right way. I've done it a few times and have gotten that whirrrrrrr and if you look at the locking mechanism on the door as you hear it you can see that the lock is cycling open and locked positions.

This is what I think you are hearing.

-Venom

[foghat]

^ That could be. Hasn't happened again since and everything is working fine.

[IDBMW]

I get that noise on occasion. I think it is the doors lock/unlock solenoid freaking out (Solenoid is actuating several times a second) like Venom said. My car is a 2008 and it started about a year after I bought it. So far no solid failure and most likely will not fail since I bought the extended warranty.