whistling sound at low speeds NOT engine related - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

amancuso · 12-06-2010, 09:35 AM

in my 2008 128i coupe, I hear wind whistling but I can't figure out where it's coming from.. From the driver's seat it sounds like its coming from the passenger side and vice versa. Also if I crack the windows or sunroof, you can still hear the whistling sound. I tried the tape on the bottom of the side view mirrors and the noise persists. I know my car's windshield was replaced by the dealership by the previous owner, could the whistle be from a poorly sealed windshield? Also you can hear it from about 20MPH up to about 50-55MPH.

Thanks for your ideas/theories.

Al.

wkndracr · 12-06-2010, 07:47 PM

I heard an odd whistling sound and realized it was coming from the dash vents. try switching the airflow around, changing fan speed or switching it off to see if it goes away.

jameselee · 12-17-2010, 02:34 AM

I just heard the same thing tonight, then happened to see this thread!

FJUNO78 · 12-17-2010, 09:28 AM

are you sure it's not the wind coming off your mirrors? put your hand on the top of the mirror when you are moving, see if that eliminates it.

new128 · 01-17-2011, 12:27 PM

I've been having a similar "crackling/rustling" noise since I bought my 2011 128. It starts at low speeds and never goes away. Finally got a chance to look into it extensively. It only seems to come from the passenger side. I tried all the mirror and window fixes outlined in other threads.

I found that it was coming from the air ducts in the foot well.

When driving, it doesn't matter whether the fan is on or off. It doesn't matter whether the setting is recirculate or outside air.
When parked, I can shut the engine off and just turn on the heater fan and it can be heard if you get your ear down in the foot well, but it is much louder when driving - even with the fan off. (Its louder from the passenger side, but with the fan running, if I put my ear in the driver foot well, it is also there, but much lower in volume.)
Can't understand how the sound is being produced in the air ducts with the fan off - what is causing air flow with the fan off?

I thought the operation of the air system was that when the fan was completely turned off, the outside air was turned off. (This is kind of verified, since with the fan off, the windows will eventually steam up.)

Anyone else experiencing this issue?

12-06-2010, 09:35 AM	#1
amancuso Captain Drives: 00 Z3 2.3,12 R56, 12 128i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Burlington, New Jersey Posts: 734 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 128i [0.50]	whistling sound at low speeds NOT engine related in my 2008 128i coupe, I hear wind whistling but I can't figure out where it's coming from.. From the driver's seat it sounds like its coming from the passenger side and vice versa. Also if I crack the windows or sunroof, you can still hear the whistling sound. I tried the tape on the bottom of the side view mirrors and the noise persists. I know my car's windshield was replaced by the dealership by the previous owner, could the whistle be from a poorly sealed windshield? Also you can hear it from about 20MPH up to about 50-55MPH. Thanks for your ideas/theories. Al.
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12-06-2010, 07:47 PM	#2
wkndracr Private First Class Drives: '10 135i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yonkers, NY Posts: 156 iTrader: (0)	I heard an odd whistling sound and realized it was coming from the dash vents. try switching the airflow around, changing fan speed or switching it off to see if it goes away. __________________ 2010 135i 6MT All stock except for some audio stuff Now with Cobb Stage 1

12-17-2010, 02:34 AM	#3
jameselee Second Lieutenant Drives: 2011 Space Gray 135i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 211 iTrader: (0)	I just heard the same thing tonight, then happened to see this thread! __________________ 2011 135i 6MT Space Gray/Black/Aluminum \| M-Sport \| Premium \| CA \| Nav BMW Performance [Suspension, Exhaust, Grilles, Mirrors, Spoiler, Shifter/Boot] Ordered: 11 Sep \| Production: 16-23 Sep \| Released to carrier: 26 Sep \| Awaiting ship: 1 Oct \| In transit: 14 Oct \| Prep. Center: 9 Nov \| Delivered: 10 Dec

12-17-2010, 09:28 AM	#4
FJUNO78 Captain Drives: 25 to 2 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: staten island, NY Posts: 885 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 135i [0.00] 2007 e92 328I [0.00]	are you sure it's not the wind coming off your mirrors? put your hand on the top of the mirror when you are moving, see if that eliminates it. __________________ 2010 135i - Alpine White - Coral Red- Glacier Trim - Bluetooth - ///M Sport - Paddle Shifters

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01-17-2011, 12:27 PM	#5
new128 First BMW Drives: 2011 128i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 87 iTrader: (0)	I've been having a similar "crackling/rustling" noise since I bought my 2011 128. It starts at low speeds and never goes away. Finally got a chance to look into it extensively. It only seems to come from the passenger side. I tried all the mirror and window fixes outlined in other threads. I found that it was coming from the air ducts in the foot well. When driving, it doesn't matter whether the fan is on or off. It doesn't matter whether the setting is recirculate or outside air. When parked, I can shut the engine off and just turn on the heater fan and it can be heard if you get your ear down in the foot well, but it is much louder when driving - even with the fan off. (Its louder from the passenger side, but with the fan running, if I put my ear in the driver foot well, it is also there, but much lower in volume.) Can't understand how the sound is being produced in the air ducts with the fan off - what is causing air flow with the fan off? I thought the operation of the air system was that when the fan was completely turned off, the outside air was turned off. (This is kind of verified, since with the fan off, the windows will eventually steam up.) Anyone else experiencing this issue?