GO FISHING, use SLABSAUCE Fishing Attractant
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: Weird vibe/fluttering noise in dash???

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Santa Barbara, CA
    Posts
    132

    Default Weird vibe/fluttering noise in dash???

    Here's a stumper for the group. I've owned three e34's and this is the first one that's had this problem.

    I have a 95 540/6 and when I hit 60 mph or above on the highway I am getting a weird noise from inside the dash. It is kind of a buzzing/fluttering sound and it's pretty loud. (ie. almost loud enough to disrupt conversation in the car). The sound is intermittent and it can last from a few sconds to a minute or more. Sounds like it's coming form the center/driver's side of the dash.

    It sounds like air is passing over one of the mode doors in the HVAC system and causing it to flutter at a high rate of vibration. The problem with that theory is that adjusting the heater/ac controls has no effect on the noise. I can turn on/off the outside air or recirc., turn on/off the a/c, turn the fan to high low or off and none of those things affect the noise. The old "hit it with a hammer" test doesn't work either. The only thing that will make it go away (othet than just waiting for it to stop on it's own) is slowing down the car.

    I desperate for a solution that doesn't invlove pulling the dash (which I'd like to avoid at all costs), but I'm not too optimistic.

    Any ideas out there?

    Thanks to all!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Lexington, Kentucky
    Posts
    2,561

    Default

    check archives. there should be a bit on the plastic panels at the base of the windshield. They can be loose and make a lot of noise.
    Thanks,

    1995 525i Auto, M50TU 2.5L, EAT chip, 1/95 build, USA, 205/65/15 tires, ASC+T, HID, lumbar, EC Mirror, BMW Alpine 5 radio with BMW-Pioneer CD Changer, abt 236k miles, Oxford Green/Parchment

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Santa Barbara, CA
    Posts
    132

    Default

    Thanks for the tip Russell. This noise is definitely inside the dash and is a fairly high frequency vibration, not a rattle.


    Quote Originally Posted by Russell
    check archives. there should be a bit on the plastic panels at the base of the windshield. They can be loose and make a lot of noise.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Chicago, Il. U.S.A.
    Posts
    4,243

    Default

    Isn't there a vaccuum hose to the back of the cluster??
    Try a bigger hammer!
    "The gas pedal wouldn't go to the floor if it weren't meant to be there"

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1,839

    Default

    i have a blower fan doing that, i hit the air speed to full for a second and it goes away
    Alusil, Dinan DME | ITG Air Filter | Eibach/Bilstein HD | 26/20 Swaybars | Iridium plugs | Depo/ProLumen HID | Optima batt. | no AC | Stoptech brake lines, Frozen rotors, brass bushings, Superblue

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    4,374

    Default

    You're all wrong.

    It's the Pressure Adjusting Device (under the drivers windscreen wiper). At this age they are all suffering dry lubricant. Everyone that has a 535/530/540 with the (ie special 'bahn speed wipers) need to pull the PAD out (you need a T20/25 Torx head and a 5mm Allen key, plus spanners and sockets to get it out (on a US car they can be accessed from inside the firewall openings just behind the fuse box. You have to remove it carefully not to lose the ball and socket and adjuster pin. Look it up on the online ETK first. I have posted about them in the past. There is a good write up on Sean and Johan's e32 pages.

    If you don't fix it the nylon cogs inside will crack/wear from the strain you cna hear them going through. It might bend your wiper arm too as it can get out of synch and pressure it too much. Watch for signs of that (ie where the arm may be hitting the bonnet) its easy to bend back, but like many things on these cars takes a special knack.

    New PADs can be bought form BMW too. Bloody excellent little device, it delivers a perfect wipe at 240kmh you know.... Nick

    Join the Aussie
    540i LE yahoo forum

    08/88 535i e34 M30+miller MAF, 'stiens, tints & teeth!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Santa Barbara, CA
    Posts
    132

    Default Interesting!

    That's one I never heard before!

    So this device could make noise (or flutter) even when the wipers are not in use? If so, I guess the wind force on the static wiper arm is providing the input energy?

    Thanks for the suggestion!



    Quote Originally Posted by genphreak
    You're all wrong.

    It's the Pressure Adjusting Device (under the drivers windscreen wiper). At this age they are all suffering dry lubricant. Everyone that has a 535/530/540 with the (ie special 'bahn speed wipers) need to pull the PAD out (you need a T20/25 Torx head and a 5mm Allen key, plus spanners and sockets to get it out (on a US car they can be accessed from inside the firewall openings just behind the fuse box. You have to remove it carefully not to lose the ball and socket and adjuster pin. Look it up on the online ETK first. I have posted about them in the past. There is a good write up on Sean and Johan's e32 pages.

    If you don't fix it the nylon cogs inside will crack/wear from the strain you cna hear them going through. It might bend your wiper arm too as it can get out of synch and pressure it too much. Watch for signs of that (ie where the arm may be hitting the bonnet) its easy to bend back, but like many things on these cars takes a special knack.

    New PADs can be bought form BMW too. Bloody excellent little device, it delivers a perfect wipe at 240kmh you know.... Nick

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    NW UK
    Posts
    144

    Default

    that was an interesting suggestion indeed

    i think it's probably the plastic panels - scuttle panels?

    my 5 was missing some of the clips that hold them down when i got her and had the same noise i think although mine only seemed to to it on the motorway - try tapping the panels round the wiper area with ur finger, if their loose thats probably it - i could have sworn it was coming from inside the car but turned out it was those panels, i've been wrong before though

    s

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Lexington, Kentucky
    Posts
    2,561

    Default

    still think it is the panels
    Thanks,

    1995 525i Auto, M50TU 2.5L, EAT chip, 1/95 build, USA, 205/65/15 tires, ASC+T, HID, lumbar, EC Mirror, BMW Alpine 5 radio with BMW-Pioneer CD Changer, abt 236k miles, Oxford Green/Parchment

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Calgary AB Canada
    Posts
    589

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Russell
    still think it is the panels
    Yup - been there, done that.

    Get some black RTV and lay a thin bead where the plastic cowl covers meet the glass at the base of the windscreen. Let it dry and you're golden.
    Anthony
    03/64 production

    '91M5 - 11/90, was mine, it's Jim's now.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Not another weird noise thread?
    By whiskychaser in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 03-20-2009, 12:59 PM
  2. Strange gearbox behaviour and weird noise from dash!
    By ben wilamowski in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 06-25-2008, 06:49 AM
  3. Weird noise when turning
    By leetsauce4000 in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 12-02-2005, 05:55 PM
  4. Weird drivetrain noise!
    By gt90 in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 09-28-2005, 05:08 PM
  5. PLZ HELP Weird noise in middle of car!!!
    By Bobby in forum 5 Series BMW
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-26-2004, 12:01 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •