2011 E90 ringing noise from climate control?

rmswenson747 · 09-22-2016, 06:10 AM

hi... looking for some help... 2011 328xi ringing noise, that appears to be coming from the dash area. very hard to pinpoint an exact location, as it seems to be from different places depending on where you are listening from. kinda sounds like a steady 'chime' sound on an iphone.

1) ringing/tinging noise is consistent, doesn't change in pitch or volume with engine, wheel, or blower fan speed
2) only occurs when the climate control unit is ON. by lowering the fan speed to lowest setting, when the climate control unit 'shuts off', with no lights on, the noise stops
3) noise occurs with AC both On and Off.
4) weird part... while driving, while turning to the left, often but not always, the noise stops. when i straighten out, the noise returns. turning right does not impact the noise

i have read that the E46 climate control unit has a constant speed internal fan that can cause similar noise. does anyone know if the E90 has a similar fan that might need cleaning/lubrication?

any other thoughts? thx.

dauble2k5 · 09-22-2016, 06:30 AM

Sounds like the blower motor might be going bad. Mine's making similar sounds, comes and goes and sometimes gets louder with turns.

lnxguy · 09-22-2016, 07:54 AM

Remove the cabin filter and grease the blower fan with some lithium grease. (This is the easiest way to access it)

tibfibber · 09-22-2016, 01:43 PM

I wonder if that's the same ringing I'm hearing. Hard to describe, constant trilling, ringing sound... Hadn't really thought about the blower motor, but that makes sense. You've done more checks, whereas I've primarily noticed it seems to be triggered by getting on the gas. I doesn't seem to matter if it's gradual, or hard acceleration, and I might consider a voltage rise from the increased rpms might be the cause in an older car. I'm guessing the bmw is regulated a bit better than my old 71 510 Datsun.

It's not really too bothersome, but it'd be nice to track it down.

Krynos · 09-22-2016, 04:50 PM

I had a similar problem. Then the interior blower failed. Dealer replaced blower and some-kind of special fuse under warrantee.

Gohan335i7 · 09-22-2016, 05:32 PM

When I has a ringing problem upon acceleration it ended up being my compressor. Just food for thought. Blower motor would be coming from the glove box I believe.

lnxguy · 10-18-2016, 02:33 PM

Lube the blower motor with some silicon ( remove the cabin filter to access, way easier) and see if the sound disappears.

09-22-2016, 06:10 AM	#1
rmswenson747 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328xi sedan [0.00]	2011 E90 ringing noise from climate control? hi... looking for some help... 2011 328xi ringing noise, that appears to be coming from the dash area. very hard to pinpoint an exact location, as it seems to be from different places depending on where you are listening from. kinda sounds like a steady 'chime' sound on an iphone. 1) ringing/tinging noise is consistent, doesn't change in pitch or volume with engine, wheel, or blower fan speed 2) only occurs when the climate control unit is ON. by lowering the fan speed to lowest setting, when the climate control unit 'shuts off', with no lights on, the noise stops 3) noise occurs with AC both On and Off. 4) weird part... while driving, while turning to the left, often but not always, the noise stops. when i straighten out, the noise returns. turning right does not impact the noise i have read that the E46 climate control unit has a constant speed internal fan that can cause similar noise. does anyone know if the E90 has a similar fan that might need cleaning/lubrication? any other thoughts? thx.
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09-22-2016, 06:30 AM	#2
dauble2k5 Private First Class 57 Rep 180 Posts Drives: 2011 VR E92 335i, 6MT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Sounds like the blower motor might be going bad. Mine's making similar sounds, comes and goes and sometimes gets louder with turns.
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09-22-2016, 07:54 AM	#3
lnxguy Lieutenant Colonel 357 Rep 1,723 Posts Drives: 2009 335D Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Barrie iTrader: (1)	Remove the cabin filter and grease the blower fan with some lithium grease. (This is the easiest way to access it) __________________ '09 335D
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09-22-2016, 01:43 PM	#4
tibfibber New Member 3 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2008 e91 Montego Blue Touring Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: SF Bay Area / Santa Cruz iTrader: (0)	I wonder if that's the same ringing I'm hearing. Hard to describe, constant trilling, ringing sound... Hadn't really thought about the blower motor, but that makes sense. You've done more checks, whereas I've primarily noticed it seems to be triggered by getting on the gas. I doesn't seem to matter if it's gradual, or hard acceleration, and I might consider a voltage rise from the increased rpms might be the cause in an older car. I'm guessing the bmw is regulated a bit better than my old 71 510 Datsun. It's not really too bothersome, but it'd be nice to track it down.
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09-22-2016, 04:50 PM	#5
Krynos Private First Class 54 Rep 158 Posts Drives: E93 335i, F10 528i Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	I had a similar problem. Then the interior blower failed. Dealer replaced blower and some-kind of special fuse under warrantee.
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09-22-2016, 05:32 PM	#6
Gohan335i7 Captain 312 Rep 766 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 335i [10.00]	When I has a ringing problem upon acceleration it ended up being my compressor. Just food for thought. Blower motor would be coming from the glove box I believe.
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10-18-2016, 02:33 PM	#7
lnxguy Lieutenant Colonel 357 Rep 1,723 Posts Drives: 2009 335D Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Barrie iTrader: (1)	Lube the blower motor with some silicon ( remove the cabin filter to access, way easier) and see if the sound disappears.
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