Whirring Noise behind glove box

Sample · 04-14-2013, 11:35 PM

I've noticed that when I first start my car and drive around its silent inside the cabin, but just a little while later a constant whirring noise will start that originates from somewhere behind the glove box. The whirring will not stop until I turn the car off.

Any ideas?

Agentphish · 04-14-2013, 11:44 PM

Blower motor is going bad due to rusty bearing/shaft. Use the search there is DIY that can help you replace. Some people also take it out and lube it with zoom spout turbine oil. Ace Hardware for about 2 bucks. I did it. Works fine. Takes about 20 mins.

Beats the $150 part.

Sample · 04-15-2013, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agentphish

Blower motor is going bad due to rusty bearing/shaft. Use the search there is DIY that can help you replace. Some people also take it out and lube it with zoom spout turbine oil. Ace Hardware for about 2 bucks. I did it. Works fine. Takes about 20 mins.

Beats the $150 part.

My noise is faint, not like that video. I can't really hear it unless its quiet and the volume is low on the radio. Would this blower motor be on even if I have my AC/Heater off?

Also, is this the DIY you're talking about? http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=blower

Thanks

bernard54321 · 04-15-2013, 01:16 AM

i have that same whine... but i notice it more on a decelleration when its quiet.

Bavarian Black · 04-15-2013, 01:40 AM

Typically a lot of members hear a slight fan noise behind the stereo or ecu bay. There is a small fan that calls the ecu that turns on from time to time and I have learnt to ignore it. But it's more of a fan mmmmm noise rather than a whine....

JunkStory · 04-15-2013, 02:24 AM

yep it's the little fan that cools the ECU

Sample · 04-15-2013, 07:46 PM

Thanks for the info. Gives me a place to start.

E90_boostjunky · 04-15-2013, 07:58 PM

Yeah I hear that fan noise as soon as I get in my car before I even start it or even put the key in. I here it coming from the idrive area. It sounds like a fan. It does turn off after a while of sitting in the car without opening the door or moving any controls, but as soon as I open the door you can here it again. It's weird.

cyclicoyster · 04-16-2013, 08:23 PM

I just noticed this exact issue. It sounds like it's coming from behind the stereo. Is this an issue that has to be fixed? It's weird because all winter long I didnt' hear it. Today was 80 degrees, and it's the first time I've heard it. Is this normal?

plumsauce09328i · 08-07-2013, 07:33 AM

I have been ignoring it, but from time to time it does bother you when all you want is total quietness.
Went to a dealer today and they told me it is the fan for the ecu, asked if anything can be done , he said "nothing to worry about, the fan is part of the main computer and the whole unit costs a couple grand, i wouldn't touch it"
asked if i can at least take it out and clean it or lube it, he said no!

If anyone has found a solution (affordable) for it, plz share!!

Dark_Knight_335 · 08-07-2013, 07:46 AM

You know what? This could very well be my issue too!

MGT81 · 08-08-2013, 09:34 AM

Mine does it too occasionally after I've been driving for a while.

FK330 · 09-04-2013, 01:01 AM

If it's the AC blower fan, I have solved this issue by changing my windshield wiper fluid. Empty the old fluid by using the windshield wiper sprayer and then fill the windshield wiper fluid with the orange [all winter/low temp] fluid. The car takes more than one gallon but less than two gallons. Then mess around with the AC blower fan speed setting until it doesn't make noise.

zhazhi98 · 09-04-2013, 01:09 AM

There is a small fan that calls the ecu that turns on from time to time.

04-14-2013, 11:35 PM	#1
Sample Second Lieutenant 57 Rep 224 Posts Drives: E90 335i/G05 X5 xDrive40i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: US iTrader: (6)	Whirring Noise behind glove box I've noticed that when I first start my car and drive around its silent inside the cabin, but just a little while later a constant whirring noise will start that originates from somewhere behind the glove box. The whirring will not stop until I turn the car off. Any ideas? Last edited by Sample; 04-14-2013 at 11:37 PM.. Reason: clarification
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04-14-2013, 11:44 PM	#2
Agentphish Major 129 Rep 1,052 Posts Drives: '08 328i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (2)	Blower motor is going bad due to rusty bearing/shaft. Use the search there is DIY that can help you replace. Some people also take it out and lube it with zoom spout turbine oil. Ace Hardware for about 2 bucks. I did it. Works fine. Takes about 20 mins. Beats the $150 part. __________________ '08 328i \| TiAg \| 6MT \| CDV Mod \| RevMotoring Silicon Intake Tube \| AG M310 \| Cold \| Premium \| HiFi \| V1 Hardwire \| AirPlay - FiiO DAC '15 Golf SE Sport \| Pure White
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04-15-2013, 01:16 AM	#4
bernard54321 Lieutenant 55 Rep 474 Posts Drives: 2009 328I E90 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: l.a. california iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 Bmw 330i [0.00] 2009 328I E90 [0.00]	i have that same whine... but i notice it more on a decelleration when its quiet. __________________ //// M3 Conversion front bumper //// Csl trunk lid //// mtech rear bumper //// resonator delete //// airrex digital air suspension //// megan camber arms //// godspeed toe arms //// Stance Wheels sf01 19x8.5 / 19x9.5 //// instagram: thebernardexperience
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04-15-2013, 01:40 AM	#5
Bavarian Black Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 297 Posts Drives: 08 335i MS Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: LB iTrader: (0)	Typically a lot of members hear a slight fan noise behind the stereo or ecu bay. There is a small fan that calls the ecu that turns on from time to time and I have learnt to ignore it. But it's more of a fan mmmmm noise rather than a whine.... __________________ 08 335i MSPORT & PR PKG/aFe St2 DCI/AA BOV kit +DP/SprintBooster Stage 2/Avant Garde 19 rims/ HNK V12 Pro Tires/BMS Wheel Spacers/ E92 M F n B kit incl blk kidney grills and sensors/Afe mach Exhaust. M3 skirts, DNA map 3
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04-15-2013, 02:24 AM	#6
JunkStory Major 160 Rep 1,307 Posts Drives: E92 M3, 8V RS3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: 98230 iTrader: (3)	yep it's the little fan that cools the ECU
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04-15-2013, 07:46 PM	#7
Sample Second Lieutenant 57 Rep 224 Posts Drives: E90 335i/G05 X5 xDrive40i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: US iTrader: (6)	Thanks for the info. Gives me a place to start.
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04-15-2013, 07:58 PM	#8
E90_boostjunky Lieutenant Colonel 92 Rep 1,644 Posts Drives: BMW 335I E90 SGM Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: USA, IL iTrader: (1)	Yeah I hear that fan noise as soon as I get in my car before I even start it or even put the key in. I here it coming from the idrive area. It sounds like a fan. It does turn off after a while of sitting in the car without opening the door or moving any controls, but as soon as I open the door you can here it again. It's weird.
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04-16-2013, 08:23 PM	#9
cyclicoyster Private First Class 28 Rep 146 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	I just noticed this exact issue. It sounds like it's coming from behind the stereo. Is this an issue that has to be fixed? It's weird because all winter long I didnt' hear it. Today was 80 degrees, and it's the first time I've heard it. Is this normal?
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08-07-2013, 07:33 AM	#10
plumsauce09328i New Member 2 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2009 328i sedan Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	I have been ignoring it, but from time to time it does bother you when all you want is total quietness. Went to a dealer today and they told me it is the fan for the ecu, asked if anything can be done , he said "nothing to worry about, the fan is part of the main computer and the whole unit costs a couple grand, i wouldn't touch it" asked if i can at least take it out and clean it or lube it, he said no! If anyone has found a solution (affordable) for it, plz share!!
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08-07-2013, 07:46 AM	#11
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside 1112 Rep 12,740 Posts Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ iTrader: (28)	You know what? This could very well be my issue too!
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08-08-2013, 09:34 AM	#12
MGT81 Lieutenant 101 Rep 535 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Mine does it too occasionally after I've been driving for a while.
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09-04-2013, 01:01 AM	#13
FK330 Registered 2 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: west coast iTrader: (0)	If it's the AC blower fan, I have solved this issue by changing my windshield wiper fluid. Empty the old fluid by using the windshield wiper sprayer and then fill the windshield wiper fluid with the orange [all winter/low temp] fluid. The car takes more than one gallon but less than two gallons. Then mess around with the AC blower fan speed setting until it doesn't make noise.
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09-04-2013, 01:09 AM	#14
zhazhi98 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: london iTrader: (0)	There is a small fan that calls the ecu that turns on from time to time. __________________
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