Electrical Buzzing Sound

jfong425 · 08-28-2013, 01:05 AM

I know a very high pitched buzzing sound can come from anywhere, but it just gets annoying. I have a 2011 335i LCI.

From start-up, you can hear the super high pitched buzzing. It's pretty hard to notice, but if you listen closely you can hear it. After about 30 seconds, the buzzing goes away, but buzzes again when passing 10mph.

I brought it into BMW and they said it's normal. They said it had the same buzz as other 335i. Does anyone else have this sound?

Thanks,
JayF

Sunny D · 08-28-2013, 07:55 AM

I can help! Same car, same problem, and I have been fighting it for just about eight months. Turns out, it is the vacuum line that control the flap in the left exhaust port. The flap closes on startup (for about 30 seconds) and then closes when the car is in 5th and 6th gear.

To confirm do this: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80661

That disables the flap. If it goes away, you have the same problem.

I took the car to my dealer yesterday and they confirmed the issue, but, they said fixing it will be tough and take time because they have to find where the leak is coming from. So I am driving around with the flap open (kinda cool anyway) with no noise. Hopefully will get it fixed next month when I leave them the car for a week.

jfong425 · 08-28-2013, 01:14 PM

so does keeping that exhaust open have any negative affects? I might try it at lunch and drive home with it (about a 25 mile trip)

Sunny D · 08-28-2013, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfong425

so does keeping that exhaust open have any negative affects? I might try it at lunch and drive home with it (about a 25 mile trip)

None at all. Just a little louder

jfong425 · 08-28-2013, 06:42 PM

how'd you describe this to the dealership? I know some of the mechanics in my area from high school so hopefully they'll be nice if I sound like a novice.

Sunny D · 08-28-2013, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfong425

how'd you describe this to the dealership? I know some of the mechanics in my area from high school so hopefully they'll be nice if I sound like a novice.

Well, I have been driving them nuts about this noise for a while. The trouble is, none of the techs said they could hear the noise. So once I told my SA I figured out what is causing the issue, he set me up to meet with their master tech. We met yesterday, and I told him exactly what I found, and he just believed me. Didn't even listen for the noise. He knows it is going to take him a while to find it, but, I think they just want to get rid of me

Honestly, I like the sound of the exhaust with the valve open. So even after they fix it I will probably leave it unplugged.

jfong425 · 08-28-2013, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ry335

None at all. Just a little louder

Also, is the buzzing because the vacuum line forcing the valve to be open? From your initial explanation, i get a bit confused.

Sunny D · 08-28-2013, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfong425

Also, is the buzzing because the vacuum line forcing the valve to be open? From your initial explanation, i get a bit confused.

Not exactly sure. The tech feels the "buzzing" sound is actually an air leak somewhere in the vacuum line. The vacuum line is only being used when the valved is CLOSED. And the valve is only closed on startup, and in 5th and 6th gear.

jfong425 · 08-28-2013, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ry335

Not exactly sure. The tech feels the "buzzing" sound is actually an air leak somewhere in the vacuum line. The vacuum line is only being used when the valved is CLOSED. And the valve is only closed on startup, and in 5th and 6th gear.

My buzzing is happening during initial start up (30 seconds or so) and anything after 10-13 mph. i'm hoping we have the same issue.

Sunny D · 08-28-2013, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfong425

My buzzing is happening during initial start up (30 seconds or so) and anything after 10-13 mph. i'm hoping we have the same issue.

Just unplug the valve (as in the link I posted above) and you will know right away. I hope so too, it would be good to have another person with the same issue. And the reality is there are probably more people with this issue and they just can't hear the noise (too high of a frequency).

jfong425 · 08-28-2013, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ry335

Just unplug the valve (as in the link I posted above) and you will know right away. I hope so too, it would be good to have another person with the same issue. And the reality is there are probably more people with this issue and they just can't hear the noise (too high of a frequency).

BINGO! That made the buzzing go away. I'm still under warranty and will get this fixed ASAP. Hopefully I get a loaner for the week it takes them to fix it.

Thanks, Ryan!!!

Sunny D · 08-28-2013, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfong425

BINGO! That made the buzzing go away. I'm still under warranty and will get this fixed ASAP. Hopefully I get a loaner for the week it takes them to fix it.

Thanks, Ryan!!!

Glad to hear! Let me know what your dealer says about a fix. I'm not brining mine in until Mid Sept.

jfong425 · 08-28-2013, 09:23 PM

Will do. Keep me posted on yours as well.

jfong425 · 09-11-2013, 04:48 PM

Sup Ryan, I brought my car in to get fixed by BMW.

They said it was a "Clogged" vacuum line. I'll get it back in a few hours. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thanks again for the help! Have you fixed yours yet?

Thanks
JayF

jfong425 · 09-11-2013, 07:39 PM

And it's gone!!!! Plus they detailed the car!

Sunny D · 09-12-2013, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfong425

And it's gone!!!! Plus they detailed the car!

Great news! Mine goes in on Tuesday. Thanks for the update.

jfong425 · 09-13-2013, 03:58 PM

no problem man! took 2 days to fix, so hopefully you get a loaner!

Arcite · 12-01-2013, 11:48 AM

I had my car into the dealership, and they replaced the muffler flap actuator, but it didn't fix the problem. I got the sense they were stumped. What do people out there think--should I give this same dealership another chance (they'll probably think I'm a PITA,) or take it to another dealership?

Sunny D · 12-01-2013, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcite

I had my car into the dealership, and they replaced the muffler flap actuator, but it didn't fix the problem. I got the sense they were stumped. What do people out there think--should I give this same dealership another chance (they'll probably think I'm a PITA,) or take it to another dealership?

It does not have to be the flap, the issue is a clogged vacuum line. Try my advice above and unplug the flap to see if the noise goes away. If it does, you have the same issue as us.

Miller335 · 12-01-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ry335

Glad to hear! Let me know what your dealer says about a fix. I'm not brining mine in until Mid Sept.

If that fixed it the driver side muffler will need to be replaced.

Something happens with the flap and how it sits in there, going off of other threads it seems there is no repair, just replacement.

My 07 only has 26K on it and has the same issue, in fact I think everyone has this issue at some point.

I just keep it unplugged.

Arcite · 12-01-2013, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ry335

It does not have to be the flap, the issue is a clogged vacuum line. Try my advice above and unplug the flap to see if the noise goes away. If it does, you have the same issue as us.

It does. I even told the service advisor at the dealership that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller335

If that fixed it the driver side muffler will need to be replaced.

Something happens with the flap and how it sits in there, going off of other threads it seems there is no repair, just replacement.

Then how do you explain that other people say they have had the problem fixed with a vacuum line replacement?

Arcite · 12-09-2013, 04:10 PM

Well, bad news. I took my car back to the dealership for this noise. This time I did a road test with the technician, who did hear it. However, they just called me and said they had several techs including the master tech drive it, and they all thought it was normal and there wasn't anything they could do about it. Any suggestions? This seems like such a minor noise, but it's incredibly irritating, and it's frustrating knowing that others have been able to get it fixed.

08-28-2013, 01:05 AM	#1
jfong425 New Member 3 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Alpine White Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Electrical Buzzing Sound I know a very high pitched buzzing sound can come from anywhere, but it just gets annoying. I have a 2011 335i LCI. From start-up, you can hear the super high pitched buzzing. It's pretty hard to notice, but if you listen closely you can hear it. After about 30 seconds, the buzzing goes away, but buzzes again when passing 10mph. I brought it into BMW and they said it's normal. They said it had the same buzz as other 335i. Does anyone else have this sound? Thanks, JayF
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08-28-2013, 07:55 AM	#2
Sunny D Second Lieutenant 47 Rep 250 Posts Drives: 2017 F80 ZCP Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: ATL iTrader: (2)	I can help! Same car, same problem, and I have been fighting it for just about eight months. Turns out, it is the vacuum line that control the flap in the left exhaust port. The flap closes on startup (for about 30 seconds) and then closes when the car is in 5th and 6th gear. To confirm do this: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80661 That disables the flap. If it goes away, you have the same problem. I took the car to my dealer yesterday and they confirmed the issue, but, they said fixing it will be tough and take time because they have to find where the leak is coming from. So I am driving around with the flap open (kinda cool anyway) with no noise. Hopefully will get it fixed next month when I leave them the car for a week. __________________ Current - 2017 AW F80 ZCP Past - 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Past - 2011 AW E90 335i
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08-28-2013, 01:14 PM	#3
jfong425 New Member 3 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Alpine White Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	so does keeping that exhaust open have any negative affects? I might try it at lunch and drive home with it (about a 25 mile trip)
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08-28-2013, 06:42 PM	#5
jfong425 New Member 3 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Alpine White Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	how'd you describe this to the dealership? I know some of the mechanics in my area from high school so hopefully they'll be nice if I sound like a novice.
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08-28-2013, 09:23 PM	#13
jfong425 New Member 3 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Alpine White Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Will do. Keep me posted on yours as well.
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09-11-2013, 04:48 PM	#14
jfong425 New Member 3 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Alpine White Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Sup Ryan, I brought my car in to get fixed by BMW. They said it was a "Clogged" vacuum line. I'll get it back in a few hours. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks again for the help! Have you fixed yours yet? Thanks JayF
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09-11-2013, 07:39 PM	#15
jfong425 New Member 3 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Alpine White Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	And it's gone!!!! Plus they detailed the car!
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09-13-2013, 03:58 PM	#17
jfong425 New Member 3 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Alpine White Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	no problem man! took 2 days to fix, so hopefully you get a loaner!
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12-01-2013, 11:48 AM	#18
Arcite New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Cleveland iTrader: (0)	I had my car into the dealership, and they replaced the muffler flap actuator, but it didn't fix the problem. I got the sense they were stumped. What do people out there think--should I give this same dealership another chance (they'll probably think I'm a PITA,) or take it to another dealership?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-09-2013, 04:10 PM	#22
Arcite New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Cleveland iTrader: (0)	Well, bad news. I took my car back to the dealership for this noise. This time I did a road test with the technician, who did hear it. However, they just called me and said they had several techs including the master tech drive it, and they all thought it was normal and there wasn't anything they could do about it. Any suggestions? This seems like such a minor noise, but it's incredibly irritating, and it's frustrating knowing that others have been able to get it fixed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote