Weird motor sound when unlocking door?

Dinh335 · 05-13-2013, 01:31 PM

Every morning i unlock my car first from passenger side, as I take my kid to school and seat is in rear right. Or im opening door for wife.

With comfort Access, and same key fob i use each day, slide hand under handle. Some days i hear a really loud motor sound some days its louder than others and whatever motor thing it is sounds like its struggling.

What is it? Sorry i searched and if this is a common thing, my bad.

It's not the seats or mirrors as im using same fob. but it sounds like that. i can't see anything moving, but the noise is clear. I don't notice it as much when i do it from drivers door if I'm alone- so it seems like whatever it is is on the right side of car.

Chris@codemybimmer · 05-13-2013, 01:37 PM

its the fuel pump priming i believe
read something about this back in E90post

itwasepic · 05-13-2013, 05:17 PM

I also posted this exact same question. Consensus is that it is normal. For me, it sometimes is a long whooshing sound. Other times just a simple, muted thud.

bthuss · 05-13-2013, 05:21 PM

better yet, stick around for a while after you lock the car and listen to all the stuff going on over the next 30 seconds or so.

Dinh335 · 05-13-2013, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1lyfe

its the fuel pump priming i believe
read something about this back in E90post

as bthuss said, my car makes same noise when i lock it too. not sure why the fuel pump is priming then too?

billiebob · 05-14-2013, 08:53 AM

My vw also primed pump at this time.

elistan · 05-14-2013, 09:08 AM

I always thought it was the gas door unlocking. It uses a pin that slides in and out to do this. It's louder when you unlock from the passenger side. I'll stick my ear next to the gas door next time to confirm.

Dinh335 · 05-14-2013, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elistan

I always thought it was the gas door unlocking. It uses a pin that slides in and out to do this. It's louder when you unlock from the passenger side. I'll stick my ear next to the gas door next time to confirm.

this makes more sense thatn the fuel pump theory to me. as I hear the noise sometimes when locking too. I'll try to test it as well later.

64-bit · 05-14-2013, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bthuss

better yet, stick around for a while after you lock the car and listen to all the stuff going on over the next 30 seconds or so.

On my 2007 335xi with nav, if locked the car with myself in it, the dvd and noises would never stop, was crazy.

CLittle · 05-14-2013, 10:27 PM

I experienced the same noises sitting in my car when I first got it and toying with all the new features. Car had been off for a while and randomly, there would be the sounds of servos whirring and doing things. Kind of strange, I think we're used to a car being off when you turn it off. In this case, the bimmer looks at you and says yep, I'm off, we're good...when in reality, there's a huge to do list that it's running through.

DJ Rocc · 01-31-2016, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLittle

I experienced the same noises sitting in my car when I first got it and toying with all the new features. Car had been off for a while and randomly, there would be the sounds of servos whirring and doing things. Kind of strange, I think we're used to a car being off when you turn it off. In this case, the bimmer looks at you and says yep, I'm off, we're good...when in reality, there's a huge to do list that it's running through.

In my brothers New 2016 X1, we hear the mechanical noise a few seconds when closing or opening the drivers door. It seems like it is the electric steering lock engaging. Anyone else confirm?

beanbaguk · 02-01-2016, 03:49 AM

I have this on my F31 but also had it on my E87. If you open the bonnet (hood for our US cousins), you can actually see some mechanicals moving about.

I believe it has something to do with the ventilation system in the cabin and also air systems in the engine. It could also be the fuel pump priming too but I doubt that as it would flood if you kept locking and unlocking your car unless it has a sensor to avoid that.

Interesting to find out though.

maa335iF30 · 02-01-2016, 06:35 AM

I emailed this exact question to "BMW Tech Genius" some time ago, below was their response:

"That sound is the battery turning on and the low pressure fuel pump priming itself for driving. The vehicle is basically preparing itself to drive upon opening the door."

canukgtp · 02-01-2016, 10:21 AM

it's like the darn things are alive...well coming to life haha

05-13-2013, 01:31 PM	#1
Dinh335 Major 713 Rep 1,209 Posts Drives: 2004 RX8/2015 M3/2017 X5 35i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Arlington VA iTrader: (0)	Weird motor sound when unlocking door? Every morning i unlock my car first from passenger side, as I take my kid to school and seat is in rear right. Or im opening door for wife. With comfort Access, and same key fob i use each day, slide hand under handle. Some days i hear a really loud motor sound some days its louder than others and whatever motor thing it is sounds like its struggling. What is it? Sorry i searched and if this is a common thing, my bad. It's not the seats or mirrors as im using same fob. but it sounds like that. i can't see anything moving, but the noise is clear. I don't notice it as much when i do it from drivers door if I'm alone- so it seems like whatever it is is on the right side of car. __________________ 2015 Tanzanite Blue M3 /19 silver/exec/SS full leather/hk/cams/6speed_Wife 2017 x5 xdrive 35i
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05-13-2013, 01:37 PM	#2
Chris@codemybimmer BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 171 Rep 1,397 Posts Drives: AW F30 328i Xdrive Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	its the fuel pump priming i believe read something about this back in E90post
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05-13-2013, 05:17 PM	#3
itwasepic Private 17 Rep 89 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: The North iTrader: (0)	I also posted this exact same question. Consensus is that it is normal. For me, it sometimes is a long whooshing sound. Other times just a simple, muted thud.
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05-13-2013, 05:21 PM	#4
bthuss Private 0 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i - Alpine White Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	better yet, stick around for a while after you lock the car and listen to all the stuff going on over the next 30 seconds or so. __________________ Current: 2020 M340i \| 2017 R1200GS Rallye Previous: 2013 335xi M-Sport \| Infiniti FX50S
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05-14-2013, 08:53 AM	#6
billiebob Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 222 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	My vw also primed pump at this time.
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05-14-2013, 09:08 AM	#7
elistan First Lieutenant 38 Rep 387 Posts Drives: F30 328i, AP1 S2000 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Longmont, CO iTrader: (0)	I always thought it was the gas door unlocking. It uses a pin that slides in and out to do this. It's louder when you unlock from the passenger side. I'll stick my ear next to the gas door next time to confirm.
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05-14-2013, 10:27 PM	#10
CLittle Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 247 Posts Drives: 2013 328i Luxury Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	I experienced the same noises sitting in my car when I first got it and toying with all the new features. Car had been off for a while and randomly, there would be the sounds of servos whirring and doing things. Kind of strange, I think we're used to a car being off when you turn it off. In this case, the bimmer looks at you and says yep, I'm off, we're good...when in reality, there's a huge to do list that it's running through.
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02-01-2016, 03:49 AM	#12
beanbaguk Captain 455 Rep 938 Posts Drives: BMW G30 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Costa del Sol iTrader: (0)	I have this on my F31 but also had it on my E87. If you open the bonnet (hood for our US cousins), you can actually see some mechanicals moving about. I believe it has something to do with the ventilation system in the cabin and also air systems in the engine. It could also be the fuel pump priming too but I doubt that as it would flood if you kept locking and unlocking your car unless it has a sensor to avoid that. Interesting to find out though.
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02-01-2016, 06:35 AM	#13
maa335iF30 Second Lieutenant 126 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2016 F80 MG/SO Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW M3 [0.00]	I emailed this exact question to "BMW Tech Genius" some time ago, below was their response: "That sound is the battery turning on and the low pressure fuel pump priming itself for driving. The vehicle is basically preparing itself to drive upon opening the door." __________________ Current: 2016 F80 MG/SO MT Previous: 2015 F30 IB/SB 335i AT
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02-01-2016, 10:21 AM	#14
canukgtp First Lieutenant 107 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: New-Brunswick iTrader: (0)	it's like the darn things are alive...well coming to life haha __________________ 2018 F80 M3 6MT (current) 2014 F31 328i Touring (sold) 2008 E92 M3 6MT (sold) 2011 E90 335xi (lease up)
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