[raquettelaker2]

UPDATE: Problem solved. See posts #9 and #15 for solution.

I've posted about this a couple other times in existing threads but everyone who had a similar noise has resolved it by adjusting/felting the steering column trim covers. I did that with no luck... then removed covers completely and it still rattled.

I used my phone to video moving around under the dash while it's rattling and it gets much louder down toward the footwell kick panel; not the column covers. Dealer had it all apart last week and added felt but it's still going. Using my foot to kick or apply pressure to the panel in various places also has no affect on the noise.

Has ANYONE ever had this issue and had it resolved? It seriously makes me HATE driving the car and I want to trade it for an A4. And no, turning up the radio doesn't mask it.

[jmg]

Have you taken it into the dealership? I had a slight rattle that drove me crazy and took it in. They said they had a specialist who deals with rattles and squeaks, but I don't know if they were just pulling my leg. They did end up taking apart my whole rear deck and seat, so it was extensive and it took a whole week! In the end though, the sound disappeared so it was totally worth being parted from my car that long. Good luck!

[raquettelaker2]

Originally Posted by jmg

Have you taken it into the dealership? I had a slight rattle that drove me crazy and took it in. They said they had a specialist who deals with rattles and squeaks, but I don't know if they were just pulling my leg. They did end up taking apart my whole rear deck and seat, so it was extensive and it took a whole week! In the end though, the sound disappeared so it was totally worth being parted from my car that long. Good luck!

I have... twice. And I just found out the last time that my manufacturer's warranty expired, so now I'm just on CPO, which doesn't cover rattles. Hopefully the fact they worked on it prior will make it free for them to keep digging.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by raquettelaker2

I have... twice. And I just found out the last time that my manufacturer's warranty expired, so now I'm just on CPO, which doesn't cover rattles. Hopefully the fact they worked on it prior will make it free for them to keep digging.

It should carry over if you attempted to address it while your factory warranty was still in effect.

[PK2348]

Originally Posted by jmg

Have you taken it into the dealership? I had a slight rattle that drove me crazy and took it in. They said they had a specialist who deals with rattles and squeaks, but I don't know if they were just pulling my leg. They did end up taking apart my whole rear deck and seat, so it was extensive and it took a whole week! In the end though, the sound disappeared so it was totally worth being parted from my car that long. Good luck!

On my first F30, i had a rattle at certain RPMs right by the gear snifter. Dealer addressed it, even though it required them to remove the transmission to get to the source of that rattle. I was impressed.

[kingmonkey8]

Check behind the panels to see if there's any wires or connectors rattling against the panels. If there is reposition the wires or wrap in cloth tape.

[p30amg08]

Originally Posted by jmg

It should carry over if you attempted to address it while your factory warranty was still in effect.

i tried that, they said no

[jmg]

Originally Posted by p30amg08

i tried that, they said no

Call BMWNA they can approve it.

[raquettelaker2]

Sorry for the late update but I think I fixed this (months ago):

I removed the kick panel under the dash on the driver side. It's 2 screws and then it pulls down with just some clips holding it in place. I made two adjustments under there and I think it's most probably the first one that killed the noise:

1). Just about above your left big toe where the dead pedal is there's a computer module that hangs down and it's in a really cheesy loose hanger clip/basket. If you tap on it a bit it'll probably make the rattle noise. I pulled the computer module down and lined the whole clip with adhesive felt and then shoved the module back in.

2). There's an emergency SOS speaker that locks into the kick panel trim just about over the gas pedal. I snapped that out and also re-seated it with some felt near the clips.

After all that I put it back together and it hasn't made the sound since. Otherwise I was about to light the car on fire.

[RMachuca3d]

I have that rattle too, but only on rougher highway patches, since i mostly drive on smooth highway i just dont hear it too often, if my whole commute involved that rattle i’d go nuts too lol.

[dvaz]

Originally Posted by raquettelaker2

Sorry for the late update but I think I fixed this (months ago):

I removed the kick panel under the dash on the driver side. It's 2 screws and then it pulls down with just some clips holding it in place. I made two adjustments under there and I think it's most probably the first one that killed the noise:

1). Just about above your left big toe where the dead pedal is there's a computer module that hangs down and it's in a really cheesy loose hanger clip/basket. If you tap on it a bit it'll probably make the rattle noise. I pulled the computer module down and lined the whole clip with adhesive felt and then shoved the module back in.

2). There's an emergency SOS speaker that locks into the kick panel trim just about over the gas pedal. I snapped that out and also re-seated it with some felt near the clips.

After all that I put it back together and it hasn't made the sound since. Otherwise I was about to light the car on fire.

Can confirm, i just did it last night. That skull piercing buzz is gone.

I wasn't able to pull down the module, but i just added on the parts between the module and the plastic hanger thingy and it seemed to work.

Just curious, how did you manage to pull down the module? I didn't want to pull it down without knowing if it was secured by something on top

[natesi]

I had this too -- same issue under the dash -- with the computer module buzzing around on rough roads. I think my 2016 328i has EVERY rattle known to exist in a 3-series (and more that I've never even heard people talk of before). It's infuriating.

[The Reverend]

Is it more of a rattle or a buzzing noise? My car has more of an infernal buzzing noise and over rough roads or highways, it will buzz straight into my skull. For me, it sounded like it was coming from the steering column or behind the dash on the driver side. If this fix works I won't be cutting off my ears so thank you.

[dvaz]

Originally Posted by The Reverend

Is it more of a rattle or a buzzing noise? My car has more of an infernal buzzing noise and over rough roads or highways, it will buzz straight into my skull. For me, it sounded like it was coming from the steering column or behind the dash on the driver side. If this fix works I won't be cutting off my ears so thank you.

Its a the buzz, a constant skull piercing buzz.

Its probably the same one, its the computer module rubbing against the plastic hanger. If you push the module up, you can see there is play between the module and the flimsy leg and the other parts.

Sounds its coming from the column or behind the dash but that because how the sound travels thru the vents.

[raquettelaker2]

Originally Posted by dvaz

Can confirm, i just did it last night. That skull piercing buzz is gone.

I wasn't able to pull down the module, but i just added on the parts between the module and the plastic hanger thingy and it seemed to work.

Just curious, how did you manage to pull down the module? I didn't want to pull it down without knowing if it was secured by something on top

I don't really remember if I actually did pull it down. I thought it at least was able to pop it down an inch or two to get felt up in around it and then shove it back up, but it was a while ago.

Originally Posted by The Reverend

Is it more of a rattle or a buzzing noise? My car has more of an infernal buzzing noise and over rough roads or highways, it will buzz straight into my skull. For me, it sounded like it was coming from the steering column or behind the dash on the driver side. If this fix works I won't be cutting off my ears so thank you.

It's a buzzing noise that was mostly aggravated by roughly paved roads but got bad enough that it would do it on freshly paved smooth roads too. I swore it was coming from the steering column too but I got to the point where I removed ALL The trim around the steering column and drove for a bit and it still buzzed. I finally got my iPhone out and started taking a video while I drove and held it in various places under the steering wheel, by the pedals, etc... When watching the video the sound was the loudest down in this area.


EDIT: I found a fuzzy picture of of the area from when I was in there back in May:

IMG_0850 by raquettelaker3, on Flickr

[SecretAsianMan]

THANK YOU for this post. My F30 has been driving me nuts with rattles since the day I got it, and despite about half a dozen trips to the dealer (CPO warranty) they haven't been able to get them all.

The last one sounded like it was coming from the steering column or the gauge cluster, only on rough roads or highway. No amount of pressing anywhere would change anything. You would *swear* the sound is coming from high up in the cabin, but I thought I'd take a look at your findings based on this post.

The panel for the lower dash needs to come out by removing 2 10mm nuts then pulling down to pop out some clips. You'll need a flashlight and ideally some felt tape, but you could probably snug things up with electrical or masking tape too.

The mentioned box of electronics seemed like the bracket might rattle a little so I padded where it contacted the clip with some felt tape. Then I checked the speaker that clips into the panel and the damned thing was so loose you could wiggle it back and forth 1-2mm or rotate it with almost no force. Of course this thing is rattling. Put some felt tape on the back of that too, pop the panel back on and VOILA no more noise.

My dealership's tech spent about 3 hours driving my car trying to find this rattle with no luck and 5 minutes with raquettelaker2's suggestion and it's fixed.

[Skyhigh]

Originally Posted by raquettelaker2

I don't really remember if I actually did pull it down. I thought it at least was able to pop it down an inch or two to get felt up in around it and then shove it back up, but it was a while ago.



It's a buzzing noise that was mostly aggravated by roughly paved roads but got bad enough that it would do it on freshly paved smooth roads too. I swore it was coming from the steering column too but I got to the point where I removed ALL The trim around the steering column and drove for a bit and it still buzzed. I finally got my iPhone out and started taking a video while I drove and held it in various places under the steering wheel, by the pedals, etc... When watching the video the sound was the loudest down in this area.


EDIT: I found a fuzzy picture of of the area from when I was in there back in May:

IMG_0850 by raquettelaker3, on Flickr

MANY, MANY, MANY thanks for sharing your experience!!!!! It is people like you who make forums be worth GOLD!!

I have been having this annoying buzzing noise, pretty much exactly like in your video further up, for some time now. It only comes on rough roads. It drove me nuts again 2 weeks ago during a 6 hour trip through the mountains, on icy and snowy roads.... I have a video but it will only duplicate yours.

Before making a video and moving the phone around as you did, I was confident it comes from around the HUD, instrument cluster, windshield or left vent.....

Based on the video I too was pretty sure it is coming from under the steering column! I was going to, but didn't get as far as disassembling there, thanks to the fact that I found this thread and your posts!!

As it turns out - it was the same source as you identified! The module is actually the surround view / side view cameras controller (in your case probably only a rear-view camera config). The thin plastic bracket which holds it in place apparently gets oscillated and resonates towards the controller!
I took some photos in the process to add to this thread, as help for the next:

This is the controller pulled halfway down from the bracket:


I disconnected the flat digital link connector to be able to drop it lower and taped it around with textile tape (the one used for wiring, as sound insulation). I also taped the two "ears" on the sides as well as the edges around the connectors where the plastic bracket hooks on it:



The controller reinstalled:





2 days after the fix, I drove another 600km through the mountains. The roads weren't as bad as the previous time, but still plenty of rough patches.... I did not hear the buzz once!!
(I did get a nasty stone chip instead, but that's another story )

Thank you once again!!
And I hope the photos and suggested fix above can be of help to the next with this rattle!