Engine Whine - not audio related

[a2e1k]

2001 X5 4.4i sport 100k mi
I've noticed that my engine whines in the 1,000-2,000 rpm range but has it's usual roar above that range and the usual idle below.

The whine sounds like a child's battery operated toy (like those little battery powered trucks for kids) and is pretty annoying not to mention high-pitched. I've been reading other engine whine threads but have found that they relate mostly to installing the ipod or a new sound system which I've done neither.

I thought it was related to the cold weather but even when the car and weather warmed up more recently i still hear that duracell operated sound... it's driving me crazy

Any ideas?

[Weasel]

If the noise your describing has nothing to do with the sound system, and sounds like it is coming from under the hood... and especially if it varies with engine speed. I would bet on the idler pulley and tensioner pulleys of the belt system.

Those would be #3 (which is part of #2) and #17 on this link

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...12&hg=11&fg=18

[X Foomph]

Shame you haven't got the same symtoms of another poster a few months ago as it was easily fixed.

Turns out he had a really bad whining sound from the front of the cabin every time he hit the accellerator really hard. If he drove sedately their was no noise but when he put the pedal to the medal this ungodly whining sound could be heard.

He asked his wife to stay at home while he tested it a few times under full throttle and voila the noise was gone
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

[fatboyoz]

Originally Posted by a2e1k

2001 X5 4.4i sport 100k mi
I've noticed that my engine whines in the 1,000-2,000 rpm range but has it's usual roar above that range and the usual idle below.

The whine sounds like a child's battery operated toy (like those little battery powered trucks for kids) and is pretty annoying not to mention high-pitched. I've been reading other engine whine threads but have found that they relate mostly to installing the ipod or a new sound system which I've done neither.

I thought it was related to the cold weather but even when the car and weather warmed up more recently i still hear that duracell operated sound... it's driving me crazy

Any ideas?

\

You could try switching the air-con compressor off. Mine sometimes makes a high pitched whine.

[a2e1k]

Thank you for all responding, I will invistigate further using your advice and let you know how it goes. I don't know if it's related but the 'service engine soon' light is sometimes on and sometimes not. It feels like i'm bleeding power in that low rpm range when I get the sound.
I hate losing power...

[a2e1k]

ok, I just tried the a/c unit like fatboyoz suggested and that didn't fix the problem - I'm afraid it might be the more expensive problem that weasel was describing. I plan on getting to the mechanic this week and will update. Thanks again everyone

[BMWLOVER]

Mine also makes a whining noise while it is at idle or below 2000 rpm. If I turn the climate control fully off the noise goes away. Is this something I should be worried about? It is a 2005 4.4i.

[BMWLOVER]

Oh yea also is it normal for the x5 to vibrate a little bit when I have all the heated seats on and the heat on low setting. If I turn it off the noise and the vibration goes away.

[primetime]

Idle tensionor pulley. Same noise. Same whine. It will get louder and worse as more time goes by. I waited about 5 months before i couldnt take it anymore. Its cheap to fix.

I don't know about the heated seat vibrating thing though.

[BMWLOVER]

Thanks for the reply. I will have it checked out. Should I just go to the service rep. and tell him to check my idle tensionor pulley? or something esle? I don't really want to just tell them that it makes a noise and then they have to keep the x5 for longer trying to find out where the noise is coming from.

Also anyone have any info on the vibration?