Anyone else have a medal 'clicking' noise with AM a/c?

[GPSnV1]

I took in my X for a couple of items, the most irritating being a noise every morning where there is a 'clanking' or medal clicking noise coming from the dash. The noise disappears when I turn off the a/c. I never check this in the afternoon because I have quiet meditation drives in the AM but music when I leave work.

My regular service rep was not in and the substitute was bold enough to say that I didn't know the difference between the noise of a key chain and something from the dash. That reasoning was based on the basis that I use comfort in the AM but the key in the afternoon. I can't wait to write up his review.

Fortunately, I had videotaped several mornings that showed the car in motion and at stop signs and the service rep and the tech have all heard my recordings.

The tech plans to do a cold start tomorrow trying to imitate my normal morning drive so I just wondered if anyone else had run into this. It certainly sounds to me like the motor (gears?) that moves those a/c doors is going bad.

[GPSnV1]

Well, the tech heard the same sound this morning that I've recorded over 3 weeks. So he has the dash open trying to get at it.

I just hope he gets it right because when I had a different clicking sound in the dash in the 2004 X5, they had my vehicle for 2 weeks before finally making the correct repair.

[GPSnV1]

I am posting a link to a video clip from my dv camera to express my frustration with what the dealer told me after keeping my 2008 X5 for 5 days. I was told the tech 'took the dash apart' and his judgment confirmed by the service supervisor was that what I was hearing was "normal". When I asked my service rep why I only heard it for the last 3-4 weeks, he then suggested that I simply did not hear it during the previous three of months of driving 4.5K miles. (Reminds me of the sub rep who thought I didn't know the difference between my key chain noise [in my pocket, no less, using Comfort] and a/c doors.)

I was also told that were I not using the "auto" mode that the sound would not be present. I asked what they meant by "auto" mode since I do not push the "auto" button and was told that by setting the tempts on both controls and not manually changing the vents to feet only or dash vents only that the doors would open and close thus causing the noise I find irritating.

I don't know what the cause of the problem is but the first 1/2 mile I drive every morning is a service street full of potholes. I avoid as many dips as possible but sometimes there is no choice when traffic is thick. But then again I really don't know if this is a factor in this situation or if that shaking of the vehicle does something to the a/c doors.

I have only driven the X for two mornings since getting it back from the dealer, but the noise is still present although for the moment not as pronounced or prolonged as before.

I am willing to talk directly to the local service super, but before I do that or move on to BMW NA, I wanted some feedback about how this is viewed by others. I know the medal clicking noise - which is much louder inside the cabin than on the clip - is a recent development. I did not hear it in my X nor any of the others I drove before making the purchase. I'm sure the results would be the same if I drove a new one sitting on the dealer's lot.

Anyway the video clip may be found at http://www.pctii.org/E70.htm

[peterjaw]

Originally Posted by GPSnV1

I am posting a link to a video clip from my dv camera to express my frustration with what the dealer told me after keeping my 2008 X5 for 5 days. I was told the tech 'took the dash apart' and his judgment confirmed by the service supervisor was that what I was hearing was "normal". When I asked my service rep why I only heard it for the last 3-4 weeks, he then suggested that I simply did not hear it during the previous three of months of driving 4.5K miles. (Reminds me of the sub rep who thought I didn't know the difference between my key chain noise [in my pocket, no less, using Comfort] and a/c doors.)

I was also told that were I not using the "auto" mode that the sound would not be present. I asked what they meant by "auto" mode since I do not push the "auto" button and was told that by setting the tempts on both controls and not manually changing the vents to feet only or dash vents only that the doors would open and close thus causing the noise I find irritating.

I don't know what the cause of the problem is but the first 1/2 mile I drive every morning is a service street full of potholes. I avoid as many dips as possible but sometimes there is no choice when traffic is thick. But then again I really don't know if this is a factor in this situation or if that shaking of the vehicle does something to the a/c doors.

I have only driven the X for two mornings since getting it back from the dealer, but the noise is still present although for the moment not as pronounced or prolonged as before.

I am willing to talk directly to the local service super, but before I do that or move on to BMW NA, I wanted some feedback about how this is viewed by others. I know the medal clicking noise - which is much louder inside the cabin than on the clip - is a recent development. I did not hear it in my X nor any of the others I drove before making the purchase. I'm sure the results would be the same if I drove a new one sitting on the dealer's lot.

Anyway the video clip may be found at http://www.pctii.org/E70.htm

I have the same issue as well. The noise is "always" there once I turn on A/C. If I turn on fan only, then it is noise free.

However, I know the technician have to open the dash, so I decide to "ignore" the noise. Otherwise, they may bring me some extra problems and tell me the noise is "normal".

[Texas5]

I have the same issue. Very intermittent and very frustrating. I wasn't going to even bring it up with the dealer, assuming they would just give me the "could not replicate" BS and look at me like I was crazy. Sounds to me like it's related to the AC ductwork.

I also have a metallic ticking noise coming from the driver's seatbelt base in the door pillar. Any takers on that one?

[Stroy]

I have the same clicking sound that seems to come and go. It only happens when I have the ac on. I always use the automatic climate control. I haven't been to the dealer yet regarding this matter because I also figured they'd not be able to reproduce the sound just like they couldn't with the squeaking from the rear hatch. I figure I'll wait for a bit and see if it goes away. Sorry to hear about your treatment at the dealership.

[smv]

There are 2 things to consider, both can be fixed in an hour's visit to the dealer:
1. Glove box top cover part (not the wood, but the dash -like material)
My 07/X5, and most X5s in the hor region of Middle East are affected. The problem is the expansion of the material, that is glued to the base of the cover and it's shirinkning due to the A/C. Mine was off, actually pilled of at around 20,oooKMS, or in 9 months from purchase. Apparently there is a recall internally to all dealers to change the Glove box top cover at first demand. Talking quality here... To make things worse, the replaced part started tiking again after a couple months !!!!

2. A/C fan. There is a well known issue here as well. First time I complaint to the dealer about strange noises wehen A/C is on and on turns or bumps, resulting in irregular noise or fan speed, the dealer offered to immedaitely change the fan on the spot, in less than 20 min.

To conclude, after 2 battery drains and subsequent replacement of batteries, one alternator off (covered by warranty) plus the 2 incidents above, I decided to sell my 1yr old E70, with 22,000KMs at a price almost equal to what I bought a year ago (EUR/USD exchange) and move out of BMW completely. With 5 yrs on the brand and consecutive cars, I only experienced frequent visits to dealers, price increases for the same car (E53 --> E70) and huge drop in quality of materials.... Sorry BMW, not my call anymore....!

[GPSnV1]

Originally Posted by smv

There are 2 things to consider, both can be fixed in an hour's visit to the dealer:
1. Glove box top cover part (not the wood, but the dash -like material)
My 07/X5, and most X5s in the hor region of Middle East are affected. The problem is the expansion of the material, that is glued to the base of the cover and it's shirinkning due to the A/C. Mine was off, actually pilled of at around 20,oooKMS, or in 9 months from purchase. Apparently there is a recall internally to all dealers to change the Glove box top cover at first demand. Talking quality here... To make things worse, the replaced part started tiking again after a couple months !!!!

2. A/C fan. There is a well known issue here as well. First time I complaint to the dealer about strange noises wehen A/C is on and on turns or bumps, resulting in irregular noise or fan speed, the dealer offered to immedaitely change the fan on the spot, in less than 20 min.

To conclude, after 2 battery drains and subsequent replacement of batteries, one alternator off (covered by warranty) plus the 2 incidents above, I decided to sell my 1yr old E70, with 22,000KMs at a price almost equal to what I bought a year ago (EUR/USD exchange) and move out of BMW completely. With 5 yrs on the brand and consecutive cars, I only experienced frequent visits to dealers, price increases for the same car (E53 --> E70) and huge drop in quality of materials.... Sorry BMW, not my call anymore....!

Thanks for all the feedback. SMV, do you remember enough about the noise you heard to say how it compares to the sound on my video clip?

In terms of the earlier posts, I thought we were getting something like an unofficial concensus that in fact this problem was common in the E70s. If that is true and if none of the suggestionss made so far or in new posts resolve the problem, then I want to go to BMWNA and complain about a BMW flaw. I will also report this when given the annual survey by Consumer Reports and any other avenue available to me.

BTW, those who have this same problem, do you remember if it was that way from the start? I took delivery in early June but did not hear the clicking until August.

In terms of the fact that this noise is not constant, the one thing I can say is that it will make this noise on command every morning. I simply don't know enough about afternoons because this is not on my mind at that time and I turn up the stereo and jet home.

I am perplexed at the moment as I'm not sure what kind of reception the dealer will give me if I return insisting that they recheck what they claim was an exhaustive and conclusive finding that everything was as it should be.

[smv]

The noise in your video is most likely due to the fan of the A/C. It resembles a lot mine before it started going off. To check if your fan is in health, just try taking an exit on a highway and see if the fan speed decreases or increases. If this is the case, then the bearings on the axle are off, and this is why it wistles (assuming the fan blades touch the housing....) If however you hear squeacking sounds coming from anywhere near the passengers dashboard, it is definitely the glove cover flap. Both noises, extremely irritating and unjustified for such a car/brand....

[GPSnV1]

My morning commute is relative short and only on surface streets albiet mostly 4 lanes. So I have not yet been able to do the highway test you suggest.

However, for the last two mornings when I turn off the a/c and leave on the fans there is no clicking noise. As soon as the a/c comes on then the noise starts again.

There are times when I can hear the a/c 'doors' open and close but that does not sound the same to me at the medical clicking noise.

I am somewhat reluctant to press my case at the moment because since getting the X back, the noise is not yet as loud. However, it seems to be gaining volume every week so once we are back to where I was then I will start again with the dealer.

I wish I could remember what the solution was to a dash clicking sound in my 2004 4.4 sport. It took them 2 weeks to sort it out, but they finally found the solution.

Updated to say I did the freeway exit test and the fan did not change speed. Also I do not hear any squeak coming from the glove box.