Dash Rattle/Popping Noise - Video

[davahad]

In the quest to rid my X5 of rattles I have posted another rattle/popping that is coming from the dash. The sound comes from either side of the dash around where the defroster blows air out.

Under the following conditions in the winter it is pretty bad for about the first 5 minutes of driving:

1.) Cold Mornings or Nights (35-50 Degrees).
2.) Pops/Rattles even more when the Defroster/Heater is on.
3.) Bumps/Moving car side to side quickly will make it happen more frequently

Here is a link to the video

X5 Rattles Video

In the summer it does not make this noise at all and in the winter after 5 minutes of driving the noise is gone. Also, turning on the defroster/heater makes the problem much worse.

Does anyone else have this problem? If so, did you get it fixed and what was the fix?

Someone PM'd me that is out of the USA that said they had the same or similar problem and it was mostly fixed by replacing "airtubes" in the dash.

[bren3085]

cant remember if it was you whom posted a similar thread awhile ago in regards to similar rattles..back then I had a similar rattle/buzzing coming from what I thought to be the gear shifter... dont know if it helps but they replaced the frame around the lower dash where the boot button, traction control and hill decent button is.

seemed to have solved the problem..

I had other rattles that were driving me nuts as well..but they were different from your ones..

- sunroof rattles going over rocky ground with the roof closed and moon roof showing (not an open sunroof)

-different rattling tail gate sound..they ended up tightening it which helped..but i'm still not completely satisfied.

- drivers door occasionally creates rattling sounds..

[wings]

I have an 08 x5 and have the exact same popping noise coming from behind the dash, Much much worse when defroster is on, and yes, non-existant in the summer. I actually turned my defroster off b/c it was so bad. Please post what you find out, I will be taking mine in for the fuel pump recall in the next few weeks and will mention it then.

[davahad]

Originally Posted by wings

I have an 08 x5 and have the exact same popping noise coming from behind the dash, Much much worse when defroster is on, and yes, non-existant in the summer. I actually turned my defroster off b/c it was so bad. Please post what you find out, I will be taking mine in for the fuel pump recall in the next few weeks and will mention it then.

Sorry to hear you have the same problem and yes the problem is much worse with the defroster on with mine also.

I took it in for an oil change today and had the tech ride with me and we were able to recreate the problem easily going 5 MPH as well as 45 MPH on flat straight ground.

Will post back with what they do to resolve.

[wings]

I'll be very interested to learn how they solve the problem!

[davahad]

Got the following update today from my service advisor:

"tech stated he has to remove some parts and insulate them to eliminate noise"

Car is supposed to be ready Friday and will report back then if the noise has been resolved and exactly what parts were insulated.

[ShantF1]

very cheap and easy way is to put some sponge pads in the middle of the latch on the rear seats. I don't know what you can do about the door panel, but I have also experienced tailgate rattle. The way to fix that is put black tape on the latches of the tail gate. I went to the dealer to ask why this is happening and they said its due to its stiff suspension. I also checked out and test drove a brand new x5 and experienced rattling noise from the seat (not much from the tailgate). I hope this helps.

09 BMW X5 xdrive48i (sport package)

[davahad]

New update today. Dash is out and BMW advised tech to isolate all contact points and all air tubes behind the dash. Looks like I might get it back on Friday if this fixes the noise.

[davahad]

Got the car back today and will test tomorrow morning to see if the popping noise is gone. The following are the tech notes on what was done to resolve the noise:

2 9590 INSTRUMENT PANEL POOR TOLERANCES CAUSING NOISE WITH AIR
DUCTS. TEST DROVE VEHICLE AND VERIFIED NOISE. PERFORMED TEST MODULE G5116_E70MECH1. SELECTED TOP DASHBOARD NOISES. PRESSING ON DASH WILL NOT CHANGE NOISE. CHECKED DASHBOARD FITTING. GAP IS EVEN AND CORRECT. FAULT PATTERN NOT COVERED BY TESTING PROCEDURE. DIAGCODE5116_MXG00000_99_902. TEST MODULE WAS INCONCLUSIVE. REMOVED LEFT AND RIGHT A-PILLAR COVERS. NOISE STILL PRESENT. REMOVED CENTER CONSOLE. NOISE STILL PRESENT. REMOVED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. APPLIED FRICTION TAPE ALONG CONTACTING EDGES OF AIR DUCTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL. REINSTALLED
REMOVED COMPONENTS. CLEARED FAULTS. TEST DROVE AND RECHECKED. NOISE NO LONGER PRESENT.

[Russian_M3]

had the same problem..

they had to take out the dash , it was a 6 hour job. fixed it.
covered by warranty.