Noise from Dashboard like a electrical fan is blowing even with engine off
 

Hello all,

There is a weird sound from the center console (around ashtray and climate control area) of dashboard within our 2004 x5. The sound is there even when engine is off and no key in ignition.

To quote another member, "The sound is like the sound that of when a CD is put in a CD drive in a computer and it starts running in the computer, or Sometimes it sounds like there is a electrical fan noise blowing from the dashboard."

Is this normal?

thx,

Thats wierd I have the exact same noise every once in a while, it hasnt happened for a while but am curious as to what caused it

I noticed it only today because the noise is very low and even with engine off you can barely hear it. I had to keep my ear near the ashtray to hear it well. I now recalled that a few months ago when the car was still under warranty at one of my service routines the dealer said there is a noise from dashboard and they wanted the car for one day to see what it is. Since I hadn't heard it myself I thought nothing of it and thus didn't take it back, which I now regret.

M.

About 2.5 years ago, the same thing happened to me and then I figured out what happened...your Final Stage Resistor is overheating and it is trying to cool itself down. Eventually, it may drain your battery!
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...Stage+Resistor

Have your mechanic check your Final Stage Resistor which is part of your HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning aka Climate Control).

Good luck.

Thanks, Kewl. But wouldn't you say that in Massachusetts sub zero temperature and that the car has stayed overnight this fan should not still be trying to cool itself down ?!?

Best regards,

I checked again this morning. Without even a key in ignition the sound is louder and has a clicking noise to it for a few seconds after I open the door but then goes back down to the low noise of a cd or a low speed electrical fan.

Is there any kind of fan running for HVAC to circulate the air even when the car is off?

Thanks,

Your sure it is from the dash? Could you be hearing the engine fan running? It runs on after the motor is turned off in order to cool down the radiator.

Just asking just in case it isn't the resistor thing mentioned by kewl.

It's definitely not the engine fan. It may be that if you took your ear near the HVAC instrument cluster of your x5 you may hear it too and it could be normal. I will take it to dealer on Tuesday although I haven't had any problems such as battery.

Just change out the resistor and see if it stops.

*** Important Update ***
 

Hello all,

Just came back from the dealer. It's normal for the two small fans right at the HVAC instrument clusters to run for twenty minutes after even removing the keys. It has to do with a convenience package that after twice explaining to me I still do not follow. He said a lot of people don't even know that this feature exists.

So, if you hear this fan noise. It's normal.

with best regards,
Mohammad