Weird whine coming from center console

[Zcruizer]

Hey all, I have a whining sound that seems like it's coming from the center dash area. I first noticed it a couple years ago in my 2001 z3. I now hear it in my 2000 740. In both cars it doesn't happen until about 70 mph and becomes louder as the speed increases, however, it doesn't always do it. Now that I hear it in two very different cars, it obviously has to be a shared component. It sounds almost like the dentists air tools except a slightly lower pitch. Does anyone have the same problem or know the fix.

James LeCompte

[1996 328ti]

Nothing to do with the AC?

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Probably transmission or center support bearing whine. In the E46es, BMW started ballasting the CSB with a butyl strip (essentially dynamat), adding it to production and offering it as a retrofit for earlier cars.

You can try adding a butyl strip, but in all likelihood that'll be a partial fix at best. And it's a lot of effort for limited return.

[mcoupemindy]

Hey all, I have a whining sound that seems like it's coming from the center dash area. I first noticed it a couple years ago in my 2001 z3. I now hear it in my 2000 740. In both cars it doesn't happen until about 70 mph and becomes louder as the speed increases, however, it doesn't always do it. Now that I hear it in two very different cars, it obviously has to be a shared component. It sounds almost like the dentists air tools except a slightly lower pitch. Does anyone have the same problem or know the fix.

James LeCompte

You need a louder exhaust and you'll forget all about that whine

[Zcruizer]

It's funny you say that about the exhaust, when I have the top down it's not a problem. That solves 90% of the z3's problem. The 7 on the other hand doesn't have that option. It certainly has the sound of a bad bearing but would it only show itself at a certain speed? It doesn't happen all the time and it sounds very close, like it's in the dash. Although I can't beleive it's the a/c, I won't rule that out yet. Even with the climate control off, what could make that noise? My wife has an e46 that has had the craziest problems, but this isn't one of them. Weird !!

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

The classic symptoms in an E46 are light throttle starting at about 70-75mph.

[1996 328ti]

Although I can't beleive it's the a/c, I won't rule that out yet. Even with the climate control off, what could make that noise?

My ti would make a loud groaring sound when the cabin was hot and you turned on the AC. I think it was the expansion valve? I could be wrong about the part.
But it only happened when you turned on the AC and the cabin was hot. So if it doesn't do that when it's off, then the problem is elsewhere.

[spidertri]

The classic symptoms in an E46 are light throttle starting at about 70-75mph.

Hmmm, I've noticed a weird whine coming from the center behind me when lightly on the throttle only in 5th on the highway. As soon as I'm off the throttle the noise goes away, when I get back on it, the noise comes back.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

In a ti with an E30 style diff, I'd go with diff whine, especially if you're hearing the noise from behind. If you're running any poly rear suspension bushings, they definitely won't help.

[1996 328ti]

Hmmm, I've noticed a weird whine coming from the center behind me when lightly on the throttle only in 5th on the highway. As soon as I'm off the throttle the noise goes away, when I get back on it, the noise comes back.

In a ti with an E30 style diff, I'd go with diff whine, especially if you're hearing the noise from behind. If you're running any poly rear suspension bushings, they definitely won't help.

Maybe center load bearing?

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

*shrug* CSB noise has never sounded like it was coming from behind me.

[Bob]

He said center "DASH" area, that sounds like the climate control sensor fan, it can get noisy, runs sometimes with ign. off!

[Zcruizer]

Hey Bob, I think they're responding to Spidertri. My sound is definitely coming from the center dash area, or at least resonating through it. The z3 doesn't have auto-climate control. It's old school; fan speed knob, temp. knob, vent choice knob. Would it have the climate control sensor fan?

[Bob]

Dunno, my 94 had it, not a digital climate deal, just dual rotary temp. knobs . I just remember hearing it run now and then, and wondering what it was?

[spidertri]

In a ti with an E30 style diff, I'd go with diff whine, especially if you're hearing the noise from behind. If you're running any poly rear suspension bushings, they definitely won't help.

Yeah, it could definitely be diff whine, I do have urethane subframe bushings.

Hey Bob, I think they're responding to Spidertri. My sound is definitely coming from the center dash area, or at least resonating through it. The z3 doesn't have auto-climate control. It's old school; fan speed knob, temp. knob, vent choice knob. Would it have the climate control sensor fan?

Sorry for jacking your thread Zcruiser, I try my best not to do that...