"Lever click" sound when I start up my car.... anyone have this too?

BigMikeTwn · 12-05-2011, 01:07 AM

I've noticed that whenever I go to start up my car in the morning (or whenever it's been parked for a few hours), I can hear a slight level click movement coming from below the car right under my feet near the pedals.....

It only happens once---so I'm wondering what exactly goes on when the car is started... is some sort of lever or
valve opened/closed or....?

Can anyone else confirm this or is this just my car doing this......?

It's a 523i F10.

hamanncheese · 12-05-2011, 06:17 PM

I've heard that same sound, but have always thought it was something shifting in my left hand side glovebox (I store my Valentine 1 radar detector in there). Happens every morning after a cold start-up.

jxnco · 12-05-2011, 09:25 PM

I have this too. I hear a clicking sound on the right side of my car near the wheel well. This happens every morning whenever I start my car. Not sure what it is though.

ceb · 12-05-2011, 10:12 PM

Are you guys talking about the shift interlock relay clicking?

BigMikeTwn · 12-06-2011, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceb

Are you guys talking about the shift interlock relay clicking?

Eh.... what's that?

It does sound like some sort of relay or electronic lever moving into position or something like that. Just never heard anything like that on my E60 but with the F10, it's there....

Hmm.. Interesting to hear people hearing that sound on the right side....but that might be because of the difference in driver sides? (HK's on the right).

Fantasm · 12-06-2011, 02:21 AM

Who cares? as long as its normal (which since everyone has it....)

ceb · 12-06-2011, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMikeTwn

Eh.... what's that?

It does sound like some sort of relay or electronic lever moving into position or something like that. Just never heard anything like that on my E60 but with the F10, it's there....

Hmm.. Interesting to hear people hearing that sound on the right side....but that might be because of the difference in driver sides? (HK's on the right).

Automatics can't be started without stepping on the brakes. Stepping on the brakes trips the relay that allows ignition. The same relay allows you to shift out of park.

I'd bet that you hear this sound when you step on the brakes to start the car - right?

BigMikeTwn · 12-07-2011, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceb

Automatics can't be started without stepping on the brakes. Stepping on the brakes trips the relay that allows ignition. The same relay allows you to shift out of park.

I'd bet that you hear this sound when you step on the brakes to start the car - right?

No, it's not the brakes. It's a sound that happens about 30 seconds to 90 seconds AFTER the car's been started......

ceb · 12-08-2011, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMikeTwn

No, it's not the brakes. It's a sound that happens about 30 seconds to 90 seconds AFTER the car's been started......

Ahhh, OK. I suspect it is some AC relay then.

nairrr · 07-27-2012, 04:25 AM

Hi All,
Has anyone got this fix by now?
Anyone tried complaining to BMW dealer?

I just bought a second hand E60 facelift model which has the joystick transmission and having the same clacking noise during startup.
Maybe in the non-facelifted E60 it doesn't happen because its still using the conventional transmission.

Thank you.

BigKutta · 07-27-2012, 07:19 AM

Mine makes 2 clicking sounds right after I drive off. Sounds like it its coming from under my feet somewhere

ajandhek · 07-27-2012, 08:47 AM

my car does that as well and so does my wife's audi a4...do u think it has anything to do with the abs or awd?

marcielago · 07-27-2012, 03:06 PM

I spoke to the service advisor and he confirmed to me that this is a normal thing and happens to all F10's. I actually did not ask him what is that exactly.

I diregard this sound now. Been driving the car for 1.5 years now

EV0LVE · 07-27-2012, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajandhek

my car does that as well and so does my wife's audi a4...do u think it has anything to do with the abs or awd?

Yes its a system check. So im told...

nairrr · 07-27-2012, 11:47 PM

I've just checked with BMW dealer, they say its normal... Some car just a "tik", some much louder "clak"...

I've also notice that if my last gear position is on R then press the P button, shutdown the car and start again later on, the noise is only a small "tik"

But if my last gear position is on D or N then press the P button, shutdown the car and start again later on, the noise is much more louder "clak"

Anybody notice? or is it the same all he way...

half man half amazin · 07-28-2012, 08:10 PM

Have never noticed this.

12-05-2011, 01:07 AM	#1
BigMikeTwn Private Drives: BMW 523i F10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Taipei, Taiwan Posts: 79 iTrader: (0)	"Lever click" sound when I start up my car.... anyone have this too? I've noticed that whenever I go to start up my car in the morning (or whenever it's been parked for a few hours), I can hear a slight level click movement coming from below the car right under my feet near the pedals..... It only happens once---so I'm wondering what exactly goes on when the car is started... is some sort of lever or valve opened/closed or....? Can anyone else confirm this or is this just my car doing this......? It's a 523i F10.
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12-06-2011, 02:21 AM	#6
Fantasm Private First Class Drives: SL63 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: DTLA Posts: 176 iTrader: (1)	Who cares? as long as its normal (which since everyone has it....) __________________ Now: 2011 Ferrari 458, 2013 BMW M5, 2009 MB E350, 2005 BMW M3 w/ Gintani SC&Meth Gone: '12 Ferrari California, 07 Maserati QP SportGT, 09 GTR - 535AWHP, 09 Merc SL63 AMG, 08 Porsche Cayenne GTS, 08 BMW 335i, 05 Merc E55, 08 Honda S2000, 04 Merc SL55, 04 BMW M3 ++ many more (~30 in all)

07-27-2012, 03:06 PM	#13
marcielago Private First Class Drives: SG F10 550i MS, CB E39 M5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 161 iTrader: (0)	I spoke to the service advisor and he confirmed to me that this is a normal thing and happens to all F10's. I actually did not ask him what is that exactly. I diregard this sound now. Been driving the car for 1.5 years now __________________ F10 550i M-sport: Space Grey/Oyster Black E39 M5 : Carbon Black/Caramel E39 520i : Titanium Silver/Beige (Sold)

07-28-2012, 08:10 PM	#16
half man half amazin First Lieutenant Drives: 2012 F10 550i M sport Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Las vegas Posts: 355 iTrader: (0)	Have never noticed this. __________________ Then: 2011 E92 //M3 SSII DCT Now: 2012 F10 550i Carbon Black M Sport

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12-05-2011, 06:17 PM	#2
hamanncheese Private Drives: 535i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 53 iTrader: (0)	I've heard that same sound, but have always thought it was something shifting in my left hand side glovebox (I store my Valentine 1 radar detector in there). Happens every morning after a cold start-up.

12-05-2011, 09:25 PM	#3
jxnco First Lieutenant Drives: BMW F10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 358 iTrader: (0)	I have this too. I hear a clicking sound on the right side of my car near the wheel well. This happens every morning whenever I start my car. Not sure what it is though.

12-05-2011, 10:12 PM	#4
ceb NHTSA Nazi Drives: 335ix Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MD Posts: 1,975 iTrader: (1)	Are you guys talking about the shift interlock relay clicking?

07-27-2012, 04:25 AM	#10
nairrr Registered Drives: BMW E60 523i 2008 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Jakarta Posts: 2 iTrader: (0)	Hi All, Has anyone got this fix by now? Anyone tried complaining to BMW dealer? I just bought a second hand E60 facelift model which has the joystick transmission and having the same clacking noise during startup. Maybe in the non-facelifted E60 it doesn't happen because its still using the conventional transmission. Thank you.

07-27-2012, 07:19 AM	#11
BigKutta Lieutenant Drives: 2012 528i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington DC Posts: 529 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 528i [0.00] 2012 BMW 528i [0.00]	Mine makes 2 clicking sounds right after I drive off. Sounds like it its coming from under my feet somewhere

07-27-2012, 08:47 AM	#12
ajandhek Private Drives: none Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 75 iTrader: (0)	my car does that as well and so does my wife's audi a4...do u think it has anything to do with the abs or awd?

07-27-2012, 11:47 PM	#15
nairrr Registered Drives: BMW E60 523i 2008 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Jakarta Posts: 2 iTrader: (0)	I've just checked with BMW dealer, they say its normal... Some car just a "tik", some much louder "clak"... I've also notice that if my last gear position is on R then press the P button, shutdown the car and start again later on, the noise is only a small "tik" But if my last gear position is on D or N then press the P button, shutdown the car and start again later on, the noise is much more louder "clak" Anybody notice? or is it the same all he way...