[Fishdog]

Hi All,

I'm a new member, but not new to the forums. I've looked around but can't seem to find anything about this particular sound/problem. Any help you can provide would be great! Thanks in advance.

I have a 2013 535xi. After a night of sitting in the garage, when I go out to put the kids in the back seat, and I close the door on the passenger side (either front or rear), I hear a rattle. It sounds like a loose heat shield, sort of a metal on metal sound. It also sounds like it's coming from the front of the car, under the engine or thereabout. Right after the rattle, I hear a faint hydraulic noise. When I open and close the door again, there is no rattle.

I have a feeling that it has something to do with the central locking, but I can't easily recreate it. It does happen each morning after the car's been sitting for a while. It also appears to be related to when I open the door with the fob in my pocket, and the central locking mechanism actuates, even though the locks are already unlocked.

I will try to open/close the door tomorrow morning without the fob in proximity to the door/vehicle and see what happens.

I've read posts here about how the 535's have various automatic mechanisms that engage at various times. I don't know if it could be one of those (e.g., climate system, turbo, water pump, ECU fan). But it doesn't seem like it would be related to those.

I would rather not take it to a dealer as a matter of principle.

Thanks,
John

[Fishdog]

So I recorded the sounds this morning.

Here is a video where I don't have the key fob on me when I open the door. At 0:10, you can hear a rattle or other mechanical sound when I open the door. If you turn up your volume high, you can also hear the sound of a hydraulic line pressurizing? (fuel pump?, auto leveling suspension?).

The second video is right afterward when I have the key fob on me. When I close the door at 0:07, you can hear the rattle/mechanical sound. It sounds like it's coming from the front of the car.

Please excuse the 2-year old talking about breakfast and wondering what I'm doing.

Any help identifying the sounds would be great - I don't know if it's something normal or if it's something I should take to an SA.

Thanks!

[Catfish454]

I believe it is the fuel pump, and mine makes the same sound…as well as a few other non-identiable noises. I never did hear the rattle you mentioned.

[ManiacGT]

Bloody hell... you're in an enclosed area where the slightest noise will be amplified. IMHO you are worrying over nothing, modern cars have all sorts of start up and shut down noises. I'm sorry if this offends, but I really can't believe you spent time even thinking about this never mind videos and posts about it!? Its hardly perceptible on the video. Go enjoy the car, stop worrying.

[konasunset]

Originally Posted by Fishdog

So I recorded the sounds this morning.

Here is a video where I don't have the key fob on me when I open the door. At 0:10, you can hear a rattle or other mechanical sound when I open the door. If you turn up your volume high, you can also hear the sound of a hydraulic line pressurizing? (fuel pump?, auto leveling suspension?).

The second video is right afterward when I have the key fob on me. When I close the door at 0:07, you can hear the rattle/mechanical sound. It sounds like it's coming from the front of the car.

Please excuse the 2-year old talking about breakfast and wondering what I'm doing.

Any help identifying the sounds would be great - I don't know if it's something normal or if it's something I should take to an SA.

Thanks!

get rid of the kid.

[Fishdog]

I've narrowed it down to some relays or switches clicking. I can reproduce the noise when I lock and then unlock the doors with the key fob and wait for approximately 30 seconds after unlocking. Then a relay/switch sound comes from right in the middle of the engine bay, behind the engine. I was doing it repeatedly with the hood up.

For some reason the relays actuate when the passenger doors close (either front or back) but not when the drivers side doors close. Odd.

I'll let it go.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Fishdog

I've narrowed it down to some relays or switches clicking. I can reproduce the noise when I lock and then unlock the doors with the key fob and wait for approximately 30 seconds after unlocking. Then a relay/switch sound comes from right in the middle of the engine bay, behind the engine. I was doing it repeatedly with the hood up.

For some reason the relays actuate when the passenger doors close (either front or back) but not when the drivers side doors close. Odd.

I'll let it go.

We get all kinds of activity these days, as our cars 'wake up' or go into sleep mode.

My last BMW and the current F11 535i make all sorts of sounds once unlocked and you open doors. Totally normal.

HighlandPete

[dewana421]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

We get all kinds of activity these days, as our cars 'wake up' or go into sleep mode.

My last BMW and the current F11 535i make all sorts of sounds once unlocked and you open doors. Totally normal.

HighlandPete

Guys I'm experiencing a similar sound.
I uploaded it on YouTube and as a sound only.
I posted this concern on another form and some people scared me and only one person said they get it also. Not sure what is this sound.
Please help.

WHAT IS THIS NOISE FROM N55

Sound only
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jdZ...ew?usp=sharing

[thegazelle85]

I just bought a 2011 535i. Had this problem too. Engine off. When locking or unlocking doors shortly thereafter. It is coming from under the hood. Mechanic diagnosed and it was the servo motor. That was replaced and sound gone. Which is great, because neighbours would look weirdly my way when i was walking away from car or about to get in and this big clicking sound (and it was loud) came from my car.

[ezaircon4jc]

Both my 2012 & 2014 535i's do that. I've read it's the VANOS resetting or something like that.