odd clunking noise
08-09-2011, 06:17 AM
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when i drive it sound like there is a deep rattle or clunking noise coming from the engine bay or underneath. when in the cabin it sounds like it's on the passenger side, deep in the dash. it's a low tone noise, and when you open the window and stick your head out, you can't hear anything. so that makes me think it is not actually in the engine bay or under the car, but maybe somewhere deep in the dash. any ideas?
08-09-2011, 08:54 AM
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My Ride: 2006 BMW 530I
when i drive it sound like there is a deep rattle or clunking noise coming from the engine bay or underneath. when in the cabin it sounds like it's on the passenger side, deep in the dash. it's a low tone noise, and when you open the window and stick your head out, you can't hear anything. so that makes me think it is not actually in the engine bay or under the car, but maybe somewhere deep in the dash. any ideas?
08-09-2011, 02:20 PM
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Do you drive a lot with the sunroof in the "tilt-up" position? That creates the exact sound that your describing on my car.... It's the metal wind deflector clanging against the glass which is tilted down and forward a bit in that particular open state. I will be getting it fixed next service visit...
08-09-2011, 08:02 PM
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My Ride: 2008 528i Sapphire Black | Sport | Premium | STEPTRONIC | Xenon
Do you drive a lot with the sunroof in the "tilt-up" position? That creates the exact sound that your describing on my car.... It's the metal wind deflector clanging against the glass which is tilted down and forward a bit in that particular open state. I will be getting it fixed next service visit...
08-10-2011, 06:30 AM
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08-10-2011, 07:45 AM
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Well, at the risk of being narrow-minded, try opening the sunroof then and see if it goes away. I was convinced mine was coming from the trunk, but it was right above my head! Lower frequencies (like metal "clunks") are not directional in the way the sound travels. You may be hearing a secondary reverberation from the dash area, but not where the source is. I'm not making this up either, I deal with acoustics for a living. Tracking down noises in a moving car can be quite ellusive. Humor at least two of us here... Slide open the sunshade and or put the sunroof in tilted up position even while just parked. Then reach up and "flick" the metal wind deflector up and down a bit and tell me if the sound is similar....
