Random beeps
09-20-2010, 05:29 AM
#1
Administrator
Thread Starter
Every other day or so, I have been getting a series of random beeps while driving. It's three short beeps and a long, about one second apart. It reminds me of the beeps they use in competitive downhill alpine skiing at the starting gate.
When I hear it, I quickly scan my dashboard for any sign of flashing warning lights, but nothing appears, just the beep. Any idea of what this might be?
When I hear it, I quickly scan my dashboard for any sign of flashing warning lights, but nothing appears, just the beep. Any idea of what this might be?
09-20-2010, 06:06 AM
#4
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New Orleans, LA USA
Posts: 4,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: E90 M3
Model Year: 2011
How often does it go off? The hourly chime actually goes off prior to the hour. Could also be a speed limit warning, again something set in the iDrive. No telling what it might be beyond that...
09-20-2010, 12:26 PM
#5
Senior Members
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ct
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 04' 545i, Sport Package, Black, Active Xenon, ARS, Aux Input
'10 Tahoe, Black on Black, leather, Nav/XM, 20" tires, full body kit, power 2nd row, loaded
'93 Jeep Wrangler, lifted 4.5", 33" meats, Rampage Recovery Bumper w/Tire Swing, etc
25' Aquasport Osprey, Center Console,2012 200 HO Etec
I agree... I think its the hourly chime - check your idrive for that first. The way you describe it sounds exactly how I remember that annoying option before I figured out what it was myself! 
Also, while you are in the idrive check for any error messages if you havent already...
Also, while you are in the idrive check for any error messages if you havent already...
09-24-2010, 05:56 AM
#6
Members
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Seattle
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2009 535xi
I'm new to the E60 and have heard the same series of beeps the past few days. I believe it is the hourly chime since I recall the beeps always occurring at the top of the hour. I will have to check out the iDrive menus to remove this "feature".
09-24-2010, 06:03 AM
#7
Administrator
Thread Starter
It turns out that it indeed is the hourly chime. However, I notice that it doesn't seem to exactly coincide with the time that has been set. It's a minute or two off from the time displayed on the dash. Does it perhaps get it's time from the satellite or the radio frequency? If so, that's easy enough to correct.
09-24-2010, 06:13 AM
#8
Contributors
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Harrisburg, PA area
Posts: 804
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: SOLD...Jet Black 2008 550i M Sport with SAT, black interior. RPI exhaust and air scoop, 35% huper optik tint all around, CF roundels, flat black kidneys, Springfield Armory XD-40 jet black in glove box, charcoal filter removed.
It turns out that it indeed is the hourly chime. However, I notice that it doesn't seem to exactly coincide with the time that has been set. It's a minute or two off from the time displayed on the dash. Does it perhaps get it's time from the satellite or the radio frequency? If so, that's easy enough to correct.
It is based on the time displayed on your dash / on idrive screen. It goes off at :56 seconds, so 11:59:56 you will hear beep one, then at ::57 beep two, then at ::58 beep three, then at ::59 a longer beep four, then 12:00:00 will display. That's how it works on mine, and my wifes, and the other two BMW's we've had.
09-24-2010, 06:16 AM
#9
Contributors
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2010 535i M Sport 6MT
Model Year: 2010
The hour memo should sound one minute before the top of the hour. I think it's three short beeps followed by a longer beep.
It is useful for those wanting to catch the news at the top of the hour, with the accompanying reports on traffic and weather. It is also useful for reminding long-distance drivers to take regular rest stops every X hours or so. Or use it as a reminder to report on status and location of your precious cargo, if you're a professional driver
"The Hire"
It is useful for those wanting to catch the news at the top of the hour, with the accompanying reports on traffic and weather. It is also useful for reminding long-distance drivers to take regular rest stops every X hours or so. Or use it as a reminder to report on status and location of your precious cargo, if you're a professional driver
"The Hire"
09-24-2010, 06:18 AM
#10
Administrator
Thread Starter
It is based on the time displayed on your dash / on idrive screen. It goes off at :56 seconds, so 11:59:56 you will hear beep one, then at ::57 beep two, then at ::58 beep three, then at ::59 a longer beep four, then 12:00:00 will display. That's how it works on mine, and my wifes, and the other two BMW's we've had.