Noise from center vent area

[John NY]

I will need to take my car into the dealer, but was curious if anyone else has experienced this. My '09 535 X-drive has been great, and exceptionally trouble free. I have notice, however, that when I come to a stop with the car in D or R, I hear a slight rattle coming from the center vent area, which goes away once I start moving again. Not a big deal, but ever since I noticed the sound, I find myself fixating on it, which them becomes rather annoying.

[Bart001]

Nothing I've ever heard -- have the dealer check it out :)

[madurodave]

Probably some plastic on plastic rubbing at certain RPMs. The dealer should be able to fix it.

[drsage]

John:

I have the same issue with my 08 535i. At idle rpms there is a rattle from the center dash, if I raise the rpms slightly it seems quieter. I have about 5000 miles and most recently it has been intermittent. I took it to the dealer and they could not replicate it. Do you by chance have the variable ratio active steering? I have noticed that when the noise is the loudest, the steering wheel will twitch ever so slightly while I am stopped.

[calpalmer]

I had a similar rattle -- it was / is the plastic housing covering the rain sensor and other electronics hanging from the windshield beneath the rear-view mirror. My guess is when you're hearing your noise, if you apply pressure to that housing the vibration will stop. I simply pressed and rotated slightly the plastic, and the noise has not returned.

Cal

[bbal]

I remember a post where someone took his to the dealer and had them remove the plastic cover that meets the windshield (where the wipers are) and put some thin foam there, and problem was solved. I have this same rattle from time to time.

[John NY]

I'm sure many of you were losing sleep at night wondering if this issue had been resolved. I am happy to report that it has. At first, the dealer couldn't replicate the noise, so they replaced the nav screen cover. The noise did not go away, so I took it back, and went for a drive with the shop forman and was able to replicate the noise. After two days, the dealer was able to fix it. Turns out, the noise was coming from the power steering pump when the engine is at a low rpm. The dealer replaced the pump, and all is good. I am actually looking forward to doing a positive evaluation for the level of service I got.