[mikengo]

Anybody have the same experience of a sequential ticking noise coming from under the steering wheel? It relates to the aircon/blower and cold engine. When I start the car, it starts ticking. When I turn off the aircon/blower, it goes away. It only happens in the morning or after work when I head back home.

The ticking sounds like those little tiny gear toys not gripping properly. It has an exact timing sequence, ticking away for about 3 - 5 minutes and vanishes.

The problem cannot be simulated, therefore I can't explain well to BMW tech.

Hmm.... Ideas anyone??

[mikengo]

I'm going to do this tonight!

[woo]

is the sound like "dic...dic....dic...." from somewhere around air con? It come on and go out after few minutes? I have this as well! it look like a little water drop inside the aircon. Report to dealer serveral times but it alway quite when you try to show them some defects.......

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by mikengo

Anybody have the same experience of a sequential ticking noise coming from under the steering wheel? It relates to the aircon/blower and cold engine. When I start the car, it starts ticking. When I turn off the aircon/blower, it goes away. It only happens in the morning or after work when I head back home.

The ticking sounds like those little tiny gear toys not gripping properly. It has an exact timing sequence, ticking away for about 3 - 5 minutes and vanishes.

The problem cannot be simulated, therefore I can't explain well to BMW tech.

Hmm.... Ideas anyone??

Next time you hear it, open your hood, check to see if it's one of the valve lifter noises folks have been hearing in these winter months. It is usually the lifter closest to the firewall and could be permeating into the cabin. The valve lifter noise usually disappears after the engine is warm and oil reaches those rear lifters.

[mikengo]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Next time you hear it, open your hood, check to see if it's one of the valve lifter noises folks have been hearing in these winter months. It is usually the lifter closest to the firewall and could be permeating into the cabin. The valve lifter noise usually disappears after the engine is warm and oil reaches those rear lifters.

Thanks for the tip.

Another issue I realize is that on a random basis, the ticking noise does not occur but a gliding gear noise coming from inside the steering wheel as if it is trying to unlatch itself.

BMW tech suspected the gliding gear may be due to the steering lock column that is trying to unfold when starting the engine as the car is still new. They are changing it to determine the fault. On the other hand, I've contributed the valve lifter noise to them. They will use the anology to open the hood for inspection.

Sounds like another BMW sleepover for the 2nd night...

[mikengo]

Originally Posted by woo

is the sound like "dic...dic....dic...." from somewhere around air con? It come on and go out after few minutes? I have this as well! it look like a little water drop inside the aircon. Report to dealer serveral times but it alway quite when you try to show them some defects.......

If the BMW tech found the answer, I can get a copy of the report and forward it to you so that you can get them to trace it. I will give 2 thumbs up for the BMW tech customer service in Macau.