[shardul2000]

So I have a 2009 328i (automatic) that has been giving me this whining noise every so often. It only happens after I have driven some amount of distance (greater than 40 miles or so), and it doesn't happen every time (more like once every 4 or 5 times I drive it that far).

But when it does, it definitely sounds like something is seriously wrong. The noise can be heard inside the cabin, although it is much louder outside. The noise is loudest when I am stopped at a light and lessens when I accelerate.

Also, when I am hearing the noise and I am stopped at a light, the car will intermittently shake (almost like its going to stall). This only happens when the whining noise is present.

Does anyone here know what the problem here is?

I am attaching a video i took where you can hear the sound, inside and out

Whining noise outside:

Whining noise inside:

[Rich_NYC]

I have the same problem, I heard might be a belt or power steering pump or something.. I dunno but I'd love an answer too, also told it was because the timing is off and it's trying to adjust it self

[Veester]

My car sounded very similar.

The dealer finally figured it out and it was a faulty belt tensioner.

[Rich_NYC]

Originally Posted by Veester

My car sounded very similar.

The dealer finally figured it out and it was a faulty belt tensioner.

did it also cause the car to idle bad and throw codes ?

[shardul2000]

itscard0man,

It idles poorly only when I hear the noise, and there are no codes that I know of that it's throwing.

I had the codes read a couple weeks ago and it wasn't showing anything

[MrDummy]

I had this after I drove home and took it in, and they swapped the steering pump. I still get shakes now and then but I was thinking it was just bad fuel?

I will add this to my list of issues for them to look at next week.

[Veester]

Originally Posted by itscard0man

did it also cause the car to idle bad and throw codes ?

No codes ever, but when it was making the sound it would idle at a lower RPM and would be very jerky. Also I noticed a power decrease when the sound was happening.

[GoRomeo]

Thanks for sharing!

[Veester]

Originally Posted by Veester

My car sounded very similar.

The dealer finally figured it out and it was a faulty belt tensioner.

Got my car back yesterday, but this morning the sound was still there...

[mlifxs]

I've had the belt tensioner issue. Before repairing, it would have a high pitch sound such as this. Belt was creeping off one of the pulleys, maybe by an 1/8th of an inch. Once repaired, it went away.

Afterwards, though, I developed another problem. I'd get a high pitched whistle noise and at first, I thought the tensior issue was back. It would happen maybe once a month. Whistle noise would occur when I lifted off the gas, would go away when I stepped on the gas. If I came to a stop, the car would run rough and might stall out. I could shut off the car and restart and it would be gone. This went on for about six months before ever throwing a code. The code thrown suggested a stuck vanos sensor, as one possibility. After switching vanos sensors, the code followed the sensor, so I cleaned both sensors thoroughly and since then (over three months), the problem has not re-appeared.

May or may not have anything to do with your problem but thought I'd throw it out there if you still haven't resolved.

[Rich_NYC]

Originally Posted by mlifxs

I've had the belt tensioner issue. Before repairing, it would have a high pitch sound such as this. Belt was creeping off one of the pulleys, maybe by an 1/8th of an inch. Once repaired, it went away.

Afterwards, though, I developed another problem. I'd get a high pitched whistle noise and at first, I thought the tensior issue was back. It would happen maybe once a month. Whistle noise would occur when I lifted off the gas, would go away when I stepped on the gas. If I came to a stop, the car would run rough and might stall out. I could shut off the car and restart and it would be gone. This went on for about six months before ever throwing a code. The code thrown suggested a stuck vanos sensor, as one possibility. After switching vanos sensors, the code followed the sensor, so I cleaned both sensors thoroughly and since then (over three months), the problem has not re-appeared.

May or may not have anything to do with your problem but thought I'd throw it out there if you still haven't resolved.

the codes I am throwing are vanos sensors as well

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by itscard0man

the codes I am throwing are vanos sensors as well

there is a DIY here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...t=vanos+sensor

it's pretty easy, if you're inclined to try

concept is one solenoid is intake side, one solenoid is exhaust. The solenoids themselves are identical. If you are getting codes indicating a particular side, switch them and see if you start to get codes for the other side. If so, that is a good indication that it's the solenoid. If this is the case, you can clean them and it might cure the problem; worst case you can replace the bad solenoid for around $100.

[Rich_NYC]

Originally Posted by mlifxs

there is a DIY here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...t=vanos+sensor

it's pretty easy, if you're inclined to try

concept is one solenoid is intake side, one solenoid is exhaust. The solenoids themselves are identical. If you are getting codes indicating a particular side, switch them and see if you start to get codes for the other side. If so, that is a good indication that it's the solenoid. If this is the case, you can clean them and it might cure the problem; worst case you can replace the bad solenoid for around $100.

yea i saw that diy, thanks im going to have a go at it next time I have a day free. I also have spark plugs im thinking about installing also

[MrDummy]

Well at dealership this morning, the SA started car, heard whining and felt vibration at idle and said he thinks its the coil plug?
Could this be true?

Thanks

[MrDummy]

Update:

I guess from what my SA just told me the vibration in my car is from needing a program update and not idler pulley or coil plug.

Also told my that's why my auto trans shifts hard. He said there is a SIB out for my 10 328i rwd, that should fix both of these issues.

But will have to wait and see when I get call to pick it up?