x5 Clicking/Ticking on Unlock

[Professor///M]

Hey Folks,

New 2016 F15 X5 35i Xdrive here. Fully loaded. Don't know how frequently this happens but didn't know whether it was normal because it's my wife's car and she uses it most.

When I have unlocked the car, there is a loud ticking from the front engine compartment, literally almost sounds like a time bomb. My wife is clueless, and I had to point it out to her this morning so don't know whether it happens 100% of the time.

This is my third BMW with the N55 engine, and I know that generally there are electronic fuel pump priming noises, but this sounds very different.


Usual or unusual? I can take a video tonight for you guys to listen. Just getting an idea whether to make an appointment for later in the week.

Thanks so much!

[Terp335]

Doesn't sound normal to me. If you can recreate it on a regular basis I'd take a video for reference and then see if you can't get it to occur at the dealer in front of a tech.

[Professor///M]

Thanks. Didn't think so. It goes away after like a minute, and doesn't occur during vehicle operation.

Happens when the car hasn't been in use for a bit... for instance if you unlock the car, wait for the sound to stop, lock the car, and then unlock again within 10 minutes it doesn't come back.


It sounds like something is "priming" or almost as if it's like the starter.


I'll call for an appointment.



Also, does the condenser drip a lot? I assume since this is the biggest BMW I have owned that with the 4 zone cooling just a bigger condenser so lots more condensation dripping on the floor.

Thanks!

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by JSTDR1V

Also, does the condenser drip a lot? I assume since this is the biggest BMW I have owned that with the 4 zone cooling just a bigger condenser so lots more condensation dripping on the floor.

Thanks!

Good luck on the appointment. On the condenser, I shut off the A/C a block away from my home to let the condenser dry/warm up. This reduce water moisture collecting on a warmer condenser.

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Good luck on the appointment. On the condenser, I shut off the A/C a block away from my home to let the condenser dry/warm up. This reduce water moisture collecting on a warmer condenser.

That's a fantastic idea, thanks

[Influence]

This happened to me on my 2013 X3 3.5. Took some effort for my local BMW dealer to figure out (took a call to BMW NA techs). Basically, you have oil leaking into your cylinder heads somewhere which is causing problems with the "Valve-Tronic" motor. This is the electric motor that controls the variable valve timing in your engine. Definitely something you want to get fixed immediately.

I had the exact same symptoms as you. It only happens after the car has been sitting idle for quite a few hours. When you "wake up" the truck, you'll hear the clicking for like 60-90 seconds before it stops.

Good luck.

to add to this, once I got the issue fixed, there was a pretty noticeable difference in engine response. Truck felt much faster and more responsive after they fixed the issue.

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by Influence

This happened to me on my 2013 X3 3.5. Took some effort for my local BMW dealer to figure out (took a call to BMW NA techs). Basically, you have oil leaking into your cylinder heads somewhere which is causing problems with the "Valve-Tronic" motor. This is the electric motor that controls the variable valve timing in your engine. Definitely something you want to get fixed immediately.

I had the exact same symptoms as you. It only happens after the car has been sitting idle for quite a few hours. When you "wake up" the truck, you'll hear the clicking for like 60-90 seconds before it stops.

Good luck.

to add to this, once I got the issue fixed, there was a pretty noticeable difference in engine response. Truck felt much faster and more responsive after they fixed the issue.

Ok thanks for your response. So this happened to you when you unlocked the car, and the car had not yet been turned on yet. Last anywhere from a few seconds to maybe a minute.

How easy was the fix? Fast?

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Good luck on the appointment. On the condenser, I shut off the A/C a block away from my home to let the condenser dry/warm up. This reduce water moisture collecting on a warmer condenser.

+1

An old mechanic (the kinds that used to replace water pumps, not code) told me to to this about 30 years ago, so that my AC would not stink. I usually turn off the AC abut 2-3 minutes before arrival, and blast the fan. It helps dry the inside, where leftover moisture develops into mold/stink.

[Influence]

Originally Posted by JSTDR1V

Ok thanks for your response. So this happened to you when you unlocked the car, and the car had not yet been turned on yet. Last anywhere from a few seconds to maybe a minute.

How easy was the fix? Fast?

Exactly. Noise happens before you even get in the car. Unlocking the doors or popping the trunk (after the truck had been sitting a long time/overnight only) would start the clicking. I have a video on my cell phone that I'll try to upload to Youtube for you to verify but I can pretty much guarantee that it is the same valvetronic motor issue I had.

Fix took like 6 days (and 2 separate visits) before they figured it out. First they couldn't replicate the noise (because they wouldn't let the truck sit for 5+ hours before "waking it up." So I had to capture the video of it happening myself and then on visit 2 got the service manager to watch the video who sent it to BMW NA, who then in turn diagnosed the problem. Second visit was 4 business days total before it was fixed. 3 days of that was the diagnosis by BMW NA.

I just saved you days of heartache

Managed to upload the video I took:

[Professor///M]

Exactly same noise. Thank you. Naturally they don't hear anything today so I told them to keep it and the first one to unlock it in the morning would know.

Do you have any specific info from your repair that would also be helpful? So far all this info has been amazing.

[Installsplus]

Did u guys figure out this noise I am getting the exact sound on my x5

[Installsplus]

3 weeks and counting car has been in the shop. They are replacing the valvetronic essentric shaft new gaskets. So upset I couldn't have the truck over the Christmas holidays but it's a pretty big job and requires a lot of time plus parts took some time to come in. Only 7000km and already issues. I hope this never happens again or to any of u that don't have warranty. I was told it's a 4K job. I also requested a free oil change once job is completed.

[Stinkyxy]

I had this happen to me a couple of times a few months after I took deliver. A few days later it went away.
Stuff like this scares me because I don't know if it is a real issue with the car and if it'll come back when it is out of warranty.

[Installsplus]

Originally Posted by Stinkyxy

I had this happen to me a couple of times a few months after I took deliver. A few days later it went away.
Stuff like this scares me because I don't know if it is a real issue with the car and if it'll come back when it is out of warranty.

Wow I thought I was the only x5. What year is yours?

[Stinkyxy]

Originally Posted by Installsplus

Wow I thought I was the only x5. What year is yours?

2016 January build.

[tatetrain]

So when I unlock/approach my car after i have been away a while, I hear a motor running and some sound. I thought this was related to the M sport suspension airing up. Does that make sense.

[Installsplus]

Originally Posted by tatetrain

So when I unlock/approach my car after i have been away a while, I hear a motor running and some sound. I thought this was related to the M sport suspension airing up. Does that make sense.

No that's normal. It's the ticking sound that u don't want. Finally got my truck back today. So good to be back in the x5 again. The x3 was not doing it for me. Oh well glad it's fix. Fingers crossed.

[Stinkyxy]

Can you share the invoice. I am looking to see what parts were used.

[Installsplus]

Originally Posted by Stinkyxy

Can you share the invoice. I am looking to see what parts were used.

Here u go

[cmeister]

I had this happen a few weeks ago when I got my 2017 X5 xDrive 35i. It hadn't happened since until I replaced the insurance card tonight. It got it to happen twice in a row by simply opening the passenger door. I took a video as well for potential future use.

[Installsplus]

Originally Posted by cmeister

I had this happen a few weeks ago when I got my 2017 X5 xDrive 35i. It hadn't happened since until I replaced the insurance card tonight. It got it to happen twice in a row by simply opening the passenger door. I took a video as well for potential future use.

Wow 2017. I honestly thought this was happening with older high mileage cars. Mine is a 2016 so I guess I am not alone. This issue has been more common and hopefully BMW will do something about it. Don't want to get this done again being out of warranty. Doesn't hurt to show ur dealer this thread. Gluck

[mynameisplayer]

"fully loaded"? Air suspension? I've had 3rd row last two cars. When you unlock the compressor will "level" up. Could be the sound?