Whistling from HVAC? or somewhere?

Raymond42c · 03-09-2021, 08:04 AM

Wondering if anyone has experienced and more importantly found a solution to this problem:

With HVAC on, currently around 72 degrees during 50-60 degree outside temps, when hitting around 40 mph, there is a whistle coming from front of car. Sounds like a window that hasn't been fully rolled up. (checked all the windows)

If I turn the circulation to "M" it goes away, if I turn it back to "A" it comes back. Nothing else seems to have an impact of any kind on it. Temperature, mode, ac/heat, etc. The only way it goes away is switching the circulation mode.

Any thoughts?

UPDATE:

Well, looks like they figured it out at the dealer. The cowl had to be replaced. They found that it was bubbled up somewhere and thus letting air in or whatnot. Quick test drive on the way home and no whistle. Thank goodness! I have a horrible aversion to small sound like that (like the travel mug rattling) and it might have meant the end of my x1 for me. $500 repair to replace the cowl at the dealership.

Turbod · 03-09-2021, 10:36 AM

My X1 did the same thing. I didn't seem to be RPM dependent and I never found a resolution.

Raymond42c · 03-09-2021, 10:57 AM

Well, that's not what I wanted to hear.

Scratchboat · 03-10-2021, 08:50 PM

My 2015 xDrive 35i has had this affliction ever since I've owned it. In my case the HVAC whistles in auto mode briefly as the car is warming up - I either live with it, or press the button to direct airflow to my feet. It only whistles when on full auto, so redirecting the airflow for a few minutes causes the whistling to stop in my car. Then I press auto again a few minutes later and the whistling is gone. Go figure ...

Raymond42c · 03-12-2021, 07:18 PM

Update!

Well, looks like they figured it out at the dealer. The cowl had to be replaced. They found that it was bubbled up somewhere and thus letting air in or whatnot. Quick test drive on the way home and no whistle. Thank goodness! I have a horrible aversion to small sound like that (like the travel mug rattling) and it might have meant the end of my x1 for me. $500 repair to replace the cowl at the dealership.

03-09-2021, 08:04 AM	#1
Raymond42c New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: BMW X1 2015 Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	Whistling from HVAC? or somewhere? Wondering if anyone has experienced and more importantly found a solution to this problem: With HVAC on, currently around 72 degrees during 50-60 degree outside temps, when hitting around 40 mph, there is a whistle coming from front of car. Sounds like a window that hasn't been fully rolled up. (checked all the windows) If I turn the circulation to "M" it goes away, if I turn it back to "A" it comes back. Nothing else seems to have an impact of any kind on it. Temperature, mode, ac/heat, etc. The only way it goes away is switching the circulation mode. Any thoughts? UPDATE: Well, looks like they figured it out at the dealer. The cowl had to be replaced. They found that it was bubbled up somewhere and thus letting air in or whatnot. Quick test drive on the way home and no whistle. Thank goodness! I have a horrible aversion to small sound like that (like the travel mug rattling) and it might have meant the end of my x1 for me. $500 repair to replace the cowl at the dealership. Last edited by Raymond42c; 03-12-2021 at 07:17 PM.. Reason: Update
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03-09-2021, 10:36 AM	#2
Turbod Major 396 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2014 E84 X1 35i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	My X1 did the same thing. I didn't seem to be RPM dependent and I never found a resolution. __________________ 2011 E92 335i \| 11.7@125 SOLD 2017 Camaro SS \| 12.7@114 SOLD 2019 Audi TT RS \| 10.5@130 SOLD 2020 F97 X3M \| 11.0@123 2023 G80 M3 xDrive
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03-09-2021, 10:57 AM	#3
Raymond42c New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: BMW X1 2015 Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	Well, that's not what I wanted to hear.
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03-10-2021, 08:50 PM	#4
Scratchboat New Member 3 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X1 xDrive35i Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: New England iTrader: (0)	My 2015 xDrive 35i has had this affliction ever since I've owned it. In my case the HVAC whistles in auto mode briefly as the car is warming up - I either live with it, or press the button to direct airflow to my feet. It only whistles when on full auto, so redirecting the airflow for a few minutes causes the whistling to stop in my car. Then I press auto again a few minutes later and the whistling is gone. Go figure ...
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03-12-2021, 07:18 PM	#5
Raymond42c New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: BMW X1 2015 Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	Update! Well, looks like they figured it out at the dealer. The cowl had to be replaced. They found that it was bubbled up somewhere and thus letting air in or whatnot. Quick test drive on the way home and no whistle. Thank goodness! I have a horrible aversion to small sound like that (like the travel mug rattling) and it might have meant the end of my x1 for me. $500 repair to replace the cowl at the dealership.
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