Transmission noise

rking117 · 01-28-2015, 11:19 AM

Hey folks, I have had this weird transmission noise for a couple years now. Sometimes in Drive and comfort mode (not with sport button pressed) When the car switches to 4th or 5th gear under light acceleration I hear this low pitched resonance noise which is accompanied by a vibration. When it happens the noise appears and then immediately stops shortly thereafter without any input changes from my foot or increase in speed. It is most noticeable upon resuming light acceleration when I slow down for ongoing traffic and the RPMs drop down to around 1500 when the car in 5th gear (sometimes 4th or even 3rd the trigger seems to be 1500 RPMs even though i have never heard it in 1st 2nd or 6th gears). When it happens it sounds like the transmission is under heavy load for a second to two and switches in and out instantly. so what is am saying is that the sound doesn't build it is like a light switch it is either on or off without an in between. I will try again to record the sound but thus far it has been elusive to a sound recorder. You can feel it in the steering wheel as well as hear it. the resonance sounds like it drops an entire octave. I drew a picture of what it sounds like to me in a line graph, this is my best guess at how to tell you what it sounds like. Before this noise began the vehicle sounded like it followed the blue dotted line not the violent drop in tone.

Does anyone have any idea of what this might be? And if not how can i explain it to my SA for help? My three attempts so far have failed

I suppose it would be helpful to know that i have the 3.0 with steptronic transmission with sport button not DCT.

Also NOTE that i am talking about my Z4 3.0i It has the same transmission as some 3ers

07chupacabra · 01-28-2015, 11:37 AM

How many miles? What year?

rking117 · 01-29-2015, 12:16 PM

60k 2009

kingyang3 · 01-29-2015, 07:37 PM

i hear this weird noise coming from my centre console (2009 e90 335) are we talking about the same noise haha

stevenh44 · 01-29-2015, 09:19 PM

Heat shield around exhaust vibrating?

rking117 · 01-31-2015, 11:06 PM

not a heat shield sound. no. It is definitely a trans sound.

rking117 · 01-31-2015, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingyang3

i hear this weird noise coming from my centre console (2009 e90 335) are we talking about the same noise haha

HAHA NO!

01-28-2015, 11:19 AM	#1
rking117 Lieutenant Colonel 118 Rep 1,668 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i & 320i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Transmission noise Hey folks, I have had this weird transmission noise for a couple years now. Sometimes in Drive and comfort mode (not with sport button pressed) When the car switches to 4th or 5th gear under light acceleration I hear this low pitched resonance noise which is accompanied by a vibration. When it happens the noise appears and then immediately stops shortly thereafter without any input changes from my foot or increase in speed. It is most noticeable upon resuming light acceleration when I slow down for ongoing traffic and the RPMs drop down to around 1500 when the car in 5th gear (sometimes 4th or even 3rd the trigger seems to be 1500 RPMs even though i have never heard it in 1st 2nd or 6th gears). When it happens it sounds like the transmission is under heavy load for a second to two and switches in and out instantly. so what is am saying is that the sound doesn't build it is like a light switch it is either on or off without an in between. I will try again to record the sound but thus far it has been elusive to a sound recorder. You can feel it in the steering wheel as well as hear it. the resonance sounds like it drops an entire octave. I drew a picture of what it sounds like to me in a line graph, this is my best guess at how to tell you what it sounds like. Before this noise began the vehicle sounded like it followed the blue dotted line not the violent drop in tone. Does anyone have any idea of what this might be? And if not how can i explain it to my SA for help? My three attempts so far have failed I suppose it would be helpful to know that i have the 3.0 with steptronic transmission with sport button not DCT. Also NOTE that i am talking about my Z4 3.0i It has the same transmission as some 3ers Attached Images __________________ Enjoying an E89 Z4, F30 320i and Fiat Abarth // E85 Z4 (sold), E82 128i (sold), Fiat Pop 500 (sold) Last edited by rking117; 01-29-2015 at 12:17 PM..
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01-28-2015, 11:37 AM	#2
07chupacabra First Lieutenant 41 Rep 354 Posts Drives: 07 E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	How many miles? What year?
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01-29-2015, 12:16 PM	#3
rking117 Lieutenant Colonel 118 Rep 1,668 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i & 320i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	60k 2009 __________________ Enjoying an E89 Z4, F30 320i and Fiat Abarth // E85 Z4 (sold), E82 128i (sold), Fiat Pop 500 (sold)
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01-29-2015, 07:37 PM	#4
kingyang3 Private First Class 24 Rep 150 Posts Drives: SG E90 335i M-sport Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Edmonton, Alberta iTrader: (0)	i hear this weird noise coming from my centre console (2009 e90 335) are we talking about the same noise haha
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01-29-2015, 09:19 PM	#5
stevenh44 Private First Class 11 Rep 122 Posts Drives: 17' BMW R1200R Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Heat shield around exhaust vibrating?
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01-31-2015, 11:06 PM	#6
rking117 Lieutenant Colonel 118 Rep 1,668 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i & 320i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	not a heat shield sound. no. It is definitely a trans sound. __________________ Enjoying an E89 Z4, F30 320i and Fiat Abarth // E85 Z4 (sold), E82 128i (sold), Fiat Pop 500 (sold)
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