M4 engine clicking noise when unlocking

musicman2013 · 10-11-2017, 06:53 AM

Hi guys,

I am new to this forum and excited to be a M4 owner.

My car is a 2015 M4 done 9,000km

The car has been on the vessel for the past 2 months.

This is the clicking noise. It is there when the system starts up

Car drives fine and no fault code, any comments?

Fast4d · 10-11-2017, 11:31 AM

sounds like an air compressor.

not normal

GrussGott · 10-11-2017, 02:42 PM

holy shit are you talking about the jack hammer noise? Cause that's fucked up.

Of course I'm not a BMW Master Tech, so take that with a grain of salt.

maniz · 10-11-2017, 05:13 PM

Yes, I have that noise too. Have had it from day 1 after bringing the car home. I too, recorded video to document it because it only happens when the engine is cold; a dealer won't be able to replicate it. Used to happen every morning, but now happens about 50% of the time. Sometimes loud and sometimes a bit faint. Never happens when the engine is running; only when off. No issues outside of it.

The issue seems to be the valvetronic motor. That's what my Google-fu brought up when I first looked it up, but now I can't seem to find that thread. I think it was from these forums. A member had recorded and emailed the video to his SA and they had to escalate it to BMW NA engineers who diagnosed it as such and the valvetronic motor was replaced which rectified the issue. I need to get my SA involved as well.

EDIT: Sorry, I guess I wasn't paying attention when I watched your videos. That sound is different than mine, but perhaps the cause is the same? Since yours is so short in duration, can you still isolate the location of the source? Here is the thread I was referring to earlier, BTW. This is the noise I have as well: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1389358

FlyingLow78 · 10-11-2017, 09:53 PM

I can't watch the videos due to a network firewall, but my car makes a noise when I unlock it. It sounds like relays clicking and the fuel pump priming. It's totally normal.

musicman2013 · 10-12-2017, 04:57 AM

thanks for your input, it happens all the time dispute the engine is cold or warm. I guess it could be the valvetronic motor but I am not entirely sure.

I took another video as well. I listened to the video in the other link you sent, it seems to be a similar clicking noise except it is a much shorter duration.

Quote:

Originally Posted by maniz

Yes, I have that noise too. Have had it from day 1 after bringing the car home. I too, recorded video to document it because it only happens when the engine is cold; a dealer won't be able to replicate it. Used to happen every morning, but now happens about 50% of the time. Sometimes loud and sometimes a bit faint. Never happens when the engine is running; only when off. No issues outside of it.

The issue seems to be the valvetronic motor. That's what my Google-fu brought up when I first looked it up, but now I can't seem to find that thread. I think it was from these forums. A member had recorded and emailed the video to his SA and they had to escalate it to BMW NA engineers who diagnosed it as such and the valvetronic motor was replaced which rectified the issue. I need to get my SA involved as well.

EDIT: Sorry, I guess I wasn't paying attention when I watched your videos. That sound is different than mine, but perhaps the cause is the same? Since yours is so short in duration, can you still isolate the location of the source? Here is the thread I was referring to earlier, BTW. This is the noise I have as well: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1389358

s3ries · 10-12-2017, 09:11 AM

valvetronic motor on mine, and dealer wasn't able to replicate. as soon as i drive the car home, the next morning the noise came back.

go figure

maniz · 10-12-2017, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicman2013

thanks for your input, it happens all the time dispute the engine is cold or warm. I guess it could be the valvetronic motor but I am not entirely sure.

I took another video as well. I listened to the video in the other link you sent, it seems to be a similar clicking noise except it is a much shorter duration.

If it happens all the time, then you should have the dealer diagnose and repair it under warranty; they should have no issue replicating it.

My educated guess is still that it is related to the valvetronic motor, just under a different load and rate of voltage, hence the shorter but louder sound.

Curious to hear what you're able to find out. Keep us posted.

JOHNBMWM5 · 10-13-2017, 08:16 AM

No way is that normal at all, I have had two F80 M3's neither did that ever.
Take it in.

SMC23 · 10-13-2017, 11:24 AM

I have that noise as well. No issue

JOHNBMWM5 · 10-13-2017, 11:35 AM

valvetronic motor needs replacing read this thread, so NOT NORMAL.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1389358

read down the thread.
F80 M3 is not a WOODPECKER

Pic18 · 10-13-2017, 02:10 PM

I have a noise as well when I unlock the car but it is slight different than yours, a bit more buzz than clicking and closer to the sounds in the valvetronic motor thread mentioned above. Mine also last longer like in the valvetronic motor thread. Guess I need to record it and take it in for repair. Please let us know what you discover at your dealership.

musicman2013 · 10-14-2017, 05:38 PM

hey guys its valvetronic motor throwing some error codes.
Valvetronic servomotor, position sensors: malfunction.
Valvetronic servomotor, position sensors: signals implausible

So I guess I need to reply the valvetronic motor? Car is like fairly new and done 6800 miles only.

JOHNBMWM5 · 10-15-2017, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicman2013

hey guys its valvetronic motor throwing some error codes.
Valvetronic servomotor, position sensors: malfunction.
Valvetronic servomotor, position sensors: signals implausible

So I guess I need to reply the valvetronic motor? Car is like fairly new and done 6800 miles only.

Yep I pointed that out to you.

musicman2013 · 10-26-2017, 06:37 AM

thank you guys. I am in the process of getting it fixed.

I would like to confirm is it just replacing the valvetronic serv motor will fix the issue or the eccentric shaft needing to replace as well?

I took it to few places and some people quoted me the shafts teeths need replacing as well with some ridiculous price.

I found the exact matching sound on youtube

drgmt · 04-21-2019, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicman2013

thank you guys. I am in the process of getting it fixed.

I would like to confirm is it just replacing the valvetronic serv motor will fix the issue or the eccentric shaft needing to replace as well?

I took it to few places and some people quoted me the shafts teeths need replacing as well with some ridiculous price.

I found the exact matching sound on youtube

Hello. Can you advise that they repaired for you ? Was it the valvetronic motor and eccentric shaft?

sublimey · 07-30-2020, 07:06 AM

Hi all did they diagnose the problem to be the valvetronic motor and what was the fix?? I’m having the same sound now

VChenz · 07-30-2020, 07:39 AM

Their will be a valvetronic fault code. If it's just the noise the dealer won't do anything and say it's "normal"...there has to be a fault code (ie. Check engine light)

One you have the fault code ..

1.The dealer will disconnect the valvetronic plug, clean it, check for corrosion and do some sort of relearn/test process.

2.They will then hand you back the car.

3. If the code comes up again after they do that then they will replace the valvetronic motor.

4. If that doesn't solve the problem they will also need to replace the eccentric shaft.

sublimey · 07-30-2020, 12:04 PM

Hmm what happens when there’s no fault code? Or will there eventually be a fault code if this sound appears? Could it be a battery issue like something to do with recoding a new battery? Cause my workshop just changed a battery. Not sure if that’s the issue.

VChenz · 07-30-2020, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sublimey

Hmm what happens when there’s no fault code? Or will there eventually be a fault code if this sound appears? Could it be a battery issue like something to do with recoding a new battery? Cause my workshop just changed a battery. Not sure if that’s the issue.

if there is no fault code, my experience with my dealer tells me they won't do anything and tell you its normal.

point in case, mine made the noise and had fault codes, they still wouldnt replace it. with that said, they cleaned the plug for the valvetronic and reset the light and after about 70 KM the light has yet to come back on (several cold starts and WOT runs)

the dealer did say that if the light comes back, the next step would be replace the valvetronic motor.

sublimey · 07-30-2020, 12:38 PM

Thanks fingers crossed. I’ll be sending mine on Monday

///MCollection · 07-30-2020, 03:03 PM

For what it's worth on this subject the valvetronic motor can fail but also the shaft can go tight and take the valvetronic motor out with it as it's struggling to turn. I'm not aware of a way to tell from a noise if it's just the motor, shaft or both. I think once the motor is out and the shaft tightness is felt it becomes clear what has gone wrong.

10-11-2017, 06:53 AM	#1
musicman2013 New Member 8 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: New Zealand iTrader: (0)	M4 engine clicking noise when unlocking - Update: Valvetronic motor Hi guys, I am new to this forum and excited to be a M4 owner. My car is a 2015 M4 done 9,000km The car has been on the vessel for the past 2 months. This is the clicking noise. It is there when the system starts up Car drives fine and no fault code, any comments? Last edited by musicman2013; 10-11-2017 at 08:47 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-11-2017, 11:31 AM	#2
Fast4d Captain 267 Rep 885 Posts Drives: 325 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: So cal iTrader: (0)	sounds like an air compressor. not normal
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-11-2017, 05:13 PM	#4
maniz Assistant TO the Regional Manager 617 Rep 728 Posts Drives: 2018 M4 Coupe Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	Yes, I have that noise too. Have had it from day 1 after bringing the car home. I too, recorded video to document it because it only happens when the engine is cold; a dealer won't be able to replicate it. Used to happen every morning, but now happens about 50% of the time. Sometimes loud and sometimes a bit faint. Never happens when the engine is running; only when off. No issues outside of it. The issue seems to be the valvetronic motor. That's what my Google-fu brought up when I first looked it up, but now I can't seem to find that thread. I think it was from these forums. A member had recorded and emailed the video to his SA and they had to escalate it to BMW NA engineers who diagnosed it as such and the valvetronic motor was replaced which rectified the issue. I need to get my SA involved as well. EDIT: Sorry, I guess I wasn't paying attention when I watched your videos. That sound is different than mine, but perhaps the cause is the same? Since yours is so short in duration, can you still isolate the location of the source? Here is the thread I was referring to earlier, BTW. This is the noise I have as well: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1389358 __________________ 2018 M4 Coupe. 6MT. Der stärkste buchstabe der welt Last edited by maniz; 10-11-2017 at 05:24 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-11-2017, 09:53 PM	#5
FlyingLow78 The G8X is a disaster. 🤮 931 Rep 988 Posts Drives: Not a BMW anymore Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Europe iTrader: (3)	I can't watch the videos due to a network firewall, but my car makes a noise when I unlock it. It sounds like relays clicking and the fuel pump priming. It's totally normal.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-12-2017, 09:11 AM	#7
s3ries First Lieutenant 10 Rep 390 Posts Drives: 17' M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: northern nj iTrader: (5)	valvetronic motor on mine, and dealer wasn't able to replicate. as soon as i drive the car home, the next morning the noise came back. go figure
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2017, 08:16 AM	#9
JOHNBMWM5 Live for today tomorrow never comes 1989 Rep 9,498 Posts Drives: 2022 LCI Marina Bay Blue/ Smok Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	No way is that normal at all, I have had two F80 M3's neither did that ever. Take it in. __________________ Live for now, life is too short. 2021 LCI M5 Marina Bay Blue/ Smoked White Leather
	Appreciate 1 Killed by Death12416.00 Quote

10-13-2017, 11:24 AM	#10
SMC23 Lieutenant 180 Rep 518 Posts Drives: Subaru XTrek / X5 40e Join Date: May 2005 Location: ON iTrader: (0)	I have that noise as well. No issue
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2017, 11:35 AM	#11
JOHNBMWM5 Live for today tomorrow never comes 1989 Rep 9,498 Posts Drives: 2022 LCI Marina Bay Blue/ Smok Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	valvetronic motor needs replacing read this thread, so NOT NORMAL. http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1389358 read down the thread. F80 M3 is not a WOODPECKER __________________ Live for now, life is too short. 2021 LCI M5 Marina Bay Blue/ Smoked White Leather
	Appreciate 1 RogueAI104.00 Quote

10-13-2017, 02:10 PM	#12
Pic18 First Lieutenant 304 Rep 351 Posts Drives: 18' F80 Comp, Spec E46 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: NoVA iTrader: (0)	I have a noise as well when I unlock the car but it is slight different than yours, a bit more buzz than clicking and closer to the sounds in the valvetronic motor thread mentioned above. Mine also last longer like in the valvetronic motor thread. Guess I need to record it and take it in for repair. Please let us know what you discover at your dealership.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2017, 05:38 PM	#13
musicman2013 New Member 8 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: New Zealand iTrader: (0)	hey guys its valvetronic motor throwing some error codes. Valvetronic servomotor, position sensors: malfunction. Valvetronic servomotor, position sensors: signals implausible So I guess I need to reply the valvetronic motor? Car is like fairly new and done 6800 miles only.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-26-2017, 06:37 AM	#15
musicman2013 New Member 8 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: New Zealand iTrader: (0)	thank you guys. I am in the process of getting it fixed. I would like to confirm is it just replacing the valvetronic serv motor will fix the issue or the eccentric shaft needing to replace as well? I took it to few places and some people quoted me the shafts teeths need replacing as well with some ridiculous price. I found the exact matching sound on youtube
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-30-2020, 07:06 AM	#17
sublimey Private First Class 8 Rep 123 Posts Drives: Boxster S Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SG iTrader: (0)	Hi all did they diagnose the problem to be the valvetronic motor and what was the fix?? I’m having the same sound now
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-30-2020, 07:39 AM	#18
VChenz Second Lieutenant 181 Rep 219 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Base Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: ON iTrader: (0)	Their will be a valvetronic fault code. If it's just the noise the dealer won't do anything and say it's "normal"...there has to be a fault code (ie. Check engine light) One you have the fault code .. 1.The dealer will disconnect the valvetronic plug, clean it, check for corrosion and do some sort of relearn/test process. 2.They will then hand you back the car. 3. If the code comes up again after they do that then they will replace the valvetronic motor. 4. If that doesn't solve the problem they will also need to replace the eccentric shaft.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-30-2020, 12:04 PM	#19
sublimey Private First Class 8 Rep 123 Posts Drives: Boxster S Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SG iTrader: (0)	Hmm what happens when there’s no fault code? Or will there eventually be a fault code if this sound appears? Could it be a battery issue like something to do with recoding a new battery? Cause my workshop just changed a battery. Not sure if that’s the issue.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-30-2020, 12:38 PM	#21
sublimey Private First Class 8 Rep 123 Posts Drives: Boxster S Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SG iTrader: (0)	Thanks fingers crossed. I’ll be sending mine on Monday
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-30-2020, 03:03 PM	#22
///MCollection First Lieutenant 188 Rep 364 Posts Drives: M2C X5M M4 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Southwest UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M4 [0.00] 2019 BMW M2 Competi ... [10.00] 2017 BMW X5M [0.00]	For what it's worth on this subject the valvetronic motor can fail but also the shaft can go tight and take the valvetronic motor out with it as it's struggling to turn. I'm not aware of a way to tell from a noise if it's just the motor, shaft or both. I think once the motor is out and the shaft tightness is felt it becomes clear what has gone wrong.
	Appreciate 0 Quote