Buzzing from driver door - any ideas?

[DaveZ4C]

Anyone know what might be causing the buzzing noise from my driver door over certain road surfaces? If I press the panel with my elbow, the buzzing stops.

I brought it to two different stealers, whose service managers could both hear it when I was in the car but whose mechanics couldn't hear it when they took it for a drive before allegedly trying to fix it. I suspect they are reluctant to take the panel off since there is an airbag packed away and it might seem like too much work. The answer I got from both stealers was "the mechanic couldn't hear it - perhaps it's gone - bring it back if it appears again" - I've taken it in 7 times now and get the same comment each time. If I know exactly what it is I can spell it out to them and tell them to get on with it.

It is very annoying, and I don't intend to drive everywhere with my elbow pressed against the door, so any help would be great.

Thanks.

dave

By the way, no trapped insect, animal, razor, or other obviously crap jokes required

 

[cj10jeeper]

Buzzing , assuming it's not some sort of interference coming through the speaker, will be some component vibrating. It's difficult to tell without hearing it but I'd be looking for something like the speaker vibrating, window mechanism or the lock pulls and cables.

Takes about 10 minutes to pull the door cover off if you have a torx set and look and there is no need to touch the airbag.

 

[DaveZ4C]

Thanks for the input CJ10jeeper. This makes sense. Good to hear it's not a lengthy job to have a look.

I can have a better conversation with the stealer now.

Dave

 

[skelters]

That'll be the start of the Electric Window mechanism giving up the ghost!

Wait and see.

I miss my Z4! The Audi is fantastic, probably better than fantastic but it's not the Z!

 

[JetBlackZ]

This may sound odd, but any time something like this happens to me whether it be a sound inside the car or engine bay I use a stethoscope to pin point the source.

Good Luck

 

[DaveZ4C]

It's definitely something vibrating, ratherthan an electrical thing. Happens overcertain road surfaces and not over others.

 

[3.0 Si Anderson]

I have had a similar issue with my current BMW (Z4 Coupe) and my previous 330Ci and according to my Dad (who is a mechanic) it was most likely my airbag that was actually making the noise. It kind of figures though as when I press my elbow against the panel where it actually says airbag it does disappear. My old man sadly never offered to fix nor really gave me a good reason (probably lying just to shut me up) and I am kind of used to it now so it doesnt really bother me so sorry I dont have a solution.

May be worth mentioning to the stealers and they naturally will tell you it is not that and that you need a new door, window mechanism and airbag and that will be £1200 sir......