Intermittent whining noise, mostly when braking

[PsyCLown]

Hey all,

So I have a bit of a weird whining noise in my car, it seems to happen more when I am braking.
Initially I thought it could be the aux cable as it seemed to have started when I started using the aux (seems to be just coincidence as I unplugged the aux and its still there).
I then thought maybe due to the fact I had a rear brake bulb which was dead, although even after replacing the bulb it's still there.
I thought maybe the radio, but even with it off it makes no difference and after recording it and playing around a bit I think it may be related to the AC / fan ?

Hoping someone here can help point me in the right direction as to what it could be and how to make it stop! It's quite annoying, seems to happen more when I apply brakes but not limited to just braking. Sometimes while driving and sometimes while moving, with my foot off the accelerator but not applying brakes and sometimes while just stopped at a red light.

Here is a link to the video I took, I moved my phone around to try help pin point where the noise may be coming from and then it randomly stops.

The noise does sound a bit different in the video

 

[Nick]

Turn the fan off and see if the noise goes away.

E90 fan blowers sound like that right before they die.

 

[FiRi@Rennzport]

Also check if it still makes that noise when the wife is NOT in the car.

Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

 

[Uneilb]

Also check if it still makes that noise when the wife is NOT in the car.

Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

:biglol: :biglol: :biglol:

 

[PsyCLown]

The one time I tried it, it did go away but I am not sure whether it is just coincidence or not.

Sounds as if it may be the fan then, bummer.

I found this thread: https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=42461&page=2
I may try remove the fan and do a quick visual inspection and try spraying some lubricant and see if it helps or at least helps to prolong the life of the blower a bit. Seems BMW charge R4.5k for a new fan assembly.

 

[PsyCLown]

Also check if it still makes that noise when the wife is NOT in the car.

Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

Now that I think about it, you might be onto something!  :biglol:

 

[Nick]

The one time I tried it, it did go away but I am not sure whether it is just coincidence or not.

Sounds as if it may be the fan then, bummer.

I found this thread: https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=42461&page=2
I may try remove the fan and do a quick visual inspection and try spraying some lubricant and see if it helps or at least helps to prolong the life of the blower a bit. Seems BMW charge R4.5k for a new fan assembly.

iv been through one fan and so has my dad.

You can lube it, but the damage is already done, it will start making noise again.