"Check" & "BC" buttons rattle?? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

M5 Roggan · 3rd November 2009, 19:26

Looking for a solution on a very small but somewhat annoying problem I have (guess i should be lucky to only have this kind of issues

)

The two small buttons on the indicator lever behind the wheel for the "Check" messages and "BC" for browsing through the board computer (time/temp, range, oil level etc) are rattling at certain speeds in my car... It started after fitting 20" wheels. The sound occurs on rougher tarmac and at certain speeds... I don't run very high pressure in my tires, the vibrations are only very subtly noticable when I hold my finger to the indicator lever itself. Currently I just hold my fingers on the buttons to make it quiet hehe.

Before I isolated the problem to these buttons I though it came from somewhere inside the fan/vent on the driver side or there around.

- Has anyone had the same problem and found a good workable solution?

Im thinking about putting a very small piece of cotton or something like that behind the buttons to see if that helps, but it might jam the button if I do too much and then it would be hard to get it out... Hence the question to get an answer from someone who has done some trail and error already

Like I said its a small issue, but with such a otherwise solid quality product as the M6 a sound like that can ruin some of the quality and solid feeling!
_

AGS · 3rd November 2009, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5 Roggan

Looking for a solution on a very small but somewhat annoying problem I have (guess i should be lucky to only have this kind of issues

)

The two small buttons on the indicator lever behind the wheel for the "Check" messages and "BC" for browsing through the board computer (time/temp, range, oil level etc) are rattling at certain speeds in my car... It started after fitting 20" wheels. The sound occurs on rougher tarmac and at certain speeds... I don't run very high pressure in my tires, the vibrations are only very subtly noticable when I hold my finger to the indicator lever itself. Currently I just hold my fingers on the buttons to make it quiet hehe.

Before I isolated the problem to these buttons I though it came from somewhere inside the fan/vent on the driver side or there around.

- Has anyone had the same problem and found a good workable solution?

Im thinking about putting a very small piece of cotton or something like that behind the buttons to see if that helps, but it might jam the button if I do too much and then it would be hard to get it out... Hence the question to get an answer from someone who has done some trail and error already

Like I said its a small issue, but with such a otherwise solid quality product as the M6 a sound like that can ruin some of the quality and solid feeling!
_

Had the same problem on my '06 M5, and had my dealer repalce the stalk at no change (but I was still under warranty). Have not found any self-implemented fix given how small the buttons are.

M5 Roggan · 3rd November 2009, 19:48

Thanks for the feedback, I guess this is a common issue, at least on 05 and 06 models. I dont think i want to find out what BMW would charge to replace the complete stalk incl labour as I no longer have the new car warranty...

Just had a look in the car and the buttons are hollow from the rear, so it should be possible to put something there to either make them heavier or fill the gap so they don't start to vibrate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGS

Had the same problem on my '06 M5, and had my dealer repalce the stalk at no change (but I was still under warranty). Have not found any self-implemented fix given how small the buttons are.

M5Express · 3rd November 2009, 20:14

This is a very common problem. Some people have put a black rubberband around the stalk to eliminate the noise, but now you have a black rubber band. Choose your poison. Hope this helps!

LJ Martin · 4th November 2009, 15:41

I have an 06 with the same problem. I think I'll try some slicion spray if that don't work I'll turn the rev's or stereo up.

chastee1 · 4th November 2009, 17:22

Even though it is out of warranty it is likely recently out of warranty, right? In the US dealers have a "good faith" account and can sometimes cover "warranty" work on cars that are just over the miles or timeline. It is worth asking the dealer if they would cover this as a warranty claim - assuming this kind of thing can be done at the companies' discretion in Sweden as well.

Copper · 4th November 2009, 17:34

I confirmed that this is the source of my little rattle today on my drive to the gym. I'll have the dealer replace the unit when I bring it in to have the OEM iPod interface installed.

Thank you for helping me isolate this! I was thinking it was one of the buttons on the steering wheel. My M5 is a 2006 model.

M5 Roggan · 4th November 2009, 18:57

Since my car is an import from Germany I very much doubt that BMW Sweden (who have been robbed of their margins) will give me goodwill for something like this.

However this is just a small and issue, I can think of at least 3-4 ways to solve it. Since the buttons are hollow and one of the reasons why they vibrate is based on their low inertia i was thinking of sticking something small and heavy to the back of them... Ill post on my solution when its done unless someone posts a solution that has worked for them before I do

Stormster · 6th November 2009, 00:03

Have the same problem! REALLY annoys me! Stupid I know....

Would love to know an easy fix. Have the £100 excess for my warranty so will get stalk replaced next time I have another claim.

hp99hp · 6th November 2009, 00:35

I had the dealer replace mine under warranty.