BMW X5 electrical tapping sound passenger door area.

[sonicscooter]

Hi, my first post, and my first few weeks with a BMW X5, and my first BM. I would say every other time i start the car and set off, i can hear a tapping sound coming from around the passenger side door area, it sort of sounds like a solonoid would, it taps about once a second, its hard to tell exactly were its coming from but i would say the nearest i could put it, is around the front speaker area. If i stop the car, turn the engine off and re-start, it doesn't do it again until i start up again, so it is random. The other thing i've noticed is that the carpet is wet in the passenger foot well, so perhaps water is causing an electrical short?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Shane.

[parkem50]

Hi. The ticking is the pre heater. It helps warm the car up quickly. Nothing to worry about. I think it is called a wabasto. Looking in the engine its a grey box top right with a few wires coming out. Its outlet is under the passenger door, which is what you are hearing.
As for the wet carpet I can't help. Sorry.
I bloody love my x5! Enjoy.

[sonicscooter]

Parkem50 Thanks for your reply, i like the car altough its complex, the drive is brilliant, and for a 2 tonne lump, when you put your foot through the carpet, it does pick up and run.

Cheers Shane.

[navier_stokes]

On mine, the pre-heater only makes this noise when the outside temp is <6 degrees or so and should go away once the engine is half way up to full temp- but yes, nothing to worry about!

[sonicscooter]

navier_stokes Thanks, its put my mind at rest, not a sound i've heard on a car before.

Chers Shane.