[Z4MC] Odd clicking every 15 seconds

[KevinC]

OK this is bizarre. I get back into the car to drive home from the grocery store tonight, and I've got some sort of solenoid operating every 13-15 seconds. First I thought it was the pin that locks the gas cap, or the central locking system, but I'm pretty sure it's neither. It seems to be coming from under the passenger side of the car, right behind the seat someplace. Fuel pump? Maybe, but there's no priming or pumping noises at all, just a "clack-clunk" type of noise. Just checked and it's still at it, an hour later and with the ignition off and key out of the car.

WTH? Anyone have a clue what's going on? No CEL, no other clues. I'm concerned the battery will be dead by morning (the all-night 100-degree temps in my garage don't help).

[keepittrill]

Originally Posted by KevinC

OK this is bizarre. I get back into the car to drive home from the grocery store tonight, and I've got some sort of solenoid operating every 13-15 seconds. First I thought it was the pin that locks the gas cap, or the central locking system, but I'm pretty sure it's neither. It seems to be coming from under the passenger side of the car, right behind the seat someplace. Fuel pump? Maybe, but there's no priming or pumping noises at all, just a "clack-clunk" type of noise. Just checked and it's still at it, an hour later and with the ignition off and key out of the car.

WTH? Anyone have a clue what's going on? No CEL, no other clues. I'm concerned the battery will be dead by morning (the all-night 100-degree temps in my garage don't help).

The M3 guys say this is a common problem, some ticking noise coming from their engines

[KevinC]

Definitely not the engine. It's a solenoid someplace, but not under the hood.

[seank]

My wifes car made all kinds of clicking noise and dash light flashing when the battery was going bad. It was as if it were alive.

[KevinC]

Battery *should* be fine, it's on #2, and I got almost 5 years out of the original, and this one is OEM AGM as well. Though I suppose it's possible, as the Phoenix heat is generally brutal on batteries.

[XMetal]

Easiest way to find out is to hook up a voltmeter to it. What are you getting with the car off vs when it's running?

[Endless619]

Also check for a nail or object in your tire or fender well. I had a clicking every few seconds from behind my rear seat and turns out it was a nail in my tire.

[StickMon]

Could start pulling fuses. I would start with the power seat, and work my way down the list of most likely suspects.

Door locks, power windows, ...

At least it happens every 15 seconds, not 15 minutes, so it shouldn't be that hard to find.

[pokeybritches]

^ WHS