HVAC Vent popping/crackling noise

lateapex'er · 12-28-2017, 10:57 AM

Anyone experiencing popping crackling noises after cold starting vehicle? Occurs almost immediately after starting the vehicle and lasts for about 10/15 seconds, sometimes longer. The sound is coming from the vents located beneath the hazard button. Is this normal?

jdgamble · 12-29-2017, 06:48 PM

Just noticed it for the first time. Not sure that makes it normal, but at least you're not alone.

harma24 · 12-29-2017, 06:48 PM

-5 degF this morning. No noise.

Sorry.

aerobod · 12-29-2017, 07:56 PM

-26°C (-15°F) when I left work today, temperature didn’t get above -25°C all day, no cracking or popping interior noises.

XutvJet · 12-29-2017, 10:28 PM

Normal. It's the cold plastic housing warming up. Some days you can't hear it, other days it can be a little noisy. There are also some automated HVAC flaps that open and close and you can sometimes hear that operation as well.

lateapex'er · 12-30-2017, 10:00 AM

Thanks for all the responses everyone. Took my car in for a routine oil change yesterday. Mentioned it to the rep, he said that's common in cold weather and nothing to be worried about.

wjjkoevoets · 01-02-2018, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lateapex'er

Thanks for all the responses everyone. Took my car in for a routine oil change yesterday. Mentioned it to the rep, he said that's common in cold weather and nothing to be worried about.

Late reply, but my 2014 M235i has been doing this since I got it and the AC works just fine. AC in my old house used to make the same noises

Shouldn't be an issue.

lateapex'er · 01-08-2018, 08:16 AM

Update for anyone interested. Dealer replaced "intake silencer". Noise is still there. I've just accepted the fact that it is normal and moved on! Thanks for all the responses.

xojustin · 01-10-2018, 02:34 PM

100% normal from my experience. Happens literally every time I start the car.

What I'm wondering, however, is the random "crackling / popping" noises I hear from that area coming from those vents opening / closing or the actual dash itself.

Personal opinion is BMW used way too much cheap / thin plastic on the interior of this otherwise perfect sports coupe.

12-28-2017, 10:57 AM	#1
lateapex'er Second Lieutenant 127 Rep 287 Posts Drives: 2014 228i M-Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: NJ/MD iTrader: (4)	HVAC Vent popping/crackling noise Anyone experiencing popping crackling noises after cold starting vehicle? Occurs almost immediately after starting the vehicle and lasts for about 10/15 seconds, sometimes longer. The sound is coming from the vents located beneath the hazard button. Is this normal?
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12-29-2017, 06:48 PM	#2
jdgamble Captain 299 Rep 798 Posts Drives: 18 CQM M3 - My family car Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Danville, CA iTrader: (0)	Just noticed it for the first time. Not sure that makes it normal, but at least you're not alone.
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12-29-2017, 06:48 PM	#3
harma24 Captain 411 Rep 759 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i Glacier Silver Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: 19.5mi NNW of Boston, MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M240i [0.00]	-5 degF this morning. No noise. Sorry. __________________ Fun Cars (daily drivers) 2001-2016: 2001 Honda Prelude \| 2016 - present: 2017 M240xi Glacier Silver Coupe Family Cars: 1993-2014: 1993 Honda Accord 10th Anniversary Edition \| 2014-Present: 2014 Honda Odyssey Stable-mate: 2019 - present: 2020 230xi Seaside Blue Convertible
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12-29-2017, 07:56 PM	#4
aerobod Car Geek 4210 Rep 3,880 Posts Drives: Caterham R500, M2-G87, Macan S Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	-26°C (-15°F) when I left work today, temperature didn’t get above -25°C all day, no cracking or popping interior noises.
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12-29-2017, 10:28 PM	#5
XutvJet Major General 5922 Rep 5,516 Posts Drives: 2011 Cayman Base, 2016 M235 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (-1)	Normal. It's the cold plastic housing warming up. Some days you can't hear it, other days it can be a little noisy. There are also some automated HVAC flaps that open and close and you can sometimes hear that operation as well.
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12-30-2017, 10:00 AM	#6
lateapex'er Second Lieutenant 127 Rep 287 Posts Drives: 2014 228i M-Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: NJ/MD iTrader: (4)	Thanks for all the responses everyone. Took my car in for a routine oil change yesterday. Mentioned it to the rep, he said that's common in cold weather and nothing to be worried about.
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01-08-2018, 08:16 AM	#8
lateapex'er Second Lieutenant 127 Rep 287 Posts Drives: 2014 228i M-Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: NJ/MD iTrader: (4)	Update for anyone interested. Dealer replaced "intake silencer". Noise is still there. I've just accepted the fact that it is normal and moved on! Thanks for all the responses.
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01-10-2018, 02:34 PM	#9
xojustin schmember 22 Rep 58 Posts Drives: '16 M235i AW/BLK Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	100% normal from my experience. Happens literally every time I start the car. What I'm wondering, however, is the random "crackling / popping" noises I hear from that area coming from those vents opening / closing or the actual dash itself. Personal opinion is BMW used way too much cheap / thin plastic on the interior of this otherwise perfect sports coupe.
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