[dsgs]

I run the pre-conditioning/climatization in the car before leaving in the mornings. It emits a lot of noise -- not unexpected. But it sounds a bit like a wayward buzzsaw -- a loud buzzing fan noise.

I wonder if it is malfunctioning. What does your i5 sound like when you pre-condition it in the cold?

[finn123]

Same

[MikeElmendorf]

Volume and sounds varies. The more it needs to warm up, the louder it is in my experience.

[mwilson122]

Are you sure that's not the heat pump compressor you're hearing?

[dsgs]

Originally Posted by mwilson122

Are you sure that's not the heat pump compressor you're hearing?

I'm not sure what it is. It makes the buzzing sound when it starts, and it eventually fades to something less grating but still loud. I'm just wondering if it's normal.

[mwilson122]

What you describe sounds like a normal compressor to me, so probably nothing to worry about. Easiest way to confirm it's not the blower fan is to vary the fan speed from the climate menu, leaving the temperature and other settings the same. If the sound is the same regardless of fan speed, it's just the compressor running. And sometimes they can get quite loud; the less energy available to transfer from one side to the other, the harder it has to work.

[finn123]

If you don’t hear bangs or similar sounds, you’re ok

[dsgs]

Originally Posted by finn123

If you don’t hear bangs or similar sounds, you’re ok

There's no fire or smoke coming out. Must be fine!

[Scrapula]

I hear nothing when I start it up because I am inside. When I go out, there is a small amount of noise but much quieter than my husband’s Lightning and my neighbor’s Tesla.

[dave4to5]

Heard some substantial buzzing today from preconditioning. Wasn't sure it was actually the car (neighbors having some work done on their house too), then remembered this post. Nothing exploded, so I think we're fine.

[aptekcom]

This is interesting. It’s been cold recently and I parked my car in the garage. I’ve noticed over the past two or three weeks that when I get into the car and turn it on, there’s a medium sound buzz that comes from the middle of the dashboard. Right near the center AC vents. I thought it was the air conditioning fan or something, but I turned that off and the buzz continued. It last about 30 seconds or so and then goes off. Almost sounds like a fan with a bearing that’s gone bad. Do you think that this is related to what you guys are talking about? I don’t use preconditioning at all.

[dfc888]

I hear it too. Whooshing, buzzing, clicking, fans whirling, taps, and the occasional pops during pre-climatization, pre-conditioning, and fast charging.

It's pretty normal for EVs since there are heat pumps running, coolant gushing through the battery system, batteries undergoing temperature changes, etc. (used to have a Tesla Model 3 that would do all this and pop loudly due to temperature changes and everything flexing).

[aptekcom]

I had a model S for seven years as well. But I’ve never heard this noise inside the cabin that turns off after about 30 seconds. It hasn’t bothered me enough because it does eventually turn off, but if it gets worse, I may have to have it checked out. I’d rather them not rip apart the dash to see what that could be.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by aptekcom

This is interesting. It’s been cold recently and I parked my car in the garage. I’ve noticed over the past two or three weeks that when I get into the car and turn it on, there’s a medium sound buzz that comes from the middle of the dashboard. Right near the center AC vents. I thought it was the air conditioning fan or something, but I turned that off and the buzz continued. It last about 30 seconds or so and then goes off. Almost sounds like a fan with a bearing that’s gone bad. Do you think that this is related to what you guys are talking about? I don’t use preconditioning at all.

Are you sure it isn't the cellphone charger fan? If you put your phone in the tray, a little fan comes on to cool your phone. It's in the slot in the charger tray.

[aptekcom]

It could definitely be that but I only hear it at startup for 30-45 seconds and that’s it. I have my phone on that charger all the time.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by aptekcom

It could definitely be that but I only hear it at startup for 30-45 seconds and that’s it. I have my phone on that charger all the time.

Yeah, it does that at first, then quiets down after about that 30-45 seconds. I think it starts on fast, to make sure it works, then goes to a slower speed and quiets down unless your phone gets hot it might speed up again.

[aptekcom]

Confirmed. That is what the noise is. It was quiet until I put my phone down and then all of a sudden it started. It seems quite loud, is that something that I should get checked out or pretty normal? Thank you for the suggestion!

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by aptekcom

Confirmed. That is what the noise is. It was quiet until I put my phone down and then all of a sudden it started. It seems quite loud, is that something that I should get checked out or pretty normal? Thank you for the suggestion!

I think it's pretty normal. It Seems like just about everyone has it. I don't think there is anything they can do about it. It just depends how sensitive your hearing is and how much it annoys you. It doesn't bother me, and I know it's normal and will go away after a few seconds. Most cellphones will get warm the more you use them. And then again they get warm while charging. So I think the mentality behind it is that if you have been using your phone, then get in your car and put the phone on the charger, it helps cool down the phone while it starts the charging process. Now if it was like that all the time I had my phone on the charger it would annoy the hell out of me.

[Blue Sky]

If it’s buzzing abnormally, it may be that the fan blades are hitting something. I have had something like this happen on older BMWs and also Corvette. In those cases, a small fan in the dash is used to pull air through a small grille on the dash over a temperature sensor to measure the cabin air temperature, and it can break (BMW) or come off/misalign (Corvette) and make buzzing sounds.