I have a problem with my car that I'm hoping someone will have some suggestions for as my mechanics and I are coming up short.
When I run the A/C, I have what I would call a "low level" vibration coming from the front of the car. You can hear it, feel it in the steering wheel, etc. Not good but not mind-blowing annoying.
Intermittently, I get a more intense vibration (also from the front of the car) that you can definitely hear and feel, particularly when at idle. It was so bad when I was driving a few weeks ago that I thought I had a flat tire and was riding on a rim.
I bought the car in November and don't remember any of these vibrations when I tested the a/c during the checkout/drive.
So what changed since then? I had the mechanics put in a clutch. But we don't think that's related.
Their diagnostic work has centered around the auxiliary fan on the condenser because when you unplug the fan, the vibration goes away and the car idles as smooth as silk (a/c still on).
They've tried a brand new fan and also a "known good" used fan from one of the mechanic's cars in the shop. A total of 3 different fans and it doesn't solve the problem.
They've replaced the motor mounts (which were shot) but that didn't help either.
Thankfully, they're not charging me for all this time for troubleshooting but I think we're all about at wit's end as to what it could be.
Any thoughts, insights, or experiences would be appreciated!
Todd Z.
P.S. The shop doing the work is a reputable Bimmer shop here in the Phoenix area. So they know BMWs.
When I run the A/C, I have what I would call a "low level" vibration coming from the front of the car. You can hear it, feel it in the steering wheel, etc. Not good but not mind-blowing annoying.
Intermittently, I get a more intense vibration (also from the front of the car) that you can definitely hear and feel, particularly when at idle. It was so bad when I was driving a few weeks ago that I thought I had a flat tire and was riding on a rim.
I bought the car in November and don't remember any of these vibrations when I tested the a/c during the checkout/drive.
So what changed since then? I had the mechanics put in a clutch. But we don't think that's related.
Their diagnostic work has centered around the auxiliary fan on the condenser because when you unplug the fan, the vibration goes away and the car idles as smooth as silk (a/c still on).
They've tried a brand new fan and also a "known good" used fan from one of the mechanic's cars in the shop. A total of 3 different fans and it doesn't solve the problem.
They've replaced the motor mounts (which were shot) but that didn't help either.
Thankfully, they're not charging me for all this time for troubleshooting but I think we're all about at wit's end as to what it could be.
Any thoughts, insights, or experiences would be appreciated!
Todd Z.
P.S. The shop doing the work is a reputable Bimmer shop here in the Phoenix area. So they know BMWs.