2002 BMW X5 constant audible tone

Tiny
PEPPER1888
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 BMW X5
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 80,000 MILES
I have a 3.0i x5 which has recently had a constant audible tone inside the cab, this tone is audible from the moment the door is opened on the vehicle (before entry & before the key is in the ignition). The tone sounds very similar if not the same to the sound that is heard from the pdc when parked too close to another vehicle. Also when the pdc button is pressed there is another audible tone for a few seconds and the green led continually flashes. I suspect there is a fault with 1 of the sensors, but am unsure if this is also the cause of the other continuous audible tone. Please can you help.
Saturday, January 24th, 2009 AT 5:37 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 9,603 POSTS
Sound is sometimes a difficult thing to describe in enough detail to be able to make a determination as to what it might be. If there is an issue with the park distance control, then pushing the button should mute that and if there is a fault in the system the LED will flash so you have found one of the issues and it should be addressed ASAP. Look for damaged or disconnected PDC sensors and for something that could be in the line of sight for the sensors. I have had to remove license plate frames and trailer hitches to stop PDC from showing a vehicle presence.
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Saturday, January 24th, 2009 AT 11:33 AM
Tiny
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I appreciate your input thanx.
Since posting ny first comment I have double checked the vehicle, I have taken it through a car wash to ensure it is not dirt that is affecting the sensors, and have also noted that the constant audible tone remains even after leaving the vehicle and locking the doors? So even though the vehicle is parked up and locked the audible tone is still going off as it can be heard when putting your ear to the window, is this of any more help in narrowing down what the possible cause could be?
Thanx again.
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Saturday, January 24th, 2009 AT 4:01 PM
Tiny
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If the PDC system is making noise with the doors locked and the key out, then there maybe a stuck or shorted comfort relay involved here. Try pulling the PDC fuses and see if that stops the noise. I realize this may be a slow process, but lets stay in touch during this process and I will help you figure this out, OK?
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Saturday, January 24th, 2009 AT 5:23 PM
Tiny
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I took the vehicle to have a diagnostic check today, and the fault came up as -
"Code 10, Acoustic Generator Front - short to ground or open circiut".
Do you know if "Code 10" refers to anything in particular, or if it even narrows it down certain circuits?
Once again I would be extremely grateful for any assistance, thank you.
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Sunday, January 25th, 2009 AT 11:34 AM
Tiny
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How was this fault extracted and by whom, was it the dealer or an independent agent? Fault code 10 by itself means little without a fault description. In my dealings with customers at the dealership, I always tried to communicate without using technical jargon and to put myself in the customers position. And if I didn't know what fault code 10 meant, I would tell them so, and then I would get the answer, customer service isn't what it could be anymore.
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Sunday, January 25th, 2009 AT 11:49 AM
Tiny
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The diagnostic check was carried out at www. Dashfixer. Com, I have had no previous dealing with this place, but it was the only place I could find open on a sunday afternoon, I was just desperate for some sort of info as to the fault (as you can imagine the noise is driving me mad), although in hindsite im really no further forward.
Im hoping some1 else has previously had this fault and could shed some more light on it for me as I dont want to end up having to pay a fortune in labour for something that could be trivial !
Thanks again for your reply, im gona keep searching the net in hope of getting some answers, if I come accross anything I shall let you know, and if you have any more ideas I would again be extremely grateful.
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Sunday, January 25th, 2009 AT 12:10 PM
Tiny
PEPPER1888
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It turns out there was a carton of milk spilt in the boot of my x5 recently and it worked its way into some sort of computer control module or pcb causing the previously reported fault. Apparently this part costs around  500 from bmw, does any1 know of anywhere else this could be sourced?
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Sunday, February 1st, 2009 AT 8:26 AM
Tiny
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If you get me a part number, I can probably get one.
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Sunday, February 1st, 2009 AT 12:16 PM

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