Lfmullin

Not heavy just a dull tap, you can feel the vibration if you put your hand onto the side down by the centre. It's a constant every 4 seconds.

I have a a tapping sound coming from around the centre of the dashboard towards the bottom. It doesn't matter if I drive or sat stationary it's always there, and it happens every 4 seconds. I've tried turning the climate on and off and makes no difference. I've tried turning the radio on and off and no difference. It does it when you turn the key to the accessory position as well with the engine off. It's annoying me now it just a tap/knock sound but when I lift the bonnet I can't hear it. Because it's constant I guessing it's from something being used but I have no idea what???? Anyone ever had this?

It is buzzard what some people do and why, it's far easier in the long run to fix a problem there and then. I still need a new ignition barrel as I've wrecked mine almost but at least I know a new one will work as it should now.

Sorted it :) they key was stuck because it's automatic the park function wasn't fully engaging so wouldnt release the key. Took the gearbox trim off and found, for some very strange reason a C sized battery under the gear lever mechanism. Removed it and key came straight out, now the ignition I s fully working and so is the locking :)

BMW told me I just need a barrel? I said what about a key and they said mine should be acceptes right away?

If I get a second hand ignition barrel with key, do I also need the ecu as I have no idea on this? On my saab I just took old barrel out put new one in with a different key and it started fine and that was immobiliser but I had the old key still on me, so I assume it will still recognise the key? I have two keys for my car just that the ignition barrel is screwed and need another one. Thanks all.

Thank you mr Beemer :)

The barrel is an easy fix I hope just the spring won't spring the key back out. I had another look just and when I turn the car off and lock it while say in it it stays locked. If I open the any door and shut it and lock it it unlocks again. If I lock it when turning the ignition off and it stays locked, I I unlock and lock again it stays locked. It seems to happen whenever a door opens and closes again for some reason, a very odd problem this :/

Thank you Phil :)

Had this car today, one of the issues is when you use the fob to lock it it unlocks right away. If you lock it with the key the same thing happens. I have to manually lock all the doors which I hate doing as it won't activate the alarm. I was told that the key kept turning and turning in the barrel so the previous owner took the switch off the back to bypass the barrel and started it with the key directly into the switch and turning. I managed to fix the barrel, so I thought, but now the key itself is stuck in the barrel and won't come out, but I can start it with the key now. But the car was locking perfectly fine with this problem prior, however since the key got stuck this locking problem has begun. Are they both related? Any help will be much appreciated :)

Hello everyone, I was "Given" my first BMW today, a 523 SE auto. It has a few issues which I will post about in the relevant sections. After years of owning saabs, the BMW seems a whole new world!! And big! Hoping to have many years happy motoring with it, and look forward to getting to know people on the forum, and learning new things and Contributing to posts :)