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Thread: Chirping Sound while turning steering wheel at idle.

  1. #1
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    Chirping Sound while turning steering wheel at idle.

    Hi all... 1995 525i 5SPD 278k

    For some reason while the car is on and at a stand still, as I turn the wheel there's a loud chirping continuous sound until I drive. It doesn't occur while I'm driving. Only when I'm at a stand still the chirp occurs. It's been happening for quite some time. I removed the belt a while back and put it back on (the same belt) and the chirp stopped. Gradually the chirping cam e back. It is very annoying and embarrassing. I have to drive as I turn to avoid the continuous chirp sound. Any idea what it could be? Belt looks good. Pulley look good. It only occurs when the car is on and not moving.

    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
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    Same thing occurred to me. You need a new belt. Even though it’s tensioned properly, they wear out on the edges and don’t fit into the V on the pulley. It only occurs while not moving because it’s less work for the steering pump to move the wheels while the car is moving. Hope this helps!


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  3. #3
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    moroza is offline MORΩN ΛABIA BMW CCA Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by moroza View Post
    Is it tensioned correctly? PS fluid ok?
    Most likely a belt issue as indicated, however the power steering reservoir contains a non serviceable filter. How old is your fluid? Replace the reservoir and fluid.


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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    Most likely a belt issue as indicated, however the power steering reservoir contains a non serviceable filter. How old is your fluid? Replace the reservoir and fluid.


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    To add onto this, when you take off the belt. Make sure you can spin the pump freely with your hand.


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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    Most likely a belt issue as indicated, however the power steering reservoir contains a non serviceable filter. How old is your fluid? Replace the reservoir and fluid.


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    I'm going to assume it's tensioned correctly. Fluid is at level but, I haven't changed it since I had the car (two years). I'll buy a new belt and do a flush.

  7. #7
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    moroza is offline MORΩN ΛABIA BMW CCA Member
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    Checking and readjusting the tensioner is free...

  8. #8
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    agreed.... Isn't the belt tensioner self adjusting?

  9. #9
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    moroza is offline MORΩN ΛABIA BMW CCA Member
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    No. It's spring-loaded but you still have to set it to the correct position. Also, the spring can wear out. If the tensioner is already at the tightest position, and the PS pump turns by hand, the last thing I'd try before a new belt (cheaper than a new tensioner) is swapping the main belt and AC belt tensioners (same part, easy swap), and see if that helps. Of course they could both be bad, but that's less likely. The tensioners are common to lots of 90's BMW's, easy to find used.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by moroza View Post
    No. It's spring-loaded but you still have to set it to the correct position. Also, the spring can wear out. If the tensioner is already at the tightest position, and the PS pump turns by hand, the last thing I'd try before a new belt (cheaper than a new tensioner) is swapping the main belt and AC belt tensioners (same part, easy swap), and see if that helps. Of course they could both be bad, but that's less likely. The tensioners are common to lots of 90's BMW's, easy to find used.
    I removed the AC belt a while back, since the AC unit wasn't blowing cold air. I will definitely check the tensioner and I ordered a new belt. Thanks for the info!

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