HELP, my 540i E39 make a strange whistle noise only at high speed ( 95MPH+)

[FernandoOliveir]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUSZjELY9lA


There are 2 videos to show the whistle noise. Iv made with AC on and off, and the noise still alive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu8W3OlR_Sk

[rlordjr]

Check the grill for a stuck whistle pig. They really start hollering when you go fast...

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[FernandoOliveir]

Check the grill for a stuck whistle pig. They really start hollering when you go fast...

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ok, thnaks, but in the last time it was in good condition.

[JimLev]

Maybe the wife in the front seat (or the trunk?)

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

Roof racks up on the roof?

[CPHES]

Look carefully for any loose trim. Tape the sunroof seam with painters tape. Look under for any loose plastic panels. Don’t get a ticket while figuring this out.

[Santaclaus4]

My car makes the same noise at about the same speeds. It's the trim across the top of the windshield. It's getting slightly distorted from age and very slightly lifting at the back edge. Push it down or run tape across it.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

My car makes the same noise at about the same speeds. It's the trim across the top of the windshield. It's getting slightly distorted from age and very slightly lifting at the back edge. Push it down or run tape across it.

Ahhh,..... Yeah, that is it, now that I think of it, I have a couple of RC composite airplanes that use the upper sections of the main wings as the hinge points for the ailerons, at high speed, when you make the plane roll, it whistles like crazy, very audible from the ground, when one aileron swivels up, it opens the bottom section up, and as long as the airplane is going faster than 65-75mph, it creates that whistle. We've clock them with radar guns, and at full throttle, the 100cc plane will hit 120mph, the 150cc version of the same airplane, an Extra300, I've had at 125, but that's really pushing the airframe a bit hard, but what a feeling!

[FernandoOliveir]

i have to run tape outside ou inside of the car ? both ?

[Santaclaus4]

Outside, across the top of the windshield. Tape the back edge of the rubber strip to the roof. You can try to just push it down. I did that and after several tries it's way better. I purchased a new windshield trim strip but haven't installed it yet.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

It only about $45 for an OEM one.

[FernandoOliveir]

No.

[JimLev]

No.

No to what??

[Ed CT]

Also check that all 4 jack pads are there and seated properly. A missing jack pad creates a whistle.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

No.

No??? Ok, so maybe not..... I correct myself.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...SABEgLCT_D_BwE

[FernandoOliveir]

Roof racks up on the roof?

No for that =D.

[philly98540]

Yup, likely the top of the windshield rubber seal. I had the same thing years ago. I simply pushed it back in tight and it went away. If your windshield was replaced, they may have goobered up and have excess seal crap preventing the seal from fitting correct.

Also as mentioned, the jack pads being missing can make noise too.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

I never knew that about the jack pads.

[edjack]

When the pad is missing, there is the mounting hole. Like blowing over the top of a beer (or other) bottle.

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

When the pad is missing, there is the mounting hole. Like blowing over the top of a beer (or other) bottle.

I get it, I just never thought about it on the jack pads if they were missing.

[Santaclaus4]

Yup, likely the top of the windshield rubber seal. I had the same thing years ago. I simply pushed it back in tight and it went away. If your windshield was replaced, they may have goobered up and have excess seal crap preventing the seal from fitting correct.

That's why I never installed the new rubber strip. I found that if I pushed the strip back down along the top edge of the windshield, the noise went away. It hasn't come back in a couple years. At least not up to 120...

[mattmar1]

+1 on the jack pads...have seen that happen on 2 cars.

[FernandoOliveir]

I’ll put the tape on it and test

[rdl]

+1 on the jack pads...have seen that happen on 2 cars.

Interesting that you got a whistle.

I had the front driver's side jack pad drop out and the result was a low rumble at highway speed. I first though I had a tire problem and then half convinced myself it was the front left wheel hub/bearing. The sound would even change a bit on a turn, although not as much as one would expect. However as soon as I noticed the missing jack pad and replaced it the "bad hub" cured itself. I suppose the change in sound during turning was a result of air flow over the jack pad pocket changing enough to adjust the tone and loudness of the resonance in the cavity.

I'm curious. Which jack pad(s) created the whistle for you?
(the distinction I'm making between whistle and rumble is in pitch rather than loudness. Same for you too?)

[FernandoOliveir]

all jack pads are installed.