Beeping sound

[Rev]

I don't know if anyone can help, but I'm getting a type of loud warning beep, beep, beep noise after driving my car for a while, maybe half an hour. It lasts for a few seconds and then ceases.

There doesn't appear to be any faults on the car or warning lights on the dash.

Its happened several times and I've scoured the hand book and cannot find anything that gives me a clue as to why.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Nick

[Sawbones]

Nick,

Could be your tire pressure warning system. The first time I heard my tire pressure warning go off it took me awhile to figure out what it was. Look for the small warning light in the cluster the next time it happens.

[Norcal]

I just heard mine beep for the first time a few days ago, I never noticed it before. I was driving with the top up for once (rain).

[thegunguy]

Outside temp warning?

[Rev]

All food for thought, and thanks for your input, but I don't think they are correct.

If it were tyres or temperature I'm pretty sure the dash lights would stay on. I haven't seen any lights at all.

It's a pretty loud sound (makes you jump), so it wouldn't be missed. Definitely a audible alarm of some kind.

Only ever happened with the roof has been up, I can't remember it happening with it down now you mentioned it.

Have to say it's nice to hear that others have had the same experience. Indicates there may be a reason other than a fault, but so far I can't understand it.

If it is an alarm or a warning would a Dealer be able to diagnose it via his computer link?

[thegunguy]

I've removed the terrible OE dash unit, but did it have speed warning in the computer? This is common on BMWs, but I'd describe its warning as a chime, not a loud beep. That's the same with my thoughts on the outside temp warning - chime. From memory, I can't think of any warning that's standard on a BMW product that would be so loud that it would "make you jump".

As far as a service center's ability to diagnose, that's hard to say when we're all unsure of your issue. If it's some sort of warning based on a fault, then it's likely a code can be pulled via the OBDII interface. If you're not the original owner, it's possible that there is some aftermarket device like a radar detector causing the beeping (which matches your description). In that case, the computer will not be able to help you. Either way, I'd just take it in to get it analyzed and eliminate the "head scratching".

[Scott Pettit]

I do not think that they used audible tones for those warnings on the Z8.

[Rev]

I have the car booked in for next week at the local dealer.

Mines the only one thats ever been into this particular dealership, so they're not exactly the best people to ask, but we'll see what happens!

[Z8Mania]

Is it a fairly obnoxious sound? It will make it if your headlights are on.

[Rev]

Yes it is, and yes they were, but I wasn't stationery. I was travelling at the time.

[Z8Mania]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well that would certainly get my attention also! Id say its time to visit the dealer.

[Rev]

Its been to the dealers and they couldn't get the computer system of the car to respond... It seems we have a problem.

They now need to book the car back in with more time allocated and remove the dash, so its looking like an expensive problem.

I'll let you know the outcome.

Thanks for all your help. Appreciated.

[thegunguy]

Removing the dash on the Z8 is a major process that will take quite a few hours of shop time. What exactly does "they couldn't get the computer to respond" mean? Did the try both ODB 2 ports? Some years and functions require accessing the port in the engine bay rather than the on under the dash.

This approach sounds a little like exploratory surgery to me, as I believe you mentioned the service center has never worked on a Z8. You might weigh the cost of having the car transported to a more experienced service center with the potential number of hours these guys could spend "learning" on your car.

[Rev]

They said that when they plugged in they were getting no response from the system. Above and beyond that I've no idea!

Not very knowledgeable or interested in what goes on under the bonnet (hood) normally. I just drive the damned thing.

BUT... I have in the past had terribly bad experiences of letting people that don't know their way around certain cars making awful mistakes. So any input is extremely helpful and accepted very gratefully.

I would add I'm in the UK and there are not many of these cars around anywhere. Extremely thin on the ground and rare. So I wouldn't know where to find someone that knows their way around one.

Germany perhaps is my best bet!

:)

[thegunguy]

There are a few board members from the UK. You might be able to reach out to them for service recommendations.

[macfly]

I would certainly check in with the Z8 Club's UK representative as he may have a dealership suggestion - Michael Coates - michael@michaelc.flyer.co.uk

[harvey2]

Without any more information than has been posted, I see a Red Flag on this one. Just speculating, but these have happened to me in the past:
- the OBD plug under the dash is held in place by a plastic clip. the clip broke and no longer held the connector in place so it was pushed backwards when we tried to engage the OBD cable, so the OBD cable could not properly mate to it. This would look like a dead computer.
- there was a firmware upgrade a few years back to resolve incompatibility problems with many mechanic's computers and those at the smog test stations. Would lack of this upgrade look like a dead OBD. I don't think so.

In my opinion a completely unresponsive OBD interface is hard to believe.

[hayvenhurstkid]

This may be a long shot, but maybe the convertible top was not fully latched above the windshield. I know that when I had my car, you had to hold it down and wait a few seconds while it fully engaged. Just a thought.

[Rev]

Anything at all that may solve my problem is appreciated, so I'm grateful for all your replies and I'll investigate them all and print the thread out and give it to the dealer if needs be.

I'll go to the garage now and look for the socket for the OBD and reseat my roof.

I can't think there is anything to badly wrong or it wouldn't run as well as it does.

Thanks again.

Nick

[Rev]

All problems solved finally.

It seems I had a broken wire under the centre console. This was causing problems with the OBD and Air Bags.

Thanks to all that tried to help.

:)

[macfly]

Wow, that is an odd one, and could have had everyone scratching their heads for ages, did the say what broke it, was it rubbing against something?

[Rev]

Even they said it was odd!

As I wouldn't have understood anyway I didn't go to deeply into it, but they said it was virtually as if it had been cut?!?!

I bought the car about 9 months ago, and it had been fine (only travelled around 1,500 miles) and about 100 miles ago the problems occurred.

Have to say that I'd worked myself up to expecting a large invoice, but it was quickly resolved and cost a nominal amount.

So all's well that ends well.

I have used the forum to look up several small issues that I've had with the car. Seat backs falling off being one and a flat battery being another. Incredibly useful and a wonderful resource. Very nice to have had the support of this forum. It's a credit to many fellow enthusiasts.

Makes a great car a little more special.

Thanks again.

[Norcal]

I'd have to say, half the value of the Z8 is access to this group. Glad to hear it was all figured out... someone tried to steal it? (cut wire under dash?)