I was at a stop this afternoon (in 112 degree heat) and my Mini made the loudest screeching sound inside the cabin. It almost sounded like the stereo freaked out - like a high pitched emergency broadcast noise. It scared me to death - it was sooooo extremely loud! If I would have been rolling when it happened, I probably would have wrecked! Any idea what it could have been?

 

If the noise did come through the speakers it could have just been Radio Frequency (RF) interference. We have a guy that transmits a radio program from his truck using a transmitter installed in the truck bed. When he drives by our office and is keyed up (transmitting) it bleeds right into our computer speakers and scares us each time it happens.

My other thought is that it could be a cooling fan bearing starting to go.

 

I have had this happen and so have others. It happens....

 

Thanks, hopefully it is only RF, I would hate to have the cooling fan go out.

 

Next time it happens, try turning off the heating/cooling fan (the interior fan). I bet the noise will stop if it the sound I think you are talking about. The bad news is if the heating/cooling fan for the cabin goes bad, it is a huge job to replace.

 

It scared me so bad that I didn't have time to react. I hope it never does it again! The noise didn't last that long though...

 

was the stereo on or off when this occurred?

 

Stereo was on, volume was low.

 

Mine happened when the Bluetooth phone was pairing with the system. It just screetched at me. From time to time the paring goes wrong and come back with the volume full blast. I have to hit the power button to reset it.

The screetch only happened once, but the volume bit happens a lot. Quirk of MINIs....