While driving home from California to Arizona. I was getting a high pitched whine coming from what sounded like the passenger side. It definately sounded mechanical, sorta like wind passing through or over something. I was averaging about 80-85 mph when it appeared. I am bringing it in to the dealer very soon. I am just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience...

 

You sure it's not the supercharger whine? it's on the passenger side too.. also, when driving for long periods, i tend to hear things that I haven't before..

 

Probably your AC system. Mine will start to whine at certain freeway speeds. Turn off your AC when you hear it and see if it goes away.

 

Did it sound mechanical (ie tapping, grinding, etc) or like wind? The wind noise can be eliminated by closing the vents at high speed. Try that and see if it goes away.

 

I think Dom has the Answer. The A/C whistles when on recirc at that speed.

 

though sound like some likely culprits. I dont think it was the supercharger. But the A/C sounds more like it. I am just afraid to being it is 110 here today...lol

 

BTW, from my understanding, the noise is in the design of the system and is not something that can be fixed.

 

You can turn that air circulation button off. I did and it went away.

 

I read over on MINI2 that there is an official fix (for the recirc. issue) that can be performed under warranty. It involves replacing a seal at the firewall. Mine does it too, but I haven't been in to get it fixed.

 

I had a wheel bearing go bad and it made a high pitch sounds at high speeds (100 and above). Not saying this is what you hear, but if you hit something hard on that side you might want to think about it.

 

It's the seal problem. I have it and no matter what I do, short of going in and having it fixed, has eliminated the noise. For me it happens at around 50 or so driving into a stiff wind or at much higher speeds without wind. Kind of a moaning whistle.

 

I have the same problem mentioned above. When recirc is on and speed is above 70 mph there is a whistle out of the passenger side vents area. It's been to the dealer twice and each time they said it was fixed. Either they're deaf or sick of trying to fix the problem. There was a known issue with this that they had a bulletin on but the "fix" didn't fix my problem. It goes back in today. I have searched this forum and mini2 with no luck finding a fix. Anyone have anymore ideas as to a cure...just turn the recirc off doesn't count as a cure. I live in one of the most polluted cities in the country and dislike the smells from the oil and gas refineries. Also, the car is an '05 MCSa with 1700 miles on it.


Thanks for any and all help.

 

I had a high pitched whine coming from the passenger side and I finally eliminated it. I told my wife to stay home.

 

reefkid,
Any updates? Mine has also been in twice for the same issue as yours...

 

My car is still in the shop. They haven't called me to give an update yet...not a good sign. They seemed to think the windscreen may need to be resealed. I'll call Tuesday. The Chevy Impala they gave me as a loaner just doesn't cut it...it's got a bench f'ing front seat!!!

I'll keep you posted.

 

Apparently mine is the opposite of everyone else, or I refer to the settings differently.

Mine whistles when the air is set to fresh, what I'd call "recirc off". If I press the button (button lights up), the whistle stops. This annoys me to no end. I thought it was a window seal until I did a search and realized that it's a widespread problem.

 

hope she does not read that

 

Latest update...I stopped by the dealer to get something out of my car and they had been cruising around in it with the edges of the windows and doors taped up to try to temorarily fix the problem. They say it now whistles with the recirc on or off and haven't been able to isolate the problem. On the bright side, I "traded" in my Chevy Impala for a Honda Accord.

 

I got my car back on Friday. It no longer whistles like before. Apparently the air was coming into the car on the driver's side hood and somehow entering the passenger compartment via a loose seal somewhere on the firewall. So any of you having this problem may want to get the dealer to check all seals in the firewall.

 

Glad to hear you gots yours fixed, they replaced/added the seals on mine the first time I took it in. I've got an appointment in a few weeks, hopefully they can figure it out. Thanks for the update.

 

I had about decided it was my wiper arm? Now I am really confused. Also, it does seem to be less when my wife is driving?

 

I took mine back in and they said it was the ALTA intake that is making the sound. Anyone else have this problem? I think they are trying to take the blame away from them- go figure!

 

Can someone who has had the firewall seal fixed post the TSB or number (s) referenced for the service and parts on the paperwork? Thanks a bunch, that would be very helpful for anyone taking their car in, or who has taken it in and the dealer has no knowledge of the fix