[Agent Orange]

2012 x3 35i - 12,000 miles.

I can only recall hearing this noise twice (last time was yesterday). After stopping the car (after a 35 mile drive), I heard a whirring or "pumping" noise coming from the right rear wheel well area. I could not figure out what it was. It went on for a minute or two and stopped.

I know that strange sounds sometimes come out of the X3, but this was something I hadn't encountered before.

Any insights?

[noka]

Originally Posted by Agent Orange

2012 x3 35i - 12,000 miles.

I can only recall hearing this noise twice (last time was yesterday). After stopping the car (after a 35 mile drive), I heard a whirring or "pumping" noise coming from the right rear wheel well area. I could not figure out what it was. It went on for a minute or two and stopped.

I know that strange sounds sometimes come out of the X3, but this was something I hadn't encountered before.

Any insights?

Any windshield washer fluid come out of rear wiper?

[Agent Orange]

Originally Posted by noka

Any windshield washer fluid come out of rear wiper?

Now that you mention it, I just filled the washer fluid under the hood yesterday! So perhaps it was pumping some to the back???

[X3Bimmer]

Pressurized fuel pump?

[noka]

Originally Posted by Agent Orange

Now that you mention it, I just filled the washer fluid under the hood yesterday! So perhaps it was pumping some to the back???

Several people have experienced "JBE" failure that causes washer fluid to pump constantly, until X3 goes to sleep. Check for puddles under vehicle, associated pump noise and prematurely empty fluid reservoir.

[02420X3]

Good suggestion, but IIRC, the JBE failures have only been reported on 2013's. I believe that the OP has a '12.

[noka]

Originally Posted by 02420X3

Good suggestion, but IIRC, the JBE failures have only been reported on 2013's. I believe that the OP has a '12.

Good point! I should have checked.

[Rich4]

Originally Posted by Agent Orange

I know that strange sounds sometimes come out of the X3, but this was something I hadn't encountered before.

Any insights?

It depends on the type of noise you heard—mine (and I guess other X3’s) occurs when the hand brake switch is applied and can last for 5-10 seconds after the hand brake switch has been operated—either on or off—and this has happened from new. In my case it’s a “whishing/whirring” sound which I believe is due to the Electromechanical parking brake and EMF actuator located on the rear hubs which are driven by an electric motor and drive belt which seems to run for a short while after the brake has been applied. It seems to be a quite complex mechanism.

My hearing isn’t too keen so its never bothered me, and I only occasionally hear it after leaving the car and walking past the rear wheel (here in UK RHD), but my wife hears it quite clearly whilst still inside the car.

I was under the impression it came just from the right rear, but on checking just now, it’s also on the left.