DSC stability control relay noise
 

I've got an 07 M3 GT with 2k miles on it now, just recently I found what's been making a loud click when I start off in the morning. There's a relay for the DSC that makes a click if you just turn the ignition on - listen when the DSC warning light switches off. After starting the car a very similar though it seems to be louder click is heard when I exceed 10MPH.
Does anyone else have this issue? and have you tracked down where it is?
The dealer hadn't heard of this, but said the DSC will re-enable itself once you exceed 9MPH... but I hadn't turned it off in the first place.

I'm going to be looking this weekend when I have an extra set of hands around to turn the key.

There's a relay on the ABS assembly behind the battery, and a relay on it somewhere that clicks loud enough to send a "ping" through the brake lines. I find it quite annoying, though at least it only happens once per ignition cycle. Does anyone else have this issue?

djs2571,

I too have this issue and it is extremely annoying, especially since I've had it at the dealer 3+ times and they've still not been able to diagnose it. The last time, they told me there was an exhaust hanger that looked to be a "little close" to some other part so they adjusted it and told me the noise was gone. I pulled out of the parking spot and the ping was immediate. And now I got an email from them saying that I'll be receiving a survey from Mazda US about my recent visit and could I please score them all 10's. I'll score them all 10's when they fix it. Are you certain it is the ABS relay? Seems to me that if that's the case, there should be a TSB fix for it because it certainly doesn't appear to be operating to spec. Let me know if you have any updates on this. Thanks for the heads up, I'll be sure to mention the ABS relay to the shop when I bring it in next week.

BTW, I drive an '07 M3 hatchback, sport touring model

I'm not sure what relay it is, but it's on the ABS unit between the battery and the firewall. If you turn the ignition on you can hear it click as well, but not as loud, but it's an identical tone. I put my hand on the ABS and felt it ping with ign on. It occurrs at 13MPH, it's definitely something the software of the ABS / DSC is doing but why, and can it go away is what I want to know.
Glad to hear i'm not the only one, please report back if the dealer has any info. It's easy enough to repeat, so you can show them what it is... or try a few cars they may be moving around and see if they all do it if you're at the dealer.

Hello... I have an '08 M3 GT 5 door. My car makes the same noise. This is a characteristic of the vehicle. The ABS / Stability control system performs a systems check and calibrates itself. The "PING" you hear is a normal trait of the vehicle. My '03 Mazda Protege made a "BUZZ & PING" noise also due to the ABS performing a systems check.

Thanks for the info that the protoge did the same thing, guess it's proof that the 3 really is a protoge decendant :)
I went back to the dealer and tested another car, had the same noise and they said it's likely a self check. Glad to know it's ok, though it's somewhat annoying feature of the car.

me too
 

for what it is worth I occassional hear the same thing. mazda 3s touring 2007.

we have oak trees around our house and it sounds somewhat similiar to running over an achorn. :dunno:

Thanks all for the responses, guess it's something to just live with.

New owner of 07 M3 GT hearing (and feeling) a noise!
 

Hey everyone, I know this thread has been pretty quiet for about two years now, but I was wondering if anyone had ever come across a fix for this issue.

I just bought my 2007 M3 GT, and have been driving it for a month now. I just started hearing this loud (insert your favorite bad mechanical sound here...) accompanied by a noticeable shake in the accelerator pedal. It happens every time the car is started, and shifts from 1st to 2nd gear. It sounds like everything the other poster's have described.

Has anyone found a solution to this problem. It doesn't seem healthy for the car to have something slamming around each time the car starts a journey...

Thanks in advance!

I don't think there's a fix for it, but make sure it's the same 'feature' on the car. You say when shifting from 1st to 2nd - if it's always during the shift it could be another issue. Mine is at 13mph, if that's the same as yours it is the same sound.
I doubt it's healthy though it could serve a good purpose for the ABS system, like being able to determine if there's a leak or air pocket... maybe it is to rattle air loose from the ABS pump system. I really don't know but i'm sure they wouldn't make a noise like that if it wasn't useful somewhere in the system.
A previous post also said it's on the protoge models as well, so I doubt they will get rid of it anytime soon. I've grown to ignore it, though you can make sure the brake lines under hood are all secured properly and not touching the chassis - which could be making the noise on your ride louder.

Good luck.

Taking it to the source
 

Hey Guys,

Just thought I would add to my chapter to this ongoing saga. I'm taking my M3 to the dealership this weekend to see if they can tell me anything different about this issue. If something useful comes out of the experience, I'll be sure to let you all know.

Thanks for the input so far!

Hey Everyone, The saga of the stealership ended a few weeks ago in stalemate. Hazards of buying a car away from HQ I suppose.

I wasn't done though. I took my M3 to my trusted independent mechanic who looked it over. His diagnosis was that the noise/feeling was the traction control motor kicking the system into ready mode. He said nothing was loose or out of place, and it seemed like normal operation for the car.

I am happy to know that my car is in perfect health, with no issues to speak of.