HELP! pic included - have no idea what this sensor on steering wheel is? (2008 328xi

ODBjr · 12-22-2014, 10:42 AM

Hi all - this is my first e90. 2008 328i x-drive coupe with about 20k miles on it. Bought it from certified dealership about 8+ months ago.

There's this sensor (or something like that) on the steering wheel. its fit on the steering wheel as seen in picture but you can also pick it up and move it but as you can see the wire that it's attached to and is attached to somewhere under the steering wheel. The red light you see goes on when you turn the car on and then again when you start driving it's a non-stop sound but in different tunes. The sound and red-light both seem sync with that sensor.

This has only started to come on and I thought it was tire pressure low since sign came up for tire pressure but I filled it and re-set the tire pressure, and to my surprise this sensor was still making it's sound (with the red light).

Anyone know what that might be?

I've asked couple of my buddies who have Bimmers and they have no idea hah! If it helps I can make a video of it and post it here when I get home later tonight.

EDIT: There are actually 2 sensors.

Here the link to the uploaded video of how it sounds like when starting the car: http://tinypic.com/r/35nbzgw/8

Ph0zenstone · 12-22-2014, 11:05 AM

That's looks aftermarket....you should just follow the wire and see what it's attached to. Maybe a Bluetooth mic?

Dark_Knight_335 · 12-22-2014, 11:05 AM

Definitely aftermarket...tried tracing the wire? Wow scary lol ^^

ODBjr · 12-22-2014, 12:55 PM

Hah! Thanks for response both. Couldn't actually trace the wire as it goes into the steering wheel. There are actually 2 of these sensors (added picture in the main post)

Here's a link to the video I uploaded when starting the car: http://tinypic.com/r/35nbzgw/8

phamlay · 12-22-2014, 12:58 PM

tracking device.. CIA is after you =X

Hirschman · 12-22-2014, 01:31 PM

Sounds like a radar detector on startup.

PTinVT · 12-22-2014, 02:36 PM

History eraser button?

smithf80 · 12-22-2014, 02:38 PM

Sounds like a radar detector to me... that would be pretty nice if its a good one. Little bonus for your purchase.

Ph0zenstone · 12-22-2014, 02:50 PM

you can easily remove the steering wheel covers and check out what they're actually connected to

ThatRWD · 12-22-2014, 02:53 PM

Grenada

12-22-2014, 10:42 AM	#1
ODBjr Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2008 328xi Coupe Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Tri-State/ NJ-NYC iTrader: (0)	HELP! pic included - have no idea what this sensor on steering wheel is? (2008 328xi Hi all - this is my first e90. 2008 328i x-drive coupe with about 20k miles on it. Bought it from certified dealership about 8+ months ago. There's this sensor (or something like that) on the steering wheel. its fit on the steering wheel as seen in picture but you can also pick it up and move it but as you can see the wire that it's attached to and is attached to somewhere under the steering wheel. The red light you see goes on when you turn the car on and then again when you start driving it's a non-stop sound but in different tunes. The sound and red-light both seem sync with that sensor. This has only started to come on and I thought it was tire pressure low since sign came up for tire pressure but I filled it and re-set the tire pressure, and to my surprise this sensor was still making it's sound (with the red light). Anyone know what that might be? I've asked couple of my buddies who have Bimmers and they have no idea hah! If it helps I can make a video of it and post it here when I get home later tonight. EDIT: There are actually 2 sensors. Here the link to the uploaded video of how it sounds like when starting the car: http://tinypic.com/r/35nbzgw/8 Attached Images Last edited by ODBjr; 12-22-2014 at 12:52 PM..
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12-22-2014, 11:05 AM	#2
Ph0zenstone Major General 328 Rep 5,370 Posts Drives: 2018 530e X-Drive Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (74)	That's looks aftermarket....you should just follow the wire and see what it's attached to. Maybe a Bluetooth mic?
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12-22-2014, 11:05 AM	#3
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside 1115 Rep 12,740 Posts Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ iTrader: (28)	Definitely aftermarket...tried tracing the wire? Wow scary lol ^^
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12-22-2014, 12:55 PM	#4
ODBjr Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2008 328xi Coupe Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Tri-State/ NJ-NYC iTrader: (0)	Hah! Thanks for response both. Couldn't actually trace the wire as it goes into the steering wheel. There are actually 2 of these sensors (added picture in the main post) Here's a link to the video I uploaded when starting the car: http://tinypic.com/r/35nbzgw/8
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12-22-2014, 12:58 PM	#5
phamlay Private First Class 18 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: CALI iTrader: (0)	tracking device.. CIA is after you =X __________________ 2009 e90 mtec\| alpine white\|black interior\| DC intake\| gloss black kidney grills\| LED Interior\| LED Exterior\| gloss black vinyl roof\| BBS RS-GT wheels\| 235/35/19 front\| 265/30/19 rear\| KW V1 coilovers\|CF trunk spoiler\| CF diffuser\| HKS catback exhaust\| Fully coded\|
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12-22-2014, 01:31 PM	#6
Hirschman Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 206 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Rochester, NY iTrader: (0)	Sounds like a radar detector on startup.
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12-22-2014, 02:36 PM	#7
PTinVT armchair enthusiast 223 Rep 1,019 Posts Drives: 18 340xi, 02 325Cic, 93 850Ci Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Burlington, VT iTrader: (3)	History eraser button? __________________ '18 340i xDrive EB/Dakota, 6-speed manual, M-sport '02 325Cic vert AW/Montana leather, 5-speed manual, premium/removable hardtop '93 850Ci Oxford Green/Parchment, auto '71 Buick Riviera, 455 V8 land yacht
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12-22-2014, 02:38 PM	#8
smithf80 Major General 2813 Rep 5,316 Posts Drives: G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G20 330i [9.00] 2018 F80 M3 [9.75]	Sounds like a radar detector to me... that would be pretty nice if its a good one. Little bonus for your purchase. __________________ Scott, Partner Insight Automotive Consulting Click HERE for all discounted BMW New Car Pricing Click HERE for all BMW In Stock Inventory Specials Call/Text: 516-416-5481 Email: scott@insightautoconsulting.com
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12-22-2014, 02:50 PM	#9
Ph0zenstone Major General 328 Rep 5,370 Posts Drives: 2018 530e X-Drive Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (74)	you can easily remove the steering wheel covers and check out what they're actually connected to
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12-22-2014, 02:53 PM	#10
ThatRWD Major 109 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	Grenada
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