Sub Woofer Noise

[dbuettner]

I recently purchased a new 2010 Ford Edge Limited. It has the Sync audio system with the 6cd in dash changer and Sirius satelite radio and a sub woofer in the right rear cargo area. My problem is the sub emits a continuous tone estimated between 400 and 600 hertz even with the volume turned all the way down. It is not affected by the vehicle running or not, but is almost masked out by normal road noise and engine sounds. It can be heard from the drivers seat when there is no audio and this is when it is most noticable. The only way I can make it change is to switch the source to AM radio. The tone goes away but there is still a scratching sound coming from sub speaker. Changing Balance and Fade have no effect.

 

The dealer compared to other vehicles similarly equipted and says they do the same thing. They also consulted with Ford tech support who states this is a normal charecteristic. They pretty much refused my request to isolate if the source of the noise is coming from the radio, the sub amp, or possibly the factory remote start system.

 

I'm pretty bummed that they have no fix or interest in fixing what I consider unacceptable for any audio system. Anyone out there have any similar experience or recomendation???

I'm considering consulting with a local audio shop about replacement with an aftermarket amp but without knowing if that is the source that cound be a futile effort as well.

[Theakerr]

Are you sure the noise is coming from the speaker? I had a "noise" coming from the same area whenever the radio had been on and then switched off or when the sound was very low and regardless of whether the car was running or not. I thought one of my speakers was going bad on my 2010 Ltd and brought it up as a potential warranty issue. Cannot remember all the details, but Tech advised that ford have put a cooler fan on a circuit board that is associated with the rear speakers.

[JohnLad]

[quote name='dbuettner' date='22 June 2010 - 08:52 AM' timestamp='1277218365' post='39457

 

Hello dbuettner Your explanation exactly mimics my own from the annoying sub woofer noise to how it was handled by the dealership service department. Basically dismissed as normal. I think that is unacceptable and want the problem resolved. It is most likely not the speaker but the powered sub amp that is causing the problem and if Ford accepted it as a problem it would be easily resolved. Im not sure where to go from here but I am not going to accept the explanation that it is normal. an audio system ( especially an upgraded one like the "Premium II") should not be making irritating noise at low volume.

 

 

dbuettner's explanation

I recently purchased a new 2010 Ford Edge Limited. It has the Sync audio system with the 6cd in dash changer and Sirius satelite radio and a sub woofer in the right rear cargo area. My problem is the sub emits a continuous tone estimated between 400 and 600 hertz even with the volume turned all the way down. It is not affected by the vehicle running or not, but is almost masked out by normal road noise and engine sounds. It can be heard from the drivers seat when there is no audio and this is when it is most noticable. The only way I can make it change is to switch the source to AM radio. The tone goes away but there is still a scratching sound coming from sub speaker. Changing Balance and Fade have no effect.

 

The dealer compared to other vehicles similarly equipted and says they do the same thing. They also consulted with Ford tech support who states this is a normal charecteristic. They pretty much refused my request to isolate if the source of the noise is coming from the radio, the sub amp, or possibly the factory remote start system.

Edited September 4, 2010 by JohnLad

[rwbronco]

I wonder if you couldn't just splice in a resistor that would cancel out that noise. I also wonder if there's not one there in the first place and yours has gone bad... will look around and see what I can find.