I'm fed up and I don't know what to do

"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
06/08/2016 at 09:23 • Filed to: None

I love my Mustang. I really do. It’s fun to drive, it looks fantastic, it has a nice interior, and it feels reasonably special. But mine seems to have a problem and I can’t get it fixed.

For the majority of my ownership I’ve noticed that if the car is running there’s a high pitched background noise coming from the speakers. I’ve tried to narrow it down and all I’ve found is that it’s there if the engine is on but gone if the engine is off. ACC mode? No high pitch sound. I can sit in the car on accessory mode, then turn on the engine, wait a second, and I hear it kick in.

Here’s the problem: I can’t get Ford to do shit about it. First time I asked the dealer they told me they couldn’t hear it. Second time at the same dealer they said they heard it, but that “all cars with satellite radio do it”.

After that I contacted Ford. They reached out to the dealer, and a few weeks later Ford called me back and said they’d determined it’s normal and that’s it.

I tried to live with it for another few months, but it still annoyed me. I asked on forums, on facebook, and had no response. I googled endlessly but it seems I’m the only person that notices this noise. I was due for an oil change, so I took it to a different dealer and asked them to look into it.

They said they couldn’t hear it. They asked multiple people to listen for this noise and no one heard it. There’s nothing they can do.

A day later I went back to the dealer and asked a salesman if I could sit in another ecoboost and listen for this sound. I did, and I thought I heard it but it was faint. I walked away thinking okay, this is normal, but god damnit it’s annoying.

It’s now been two weeks, and I don’t know what has changed but I feel like the past two days it’s either louder or I’m noticing it more. This morning I felt myself snapping. I can’t take it much longer. The sound is so god damn annoying and I have no way of fixing it. I emailed Ford again, but I doubt it will go anywhere.

What can I do? I feel hopeless and annoyed. I can’t get the manufacturer or their dealerships to acknowledge there’s a problem. I can’t personally figure out what the problem is so I can’t do anything myself. I’m out of ideas. At this point I feel like the only thing I can do is trade in my car, but I don’t want to do that. Not only do I really honestly like the car and want to keep it, but trading it in this soon means I will likely lose a lot of money and have greater debt on whatever I replace it with because I can’t really afford a big downpayment so soon.

I’m at my wits end. I’m pretty certain I can’t pursue lemon law litigation because the dealer won’t attempt a repair, and the policy clearly states that there must be attempts to repair the issue.

Has anyone ever had a similar experience?

DISCUSSION (49)

Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 09:29

Does the sound/pitch change with engine RPM? (Serious)

Is it possibly the horrified screams of the souls lost to Mustangs? (Kidding, only just)

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 09:30

If the problem is only there while the engine is on, the issue is from unshielded wiring under the hood that’s picking up interference from the alternator or other high-voltage electrics that are only hot when the car is on. The dealer has given you a strong hint that the wiring so exposed is part of the satellite radio hookup.

If Ford won’t do anything about it, I’d take it to a reputable car stereo installer, explain the problem and your theories. If possible, grab a wiring diagram and find likely underhood wires. They should be able to replace the wires with better shielded ones, or maybe just wrap them with insulation.

It’ll cost a little money, and may make warranty work on the infotainment a bit of a pain in the future, but it should solve the problem.

Milky > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 09:33

Turn the volume up.

I wired in my own head unit so I probably did a shit job. My car also makes a high pitched background noise when I plug the aux cord in. Luckily its only noticeable for that second between songs or when the volume is on like 2.

Blind Willie Tyresmoke Namington IV > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 09:33

I know it's not a great solution but you could momentarily "unwire" (is that a word?) the speakers and see if that helps. Maybe it's just one defective speaker. Maybe, I don't know

Needmoargarage > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 09:34

Weird...I’ve been in a number of them and haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary. Have you been sensitive to higher frequency noises in the past? Wonder if it is a grounding issue, or related to the active noise control. I would say that the best course of action is to keep pestering Ford (actual, not the stealerships) through their customer service hotline. I think you can even call up a representative and that information gets put through to engineering.

Needmoargarage > Aaron M - MasoFiST
06/08/2016 at 09:35

This sounds like a reasonable explanation...

Nibby > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 09:36

Is your Mustang pretending to be a BMW and emit fake engine sounds via the speakers?

functionoverfashion > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 09:37

As the other comments mentioned, it’s something that can be solved with the help of a competent stereo installer.

I had this noise in my boat, much like yours where it was faint but unmistakable to me. Some would claim not to hear it but I don’t see how.

Has your searching run you into any articles on Ground Loops? This is what it sounds like to me, and this is what eventually solved the problem in my boat. I ran a dedicated ground from the stereo right to the battery, and I put in a device called a Ground Loop Isolator from the aux input that I used most of the time.

The question someone asked about whether it changes with engine RPM is directly relevant to my comments above.

Your boy, BJR > Nibby
06/08/2016 at 09:38

It does that too (not a joke)

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 09:39

Sounds like it could be related to the motor sound emulation, maybe Ford can try to switch it off and see if the sound vanishes?

Or interference stuff like the rest suggested, though those are probably a harder fix.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 09:39

Yeah what Aaron M said.

Your boy, BJR > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 09:41

The sound doesn't exist. It's your conscience telling you how much of a TRAITOR you are.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Milky
06/08/2016 at 09:42

I used a (probably badly shielded) aftermarket module to keep the factory head unit but add aux, and I get a sort of a pulsing static-y sound whenever I use aux. It gets worse when I unplug the aux cord before turning everything off, when it’s plugged in it’s audible but not terrible.

I find it’s worst on media that’s been recorded too quiet. If I can turn up the volume on whatever device I’m using and turn down the head volume it’s OK, but if I have to turn up the head volume it’s really annoying.

'Wägen, EPA LOL > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 09:49

Try adding a ground loop isolator .

Edit: I always add the big three to my car, as well. You may find this helpful.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

A good, cost-effective improvement is to perform the “Big Three” electrical upgrade. This will vastly improve your vehicle’s electrical system, allowing more current to flow easier to all components. This upgrade replaces or augments three key cables in the electrical system with 1/0 or 4 gauge wires : the battery ground to chassis wire, the chassis to engine block wire, and the alternator plus to battery plus wire. This increases your electrical system’s current flow capability, ensuring a more consistent voltage under varying demand conditions.

An unfortunate possible side effect of doing the Big Three is that occasionally it only makes your lights dim even worse. This happens because the amplifier is now able to suck juice better from the system through the bigger straw (the new cables).

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 09:49

Former professional Car audio installer here: it’s a grounding issue. 99.9% guaranteed it CAN be fixed, FINDING IT, is going to be the bitch, and is why they dealership doesn’t want to help. Aaron-M and functionoverfasion are on the right track and their suggestions are good places to start.

Jayhawk Jake > Milky
06/08/2016 at 09:52

Yes, but I often listen to classical and I can hear it come through. Plus sometimes I just want to turn off the radio.

This is the type of problem that on a used car I’d probably just shrug off and say “oh well, this sucks”. But a brand new, $35k car with a premium stereo? It’s bullshit.

Tekamul > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
06/08/2016 at 09:53

If others (on forums, etc) don’t share his experience, it’s probably a less than solid connection at some point, not in design, just execution.

That suuuuuuuuuuuucks

Jayhawk Jake > functionoverfashion
06/08/2016 at 09:54

That’s my thought as well. It is not dependent on RPM.

I haven’t found any info on my problem specifically. I happen to be an engineer so I have a little (very little) familiarity with electronics. I’m almost certain it’s a bad ground or interference of some kind. Problem is I don’t have enough expertise to diagnose it or try to fix it myself.

Tekamul > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 09:54

Was the satellite radio, or any other dash content dealer installed?

As others have pointed out, it’s a grounding issue. If others online don’t share your experience, it’s probably just in your car, and if a dealer touched any of the ground connections, that would be the first place to look.

Jayhawk Jake > Needmoargarage
06/08/2016 at 09:55

I do have a bit more sensitivity I’m sure. I think you’re right that it’s a grounding issue or active noise control issue.

Have you noticed the background noise that comes through on battery power regardless? Mine has a general quiet hissing, which is not uncommon with ANY type of speaker, though it does seem maybe a little louder in the Mustang.

Jayhawk Jake > Aaron M - MasoFiST
06/08/2016 at 09:56

I agree with your diagnosis, I’m pretty sure that’s what it is. I hadn’t thought to take it to a stereo installer, that could be worth a try if I can’t get Ford to do anything.

Jayhawk Jake > Nibby
06/08/2016 at 09:57

Uh, yeah, it definitely has that feature.

Jayhawk Jake > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
06/08/2016 at 09:58

My thought as well. Gonna be tough to get it fixed though.

Jayhawk Jake > Tekamul
06/08/2016 at 09:58

It’s all as it came from the factory.

TractorPillow > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 10:00

Pay a friend to set it on fire and collect the insurance money.

shop-teacher > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 10:00

Talk to an actual lemon law lawyer. If you can document your attempts to get it repaired, those can count. Otherwise all manufacturers would have to do to get out of lemon law claims would be never attempt to repair anything. Lehto once suggested taking a selfy of you and your car in the service writers area in times where they refuse to write anything up.

EL_ULY > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 10:02

sometimes the rear glass antenna picks up RFI. Some have built in filters on the glass to help with high pitch interference. This is all a complete guess of course.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 10:11

per TekamulBurner’s response (loose connection), my first suggestion is literally to unplug and re-plug everything in the radio/sync system and see if that makes a difference.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Aaron M - MasoFiST
06/08/2016 at 10:11

Shielded wiring is something all stereo installers do on a regular basis, whereas Ford isn’t going to be able to repair something that isn’t broken and won’t modify the stock wiring unless there’s a TSB instructing them to do so.

BigBlock440 > Your boy, BJR
06/08/2016 at 10:14

I thought the Mustang used a “sound tube” that came from the engine bay. Maybe that’s only the V8 though.

Jayhawk Jake > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
06/08/2016 at 10:14

Yeah, I was just googling ground loops and starting to browse the audio section of the Mustang6g forum. Tonight I’ll go and unplug the radio harness and plug it back in.

Tekamul > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 10:16

Damn. A debug nightmare. Basically inspect and improve every ground connection for the heads unit, and try to follow the ground connections back to the battery, to make sure the aren’t running near altenator connections.

It sucks, and a dealer isn’t going to do jack squat, as it’s not an issue with the primary functions of the car.

E90M3 > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 10:35

There was an audible wine from the speakers in my 1997 explorer if you drove it without the radio on, I assumed it was so sort of grounding issue or a powered wire was causing some interference or something. I rarely drive without music on so it never really bothered me; it was inaudible with music on. Have you tried pulling the fuse for the radio and seeing if the sound goes away?

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 10:36

Sorry to hear that man. I don’t have much advice, but I think other commenters have given you a starting point at least.

The first squeak is always the worst in a new car. It just too bad it’s an electrical issue (I wouldn’t know where to begin either.) I’d probably just unplug the speakers, haha! The engine note is my music!

Anyway, good luck to you! Keep us posted!

Needmoargarage > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 11:07

With Fords specifically, no. However, I think nearly every car I’v ever been in has some small amount of interference through speakers...pretty hard to tell unless you listen really close. It’s never really bothered me unless something is wrong ie: poorly wired install, grounding problem, charging system interference, etc. At that point it drives me nuts so I totally understand your frustration.

Meatcoma > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 11:31

My Camaro has a ticking noise in the engine, it’s more of a ‘tink tink tink’ that you can hear at idle. Chevy said the same thing. It’s normal.

Sadly I don’t recall it having that before the timing chain was replaced due to subpar materials.

RedlineZ bought an SV (And is getting rid of the z) > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 12:07

Kinja'd!!!

Good luck with the electrical issue. Try not to hit any pedestrians out of frustration... Or motorcycles... Or guardrails... Or curbs.

Jayhawk Jake > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
06/08/2016 at 12:32

The engine note sounds like ass without the speakers though.

Jayhawk Jake > E90M3
06/08/2016 at 12:33

I did, and it did go away. I pulled the fuse for the Amp, which killed all the sound (including the high pitch noise). I guess I could look and see if there’s a separate fuse that keeps the amp powered but the speakers off.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 13:11

I suggest taking it to car stereo install specialist and see what they have to say.

Dr_Strangelove > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 14:23

Have you demonstrated this to any Ford employees? I’m recapping your story right now and you mentioned at least one dealer employee admitted they also heard it - before the classic “they all do that” response. Perhaps if you demonstrated the fuse pulling to that same employee, as well as providing evidence of the grounding issue, they could make a case for you in the service department?

I’m hoping for your sake that performing your own diagnosis may spare you some of the legwork in fixing it if you could deliver the diagnosis back to the dealership.

Wish I had some technical wisdom to spread to you, bud. Best of luck!

Jayhawk Jake > Dr_Strangelove
06/08/2016 at 14:31

Kind of? I demonstrated to them that it only occurs when the engine is on. I didn’t pull the fuse to demonstrate it.

E90M3 > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 14:38

Well it sounds like you’ve isolated the problem to sound system, I guess it’s just trouble shooting from there. Although this might be a pain in the ass, disconnecting the speakers one at a time, or unplugging the radio and leaving the amp on.

Rykilla303 > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 16:24

Install/replace RFI Filter? http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a8…

brianbrannon > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 16:36

Have them sit in the car with you while you demonstrate it. A mechanic may not be able to actually hear it since we all have damaged hearing from power tools.

Rico > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 16:54

Some people like you and I are more sensitive to high frequency sounds. I can hear the high pitched whine when a TV turns on, I often also hear sounds that others can’t as well. For example, a show I was watching on ESPN was filming on location and something was definitely off with their sound equipment because there was just this constant high pitched whine that nobody who was watching the show next to me could hear.

I damn near started to get a headache before I got up and left the room, when I came back I asked to try something and I muted the TV and immediately my ears were relieved. Many people (mostly older people, sorry older folks) can’t hear worth a damn. My eyes are also quite sensitive to things most others can’t see, like the rapid flickering of fluorescent lights or TVs that use backlight scanning for “improved image response”, others don’t see anything at all.

Back to the point, does the Mustang have any kind of engine sound symposer? Maybe that is the culprit? Bad shielding around some wires are also something to consider.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Jayhawk Jake
06/08/2016 at 18:03

That bad, huh? Ford didn’t make it seem like it made that much of a differnce. It’s no surpirse they would underplay it, though.

Jayhawk Jake > Rico
06/08/2016 at 18:33

It has a sound symposer but I can't disable it. AFAIK the only way to disable it is to unplug the speakers. That makes the sound go away, obviously. That leaves me to assume it's either bad shielding or a bad ground, but I don't visually see anything that looks bad. It's just a bad design I guess, and I don't know where the problem is and therefore can't fix it

mazda616 > Jayhawk Jake
06/22/2016 at 10:18

Hey. Sorry for the delayed response. I just saw this! I sent this link to my friend that is a service advisor at a Ford dealer and drives an Ecoboost Mustang as well. I’ll have him listen and see if his car does it.