(echoing from the other thread) I have the same symptoms in an AWD Wind. Not much else to contribute yet, except for the knowledge that you're not alone.
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AWD front motor whirring noise - now with Audio/Video - how many experience this?
OK, first. Loving the EV6 AWD.
We're learning a lot and so far, we've been able to either resolve or control the nuisances.
For example, rattle on the dashboard turned out to be the overhead shades which we "fixed" by stuffing in a piece of folded paper (quick easy fix).
Now for the query:
Has anyone else noticed a whirring sound when running the car in Eco or Normal with Regen not on Max?
I'm pretty sure this is related to the 2nd motor (Please chime in 2wd EV6ers if you also experience this!)
EV6-WhirringNoise-Video
Here's something we've learned:
When Regen is not on Max and the car is in Eco or Normal mode then there is a mild whirring (grinding) sound that oscillates with acceleration and deceleration.
It is most noticeable in the 28 - 40 mph range.
It is an annoying murmur/humming/whirring sound.
However, put the car into Full Regen, Winter, or Sport mode and the noise disappears instantly, regardless of Regen settings.
So, the good news is, we know how to "turn off" the noise, just not sure if the noise is deliberate or not.
Because we know how to control it this is now not even annoying, but until we figured out the cause it was a nuisance.
Note: "Engine theme" sound effects were off the whole time during our analysis/diagnosis
Thanks for responses in advance!
We're learning a lot and so far, we've been able to either resolve or control the nuisances.
For example, rattle on the dashboard turned out to be the overhead shades which we "fixed" by stuffing in a piece of folded paper (quick easy fix).
Now for the query:
Has anyone else noticed a whirring sound when running the car in Eco or Normal with Regen not on Max?
I'm pretty sure this is related to the 2nd motor (Please chime in 2wd EV6ers if you also experience this!)
EV6-WhirringNoise-Video
Here's something we've learned:
When Regen is not on Max and the car is in Eco or Normal mode then there is a mild whirring (grinding) sound that oscillates with acceleration and deceleration.
It is most noticeable in the 28 - 40 mph range.
It is an annoying murmur/humming/whirring sound.
However, put the car into Full Regen, Winter, or Sport mode and the noise disappears instantly, regardless of Regen settings.
So, the good news is, we know how to "turn off" the noise, just not sure if the noise is deliberate or not.
Because we know how to control it this is now not even annoying, but until we figured out the cause it was a nuisance.
Note: "Engine theme" sound effects were off the whole time during our analysis/diagnosis
Thanks for responses in advance!
1 - 20 of 628 Posts
And that is mostly what I'm looking for. Like I said, we can at least control it and we generally understand what may be going on...(echoing from the other thread) I have the same symptoms in an AWD Wind. Not much else to contribute yet, except for the knowledge that you're not alone.
Just want to know that we're not "alone"
Thanks!
If it instantly shuts off in sport mode or snow mode, it makes be believe that it’s a noise related to one motor. In eco it runs just one. And I think in normal also unless you really step on it. But in the other modes, both motors are engaged.
Definitely seems to be when the front motor is "idle" and not generating.If it instantly shuts off in sport mode or snow mode, it makes be believe that it’s a noise related to one motor. In eco it runs just one. And I think in normal also unless you really step on it. But in the other modes, both motors are engaged.
Just curious to see how many other people notice the "noise"
I have the exact same noise, and it's pretty annoying. AWD, as well. I wonder if it may have something to do with the coupling between the front motor and axles.
Definitely sounds like it's happening when the front motor is idle, I've seen others post that i-pedal keeps the front motor engaged. I would guess that what you're hearing is the front differential. If you look at diagrams of the front motor/clutch, the clutch is on one half-sfaft. So if the clutch is disengaged, the front motor stopped, but the car moving, the "free" side will spin in the opposite direction of the side that is still coupled. That would cause the pinion gears within the differential to spin at an unusually high speed (they would normally not spin at all if both wheels were spinning at the same speed, same direction).
This is only partially true. There is a power display for the center instrument cluster which shows you which motors are engaged and a rough idea of the power split between them. I don't use it very often, since I find it to be the least useful of the display modes for most driving. But I have learned the following:In eco it runs just one [motor in RWD mode].
The car is only more likely to operate in RWD mode in Eco than it is in Normal. In both Eco and Normal, the car will engage the front motor at low speeds, and disengage it at higher speeds. It also operates in AWD mode when regen is set to iPedal mode, regardless of the drive mode. But the control law is definitely not as simple as "Eco mode implies RWD mode".
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See also Drivetrain on EV's questions regarding the clutch
Counter-point: The sound disappears somewhere around 45 MPH or so, but the power display shows the front motor is still idle.That would cause the pinion gears within the differential to spin at an unusually high speed (they would normally not spin at all if both wheels were spinning at the same speed, same direction).
Perhaps the range that it's audible is a around a resonant frequency for the assembly.Counter-point: The sound disappears somewhere around 45 MPH or so, but the power display shows the front motor is still idle.
Yeah, that's a good idea. Resonant structures will quickly change to a damped behavior when increasing the disturbance frequency above the structure's resonance point.Perhaps the range that it's audible is a around a resonant frequency for the assembly.
Correct, it seems that when the front motor is FULLY engaged the sound disappears, when the front motor is NOT fully engaged (ie: regen is less than MAX) the whirring commences.If it instantly shuts off in sport mode or snow mode, it makes be believe that it’s a noise related to one motor. In eco it runs just one. And I think in normal also unless you really step on it. But in the other modes, both motors are engaged.
Is this happening for everyone?
By the way, in case anyone is really curious, there is a cutaway of an actual front motor in this video. If you freeze it at 5:10, you can briefly see the differential, and one of the side gears within (circled in red in my screen cap below). Circled in blue is the pin of one of the pinion gears. These gears are small, and appear to be fairly coarsely pitched. I'd put money on this being the source of what you're hearing.
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Hmm... is it possible that a little more "fluid" or less? may be in play?By the way, in case anyone is really curious, there is a cutaway of an actual front motor in this video. If you freeze it at 5:10, you can briefly see the differential, and one of the side gears within (circled in red in my screen cap below). Circled in blue is the pin of one of the pinion gears. These gears are small, and appear to be fairly coarsely pitched. I'd put money on this being the source of what you're hearing.
View attachment 3180
We'll see...
Does it stop when you switch to full Regen or go into Winter or Sport mode?I have the exact same noise, and it's pretty annoying. AWD, as well. I wonder if it may have something to do with the coupling between the front motor and axles.
🤷♂️Hmm... is it possible that a little more "fluid" or less? may be in play?
We'll see...
Gears make noise. Especially straight cut gears. It could simply be that the price to pay for the relevant silence of an EV makes other noises more noticeable. Especially in a case like those where part of the drivetrain is occasionally being engaged/disengaged.
Hmmm. Might be an opportunity for some active noice cancellation like they are putting on the new Range Rovers. Somehow I doubt the problem is bad enough to warrant it though. If it's just the case of hearing more things in a quiet car I would imagine I would get used to it fairly quickly. Heck I've lived with the noise of an ICE engine and snow tires. An intermittent "whirring noise" doesn't sound terrible so long as it's "normal" "as designed" and not an indication of some problem.🤷♂️
Gears make noise. Especially straight cut gears. It could simply be that the price to pay for the relevant silence of an EV makes other noises more noticeable. Especially in a case like those where part of the drivetrain is occasionally being engaged/disengaged.
Agreed.Hmmm. Might be an opportunity for some active noice cancellation like they are putting on the new Range Rovers. Somehow I doubt the problem is bad enough to warrant it though. If it's just the case of hearing more things in a quiet car I would imagine I would get used to it fairly quickly. Heck I've lived with the noise of an ICE engine and snow tires. An intermittent "whirring noise" doesn't sound terrible so long as it's "normal" "as designed" and not an indication of some problem.
We will adjust if need be.
I just want to know if this is common for AWD owners or not...
I’m glad I am not alone! AWD 1st Edition. I’m having the exact same problem. Its actually quite annoying. I try to ignore it, but I can’t. I thought something was wrong and was going to call the dealership, but it seems like it’s normal.
We will be taking it to the dealership to register the issue.I’m glad I am not alone! AWD 1st Edition. I’m having the exact same problem. Its actually quite annoying. I try to ignore it, but I can’t. I thought something was wrong and was going to call the dealership, but it seems like it’s normal.
I want it to be on the record ...
When you put it in Sport of full regen does the noise stop?
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