After my earlier plea for help, I went over to see @varooom who had access to an earlier version on VCDS and also ODIS.

 

Sadly the VCDS couldn’t find Hex A9, so we plugged in the ODIS into the OBD port and computer and went from there.
 

Car ignition was on, and bonnet open during this process.

 

It was a bit like a needle in a haystack, with very little information on YouTube or the web.

 

After searching through probably 1,000 different modules/entries on the screen, eventually we found under 0001 Engine Electronics a submenu with 00A9, the dreaded Sound Actuator. This should be photo#1

 

clicking on that took is to the second picture, which showed the volume of the actuator as 100. We (he) then changed that value to “0” (zero), clicked “apply”.

 

Then as per the third picture,  you can see it has stored the current value as 0. 
 

Shut the ODIS down and remove plug from OBD port
 

Turned ignition off, shut the bonnet, shut and locked the car for a minute. 
 

unlocked the car and started up.
 

And silence (from the actutor) ensues.

 

As all you have done is turn down the volume, no other faults are thrown. (Disconnecting the unit physically reportedly throws other faults up, and removing the fuse also stops other stuff working)

 

Anyhow, that’s how it was done, and hopefully this information will save other people a lot of time trying to find where 00A9 is buried on ODIS

 

Oh, just to add, running the diagnostics does chew through the car battery, so make sure you have a jump start pack or can plug the car in to something g like a Ctek charger/conditioner while running the diagnostics. And make sure you have turned the heated seat off too as that really seems to eat the battery 🤦🏼

And big thanks to my new hero, @varooom

Edited 12 February, 20233 yr by FatWolfie
Spelling

Nice write up, I just wish someone had mentioned it was under engine address, as it took longer to find than execute the change.

 

But it should help others locate it, if they are struggling 🤝

I too didn't like the sound actuator at 100%.  Had mine turned down to 30% which seemed to be a good compromise.

 

Gaz

 

Out of curiosity, what cars does this apply to? All MQB models? And can this be done in VCDS/Obdeleven with the information given or does it require ODIS no exceptions? 

1 hour ago, hhcd80 said:

Out of curiosity, what cars does this apply to? All MQB models? And can this be done in VCDS/Obdeleven with the information given or does it require ODIS no exceptions? 

AFAIK any car with the naff fake sound actuator, and VCDS/OBDeleven that can address module A9 will be OK.

 

I have only older VCDS that failed to find A9 (as you need newer interface)

On 19/02/2023 at 21:13, varooom said:

AFAIK any car with the naff fake sound actuator, and VCDS/OBDeleven that can address module A9 will be OK.

 

I have only older VCDS that failed to find A9 (as you need newer interface)

Thanks for that. Considering adjusting the volume of the sound actuator as it gets a bit too loud when I'm putting my foot down to overtake.

OK my version of OBDEleven did find module A9. Put the volume down to about 50% and we'll see how it goes.

On 19/02/2023 at 21:13, varooom said:

AFAIK any car with the naff fake sound actuator, and VCDS/OBDeleven that can address module A9 will be OK.

 

I have only older VCDS that failed to find A9 (as you need newer interface)

Would the sound actuator show up in VIN decode details?

If so, any idea what the code is?

18 minutes ago, EnterName said:

Would the sound actuator show up in VIN decode details?

If so, any idea what the code is?

 

It certainly would.

 

On my 2018 vRS it's PR-GM3 - Electronic engine sound (type 2).

58 minutes ago, EnterName said:

Would the sound actuator show up in VIN decode details?

If so, any idea what the code is?

This might be the code also, if it's not the one @langers2k mentioned 👑

PRCode: 9J1 = Supertone system and tone sequence control

 

2 hours ago, langers2k said:

 

It certainly would.

 

On my 2018 vRS it's PR-GM3 - Electronic engine sound (type 2).

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

I have code "GM1" and the description I have is "Electronic engine sound measures: Standard electronic engine sound".

That suggests my car produces fake engine noise, though a "standard" fake noise, not a sports sound.

I'd be slightly confused, but not entirely surprised if my car has a fake noise generator, as it does make a slightly odd rorty sound on the rare occasions I give it some welly, which sounds slightly unusual.

I assumed it was just how the car sounds when you boot it, not an electronic noise. It's not intrusive, in fact it's oddly pleasing. But I could live without it.

I've never heard the sound outside the car, so I've no idea how it sounds to the rest of the world, assuming they can hear it.

A little research and it turns out there's a few of these codes: https://vag-codes.info/

 

Edited 2 March, 20233 yr by EnterName

Here the the 9Jx series then for completion sake, I did suspect there would be a range for them.

 

9J0 STA Without supertone system and tone sequence control
9J1 STA Supertone system and tone sequence control
9J2 STA Super-tone system and tone sequence control preparation
9J3 STA Supertone system and tone sequence control without city horn circuit
9J4 STA Tone sequence control preparation for Police
9J5 STA Supertone system and tone sequence control

Well, as for my experimentation, I now found it was too quiet! 🤣
Set the volume to around 75% which seems to be more of a happy medium so far.

8 hours ago, hhcd80 said:

Well, as for my experimentation, I now found it was too quiet! 🤣
Set the volume to around 75% which seems to be more of a happy medium so far.

I've been looking for a recording of the fake engine sound in isolation, so I can hear what it's like without the car running.

What does it actually sound like?

It doesn't translate well without the engine sounds in the background.

 

There are some extracted samples from various firmware here: https://github.com/jilleb/mqb-soundaktor/blob/main/Sound_samples.md

I have a 2018 Karoq 1.6 Diesel that has a louder and different engine noise from the drivers seat than standing outside listening to the engine being revved.

How can i find out if this is the fake engine noise.

Keith

4 minutes ago, Beerhunter17 said:

I have a 2018 Karoq 1.6 Diesel that has a louder and different engine noise from the drivers seat than standing outside listening to the engine being revved.

How can i find out if this is the fake engine noise.

Keith

Not sure about the Diesel having the noise or not, but your PR codes will be the tell tale sign of what is what.

On 02/03/2023 at 11:52, EnterName said:

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

I have code "GM1" and the description I have is "Electronic engine sound measures: Standard electronic engine sound".

That suggests my car produces fake engine noise, though a "standard" fake noise, not a sports sound.

I'd be slightly confused, but not entirely surprised if my car has a fake noise generator, as it does make a slightly odd rorty sound on the rare occasions I give it some welly, which sounds slightly unusual.

I assumed it was just how the car sounds when you boot it, not an electronic noise. It's not intrusive, in fact it's oddly pleasing. But I could live without it.

I've never heard the sound outside the car, so I've no idea how it sounds to the rest of the world, assuming they can hear it.

A little research and it turns out there's a few of these codes: https://vag-codes.info/

 

"Not supported".

Well now, isn't that peachy. 🙄

I'm hesitant to get into long coding as it seems my vehicle is quite an unusual variant, so I'll have to keep researching exactly how to turn the fake noise off.

Not that it's a huge problem, but now it seems I can't easily change it, of course I want to change it all the more. 😄