Soundaktor

[Michael1a1]

So i am just about to place an order for the VZ2 to replace my current Cupra 290 and i've a quick question on the Soundaktor in Cupra mode.

I've head various reviewers mention that its a bit too imposing and i just wondered does anyone know if its much lounder than my current Cupra?
To be fair with that i used Carista to be able to turn it down when its in Cupra mode so that it wasnt as loud. (as well as disabling the start stop)

Am guessing though that the new Formentor is a little too newly released to be able to get access to play around with things using the ODB port?

Cheers!

 

[Maypack]

Im currently in the process of trying to code out my Soundaktor on my VZ2 Formentor with OBD and so far I’ve not had any luck. I do have dobro e looking into it with the IBD team for me and im waiting on a reply from them.

Im using my car in Individual mode where you can leave the Soundaktor in Comfort (ie quiet) but engine etc in Cupra. That’s one work around but im still wanting the thing coded out.


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[Michael1a1]

Im currently in the process of trying to code out my Soundaktor on my VZ2 Formentor with OBD and so far I’ve not had any luck. I do have dobro e looking into it with the IBD team for me and im waiting on a reply from them.

Im using my car in Individual mode where you can leave the Soundaktor in Comfort (ie quiet) but engine etc in Cupra. That’s one work around but im still wanting the thing coded out.


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Ah that's good to know have used them in the past so fingers crossed they manage to get there with it!
At least you can select the engine noise in the individual mode though, sounds like there is quite a lot more options to choose from that previous models.

Will keep my fingers cross they manage to sort it!

 

[Maypack]

Ah that's good to know have used them in the past so fingers crossed they manage to get there with it!
At least you can select the engine noise in the individual mode though, sounds like there is quite a lot more options to choose from that previous models.

Will keep my fingers cross they manage to sort it!

Managed to code the Soundaktor on my VZ2 to 0% ie no sound from it. Only pure engine sound for me from now


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[Zephyr]

Managed to code the Soundaktor on my VZ2 to 0% ie no sound from it. Only pure engine sound for me from now

Have you used VCDS or Carista? Made Friday a Auto Scan with VCDS and checked in two or the usual places but haven't found the place where to adjust the volume to zero of such fake noise (if anyone wants 5Cyl sound, step up to a VZ5 ).

 

[Maypack]

Have you used VCDS or Carista? Made Friday a Auto Scan with VCDS and checked in two or the usual places but haven't found the place where to adjust the volume to zero of such fake noise (if anyone wants 5Cyl sound, step up to a VZ5 ).

I used OBDeleven.

Control Unit A9 Structure Borne Sound

It didn’t appear for me at first but I did a recheck of the Gateway and it appeared.

The strange thing with the coding is that it had to be done with the bonnet open, otherwise the car won’t accept it. It appears to be something new on 2020+ vehicles.


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[Michael1a1]

That’s brilliant, in that case I think I will be needing to order a new ODBeleven!

Once I’ve got the car might need to drop you a message to run through the process as sounds a bit different than a simple coding adjustment

 

[Maypack]

That’s brilliant, in that case I think I will be needing to order a new ODBeleven!

Once I’ve got the car might need to drop you a message to run through the process as sounds a bit different than a simple coding adjustment

Coding is the same as it was for my Leon Cupra 300. Only difference is that the bonnet has to be open and you have to get the Gateway to show up the Control Unit A9.


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[Agnes.Surrey]

Here's the manual how to physically disconnect Sound actuator.

It's located on the passenger's side of the car. So when you open the bonnet, for RHD cars it's on the right side and for LHD cars it's on the left side. You have to pull away foam, to allow access under the plastic cover.

You will be able to see sound actuator under it. There's no doubt it's the right device, as it has part number and name on it.

Small grey part on the plug requires pulling towards front of the car and the plug can be removed. And that's it. Having small hands helps. You can alway ask wife/gf to do this.

There are no errors when the car starts and no annoying, fake noise.

Before sound from the cabin: http://www.orangego.pl/Sounds/Cupra_Sound_actuator.m4a
After: http://www.orangego.pl/Sounds/Cupra_Sound_Actuator_off.m4a

 

[Peyton]

@Agnes.Surrey thank you for the tutorial! If I understood correctly, first you pull out the "gray/white" part to unlock the plug and then pull the plug?

In Cupra mode it is just too loud if you sit in the front. Also it's very "on/off", if you are off the throttle the sound is much less then if you press throttle ever so slighty. Doesn't seem to be how a real engine would sound.

I'm wondering does Sport mode fake sound as well but to a lesser degree? I'll probably turn off Soundaktor regardless but I find Sport mode more palatable.

 

[Agnes.Surrey]

Yes, small grey part needs to be pulled to unlock the big plug.

I think sport mode is a bit quieter than Cupra, but also fake. When you disconnect actuator, there's no difference in sound between modes. To make car louder, you have to switch gearbox to sport.

I went for a ride today, and could finally hear engine as it is. Didn't try any pop and bangs, as there was no right place for it.

I'm pretty sure now, that car I test drove in December, had sound actuator switched off or faulty. I couldn't understand why people complained in reviews about fake sound, because I didn't hear anything like it.

 

[Peyton]

Yes, small grey part needs to be pulled to unlock the big plug.

I think sport mode is a bit quieter than Cupra, but also fake. When you disconnect actuator, there's no difference in sound between modes. To make car louder, you have to switch gearbox to sport.

I went for a ride today, and could finally hear engine as it is. Didn't try any pop and bangs, as there was no right place for it.

I'm pretty sure now, that car I test drove in December, had sound actuator switched off or faulty. I couldn't understand why people complained in reviews about fake sound, because I didn't hear anything like it.

Thanks, I've managed to unplug it. For my LHD car, the Soundaktor was on the passenger side, apparently it's opposite of the driver. It seemed to be bit harder to reach then it looked in your photos, but in the end I managed after pulling a bit of rubber protection to improve access to the area.

Plugging it out took a while, I could easily reach the white part to unlock but the plug stayed attached, had to wiggle it out and suddenly it released. Not sure what is the proper motion, perhaps pushing on the white part after unlocking?

About the sound, when stationary, there is a slight difference in internal sound between Sport and Comfort. This persists even after unplugging the Soundaktor so it is probably due to exhaust flap opening. Now Cupra mode is the same as Sport when stationary, only slight change of sound without massively fake rumbling noise when stationary.

I haven't had a drive to see how Sport compares to Sport before Soundaktor deactivation. I'll try to report back. I have a feeling part of Sport had the fake sound as well, I could hear the rumbling when touching throttle in the mid rpm range.

About the gearbox, I think that S will be more aggressive with upshifts/downshifts, which will emit those burbles/farts, but exhaust flap and engine mode is probably the most important for pops and bangs.

 

[Agnes.Surrey]

In that case, I will update original post with location of the device. I'm surprised it's on the other side in European cars. Bonnet opening is on LHD side regardless of the country.

 

[Peyton]

In that case, I will update original post with location of the device. I'm surprised it's on the other side in European cars. Bonnet opening is on LHD side regardless of the country.

I was surprised as well. Perhaps something related to steering takes space on the drivers side and they put the Soundaktor opposite.

Big thanks @Agnes.Surrey, I'm very happy with Soundaktor off .

 

[Peyton]

I've taken the car out for a drive. I think sport mode definitely has a degree of fake sound with soundaktor on. When I plugged it off, there is no "on/off" sound in mid range. The car is quiet on the inside, you can hear some pops and bangs, mostly if you are in 3000-3500 rpm range (can be done easier with paddles) and then quicky going off the throttle.

Quite happy with the change. It's not most emotional experience on the inside, but at least the car is not faking it to me

 

[Napmasterflash]

If you are in the less sporty modes does the soundaktor still make itself known??

 

[Peyton]

If you are in the less sporty modes does the soundaktor still make itself known??

In Comfort I don't think it works at all. I am not 100% sure but I haven't noticed it.

In Sport it is much less prominent, but it is there. You can notice if if you are cruising along and then press the throttle slightly. The "engine" will rumble much more then you'd expect.
In Cupra it is loud and noticeable. Even when idling (try idling and switch through the modes). Sport and Cupra work with open exhaust flaps but Cupra uses much higher level of soundaktor.

 

[Napmasterflash]

I was just reading the review of the Formentor on Evo and they say it generates engine noise with "resonace and depth" which is at odds with everything else I have seen and read.

Might they have changed it based on every review saying how bad it sounded?

You can read it Here

 

[EuKiwi]

Here's the manual how to physically disconnect Sound actuator.

It's located on the passenger's side of the car. So when you open the bonnet, for RHD cars it's on the right side and for LHD cars it's on the left side. You have to pull away foam, to allow access under the plastic cover.

View attachment 23317

You will be able to see sound actuator under it. There's no doubt it's the right device, as it has part number and name on it.

View attachment 23318

Small grey part on the plug requires pulling towards front of the car and the plug can be removed. And that's it. Having small hands helps. You can alway ask wife/gf to do this.

View attachment 23319

There are no errors when the car starts and no annoying, fake noise.

Before sound from the cabin: http://www.orangego.pl/Sounds/Cupra_Sound_actuator.m4a
After: http://www.orangego.pl/Sounds/Cupra_Sound_Actuator_off.m4a

Thanks for this Agnes, I'll be doing this ASAP on mine.

Out of interest, how does the actuator system work on the Formentor - is it proper exhaust noise piped through to the cabin via valves etc... or is it totally simulated? Presumably if there is an actuator, it is SOMEWHAT related to actual engine noise being fed through to the cabin, but it sounds so fake I can't be sure.

 

[aguy]

is it proper exhaust noise piped through to the cabin via valves etc

Nah, think cheap!
I think of it as a speaker synthesizing engine noise as in video games (based on rpm and load) + some tricks with resonance through the car body.