2009 Elantra has a high pitched noise inside Options

[loninappleton]

This my first post and I did not see a searchable area to begin the topic.

As the second registered owner of an Elantra car that came off of rental I am hearing a high frequency noise which I did not notice on test drives. Initial test drive the salesman drove with the radio on. In my excitement over driving a new vehicle and because it is cold and driving with heater on I did not notice the high pitched noise until after taking ownership.

I have followed a very long thread on another car which describes this exact problem-- including those who thought they might be losing their wits for having heard it. The Infiniti thread tried many things. After a long time the company did replace the problem component which was determined to the the ECU or engine control unit. Even this was hit and miss.

How do I approach this problem with a car still under warranty where very often the service department will either not hear the noise or not acknowledge the problem?

Have others had this problem and what did you do? Is there a technical service bulletin (TSB) related to this problem for Hyundai?

[streetfighterguy]

Do you have an idea as to where the sound is coming from?

I get feedback from my radio with the amp connected to the battery but it is only noticeable when i turn the radio down to zero. Also when i turn it off it goes away.

[VIG]

I'd still try out the service department. The key is being persistent, but not being a jerk (it's a very fine line).

If that doesn't work, I'd turn up my radio.

[loninappleton]

Well I read a long post on this for a different car and everything was so similar I read through 2 years worth of comments on this problem for one of the Infiniti's. It took all morning for 25 pages.

After many complaints and trips to the dealer plus contacts with Infiniti central the problem was determined to be the engine control unit (ECU) and there was technical service bulletin related to it for replacement. They even had a poll on there as to how many people had the problem. About half the owners had the problem. But that could be that half that couldn't hear it if it was there. Kids, young mechanics and those with better hearing hear it right away.

I've had the car for a couple weeks and initially in new car excitement didn't notice it. No contact with the service dealership yet.

Any advice on how I could track down a technical service bulletin for Elantra?

This post has been edited by loninappleton: Dec 15 2010, 03:40 PM

[slowgls]

Well first off, Welcome to the club.Make sure to fill out your profile so we know were you live. And second its 09 take it to the dealer. They can run your vin to see if there is any tsb or recalls on the car.

[Vinnie]

2009 Hyundai Elantra L4-2.0L Copyright © 2009, ALLDATA 10.10 Page 1
Vehicle: Customer Interest
A/T - Noise From The Shift Cable Mass Damper
Group AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
Number 09-AT-004
Date FEBRUARY, 2009
Model
2009 ELANTRA SEDAN AND ELANTRA TOURING
Subject:
NOISE FROM SHIFT CONTROL CABLE MASS DAMPER - INSTALLATION OF PAD
DESCRIPTION:
Some Elantra Sedan and Elantra Touring vehicles equipped with automatic transaxles may experience a noise caused by friction between the shift
control cable and the mass damper. If you are servicing a vehicle with this condition, follow the procedure shown below.
APPLICABLE VEHICLES:
Model: Elantra Sedan (HD) and Elantra Touring (FD) vehicles with automatic transaxle.
Applicable vehicle production date range: From June 9, 2008 to October 30, 2008.
PARTS INFORMATION
SERVICE PROCEDURE:
1. Open the hood
2. Remove two bolts and remove the air intake shroud.
2009 Hyundai Elantra L4-2.0L Copyright © 2009, ALLDATA 10.10 Page 2
3. Disconnect four clips that secure the air cleaner cover.
4. Loosen the air intake housing bolt and remove the air cleaner cover.
5. Remove two bolts and disconnect the connectors to the ECU.
6. Remove the air cleaner housing.
7. Locate the A/T shift control cable mass damper (A) located between the bulk head and the engine.
2009 Hyundai Elantra L4-2.0L Copyright © 2009, ALLDATA 10.10 Page 3
8. Apply quick-drying glue to the top face of the pad, P/N 46790-2H100-FFF, as shown.
NOTE:
Use a commercially available quick-drying glue.
9. Spread the pad and apply glue on the inner side as shown.
10. Insert the pad onto the shift control cable on the dash panel side of the mass damper with the glue applied side facing the mass damper.
2009 Hyundai Elantra L4-2.0L Copyright © 2009, ALLDATA 10.10 Page 4
11. Insert the pad fully into the mass damper as shown.
12. Wait until the glue dries and check that the mass damper is fixed securely to the shift control cable.
WARRANTY INFORMATION

Here is a link to the TSB with pictures and how to's.

http://www.scribd.com/full/45346669?access...xox6vb51ib67vez

[sarge]

Alternatively you could create an account on HMASERVICE.com and there's a TSB section there which has the same info Vinnie is posting.

HMAService is probably your best resource on the web for Hyundai repairs (besides EC of course )

[Bigs]

The only trouble with high pitch noises was in the passenger seat... Ended up being the wife nagging and nagging... Took a while for me to find out as I'm able to block that stuff out!

Now on a serious note.

Where is the noise coming from? Are the speakers/radio picking that up? I know it's less frequent these days to get noise in newer systems.

[loninappleton]

Do you have an idea as to where the sound is coming from?

I get feedback from my radio with the amp connected to the battery but it is only noticeable when i turn the radio down to zero. Also when i turn it off it goes away.

For those interested in this there is a long (25 pages) thread on what I believe is the specific problem. The forum is for Infinitis but they have thoroughly discussed, located and given solutions (still partial for me) for a fix.

http://myg37.com/forums/g37-sedan/190172-h...noise-poll.html

The noise is described and in the link there is even sound samples. The process for Infiniti G37 owners went on a couple years and took me all morning to read through. But the discussion was worth it.

The sound was traced to the engine control unit (ECU) electronics. This sound goes with the radio off but any key position which is "on" such as accessories. The sound only goes off when the key is removed. It is a high pitched sound like you would hear during a hearing test. Frequency is around 10,000 hz.

The long link describes how you can use tools available with an iPhone to get a graph of the noise. These guys were very thorough.

You see, such a sound can be maddening for those who hear it. Kids all can hear it. People over 50 would more than likely give a blank stare (like those who can't hear florescent light hum.) I'm 63. I build audio speakers and so can hear and have listened to a lot of test tones.


Grounding kits are available to counter this ECU hum. One is called The Big Three.

Another custom kit (lengths built and tuned to individual Infiniti models is called Betty's Garage Ground kit. I'll get the specific link but this post is pretty long.

BRB


This is a review with pictures of Black Betty's Garage Grounding Kit.


http://myg37.com/forums/engine-drivetrain-...it-5at-g37.html

This mod is recommended to get rid of the hum at the Infinity thread on the subject.

For convenience that thread is here and linked on page 25 where the user recommends
BB:

http://myg37.com/forums/g37-sedan/190172-h...tml#post3019750

And on this page is where I began asking questions about using the mod on other cars.

[keyboard]

Wondering if anyone has found a solution to this problem. My 2009 Elantra has a high frequency noise coming from the radio speakers. It happens with AM, FM, XM, CD with the engine running or off and the key in acc. position. My wife will notice it when there is music on the radio. I can only hear it when I turn the volume down to 0. It does not happen all the time. Some times it pulses on and off. The dealer has heard it but will not do anything since they cannot hear it when they are driving.

[jamhandman]

I haven't noticed this in my HD, but maybe I can't hear it... :/ Did you try the grounding kit suggested above?

[keyboard]

No, I haven't but will read more about it. I will also suggest this to the dealer. The car is still under warranty. Right now I am going to call Hyundai Customer Service and see what they have to say.