Fake engine sound removal in 5 mins - RHD vehicle only

[Mackie99]

Looked online for all the tutorials on how to remove the active/fake sound module and they all specify to remove the console trim etc.

So after I pulled out the glovebox I noticed a large diagonal slot on the side of trim panel that i could look through and spotted the module.
I was able to insert a long flat screwdriver through this hole and push in and hold the tab (marked with Y

ellow arrow) while sliding it out in the direction of the Red arrow. To my surprise it was almost too easy, so took the car for several drives and it stopped the fake engine sound and i havnt not noticed any vibrations coming from the removed connector. Very happy i didnt have to unclip the above trim etc just to get to it.
And im sure i could re-attach it with some long nose pliers, if i ever wanted to do that.

This was on a RHD Australian model so not sure about the USA etc LHD models or if its possible.

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[Nanook]

I will have to delve into this on a LFH US car!! I spent waaaaay too long helping my son-in-law with caliper replacement on his Jetta yesterday. Something easy would be nice. I‘ve been hesitant to dig into disassembling the dash as well.

 

[Chilly613]

I will have to delve into this on a LFH US car!! I spent waaaaay too long helping my son-in-law with caliper replacement on his Jetta yesterday. Something easy would be nice. I‘ve been hesitant to dig into disassembling the dash as well.

Should be the same or similar to this person's video that disabled it on their Si.

 

[Nanook]

Nope. That’s what I’m trying to avoid doing

 

[sugarl4nd]

To be honest, removing the dash is not that bad and pretty straight forward.

 

[Nanook]

To be honest, removing the dash is not that bad and pretty straight forward.

Yeah…but i have a knack for breaking clips…

 

[Bald Wonder]

So what if I want to make it louder? I can barely hear what the engine is doing during autocross runs.

 

[zumbooruk]

So what if I want to make it louder? I can barely hear what the engine is doing during autocross runs.

from my understanding, it is a fake, recorded/synthesized sound that is "injected" into the stereo system.

I doubt that it will tell you what the engine is doing...

if anything, I believe that the fake sound will mask the actual engine sound.

Note that I removed the fake noise maker the first weekend I owned my car, so I cannot really comment on the fake sound...

 

[cryptolime]

Yeah…but i have a knack for breaking clips…

? i fubar'd my overhead console mounting brackets when installing my fitcamx. luckily, still stays in place somehow.

 

[zumbooruk]

Yeah…but i have a knack for breaking clips…

Same here, just this weekend I found another broken plastic clip on the garage floor :-(

It seems that my brand new FL5 trim (and back light) is held by glue instead of clips...

 

[Cueyo]

Think I'm on the minority here, the fake engine sound is terrible at higher rpms in lower gears, but sounds really convincing at higher gears (unless I'm mistaking the valve opening at higher gears).

 

[cryptolime]

Think I'm on the minority here, the fake engine sound is terrible at higher rpms in lower gears, but sounds really convincing at higher gears (unless I'm mistaking the valve opening at higher gears).

lol, i thought something was wrong with my engine because sometimes it makes a weird rattling sound around 3k rpms

 

[ZackeyTypeR]

Has anyone figured out if this is the same for LHD yet?

 

[ctechauto]

Has anyone figured out if this is the same for LHD yet?

Use the video chilly613 posted. Although the video tells you to take off dash panels, you dont have to, especially if you have small hands. Did this immediately when the FL5 arrived home, took like 5 min.

 

[Sporky McGeuschky]

Use the video chilly613 posted. Although the video tells you to take off dash panels, you dont have to, especially if you have small hands. Did this immediately when the FL5 arrived home, took like 5 min.

This.

I followed the ProjectBluRay video... *almost* to a T.
The ONLY thing I did differently was I only pulled out the AC vent panel to just shy of the center stereo infotainment screen, instead of removing it completely. Works like a charm. Complete vent panel removal is not necessary and is a bit overkill.
Just use a smooth plastic trim tool along with a clean cotton towel (or T-shirt sleeve) and you should be fine.
I like the fact that I know that I can reach the whole phony sound module unit so that in the future, hopefully, I can encapsulate it completely with heat shrink.

I have two reasons for this:
1.) Keep the module unit clean, dust free, and undamaged for the lifetime of the car, and
2.) Maybe reduce vibration from the module unit being disconnected from the sound system.
... Zip tying the unit to the inside of the dash will likely reduce vibration as well.

Remind me to go buy some heat shrink and a hair dryer.

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