High-pitched "Electrical Whine"

[methorian]

I had sent an e-mail to the "EV Team" at Ford about the issue and they did respond first thing this am:

I’m sorry to hear about this noise issue. Our brand team has been made aware of this and if there are any updates someone from the EV Team will let you know.

Thank you for being a Mustang Mach-E customer, we are thrilled that you are excited about the vehicle!

-EV Team

Not sure much will come of that, but nice they responded pretty quickly!

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[Mirak]

When I started reading this thread, my first impression was “this is one of those guys who is super sensitive to certain frequencies.” This issue came up a lot with plasma televisions.

But I can definitely hear an annoying whine in those videos. If it is anywhere near that noticeable as what I’m hearing with my phone volume turned up, that would be totally unacceptable. It sounds like a fluorescent light fixture with a bad ballast.

Curious - does the driver screen time out / turn off at any point when the car is on? It sure sounds like it’s coming from the driver screen, but it would be helpful to isolate the issue if you could turn off that screen while the car is still on.

I heard nothing like this during my test drive but it was so short and everything was so unfamiliar that I might have missed it. I should have closed my eyes while In park and done an ear test.

 

[methorian]

When I started reading this thread, my first impression was “this is one of those guys who is super sensitive to certain frequencies.” This issue came up a lot with plasma televisions.

But I can definitely hear an annoying whine in those videos. If it is anywhere near that noticeable as what I’m hearing with my phone volume turned up, that would be totally unacceptable. It sounds like a fluorescent light fixture with a bad ballast.

Curious - does the driver screen time out / turn off at any point when the car is on? It sure sounds like it’s coming from the driver screen, but it would be helpful to isolate the issue if you could turn off that screen while the car is still on.

I heard nothing like this during my test drive but it was so short and everything was so unfamiliar that I might have missed it. I should have closed my eyes while In park and done an ear test.

You're spot on with the bad fluorescent ballast sound, and yes, I am super sensitive and a bit nit-picky.

The screen does time out, so I have isolated it to that display. When you open the drivers door the startup animation starts on it, and so long as you don't press the start button, the screen will turn off. The sound very obviously starts and stops with that screen.

 

[BasicSaber]

Hey there, long time lurker here who finally decided to make an account because of what was described in this specific thread...

I really dislike any high pitched noises like what was described here and really hope you get it resolved. When I did the Mach E tour last month, I don't remember the model I was in having a whine like that.

One of the first things I thought when listening to the sound in the video was "Playstation 5 Coil Whine". There is huge thread of users claiming a similar sound coming from their consoles (myself included). It was determined to likely come from the power supply used in the system. Sony currently is suffering from a shortage in stock, so I haven't bothered with the repair process yet.

Anyways my point is, having to deal with a sound like that is unacceptable. Me having to deal with it in a $500 game machine is one thing, but having to deal with it on a $500+ per month car? NO WAY.

Please do whatever you can to get it resolved. I really hope the Mach E I get in the future (not sure when yet) doesn't suffer from the same.

 

[methorian]

Hey there, long time lurker here who finally decided to make an account because of what was described in this specific thread...

I really dislike any high pitched noises like what was described here and really hope you get it resolved. When I did the Mach E tour last month, I don't remember the model I was in having a whine like that.

One of the first things I thought when listening to the sound in the video was "Playstation 5 Coil Whine". There is huge thread of users claiming a similar sound coming from their consoles (myself included). It was determined to likely come from the power supply used in the system. Sony currently is suffering from a shortage in stock, so I haven't bothered with the repair process yet.

Anyways my point is, having to deal with a sound like that is unacceptable. Me having to deal with it in a $500 game machine is one thing, but having to deal with it on a $500+ per month car? NO WAY.

Please do whatever you can to get it resolved. I really hope the Mach E I get in the future (not sure when yet) doesn't suffer from the same.

Heading out to another dealer shortly to compare with their demo Mach-E, then to my dealer to discuss. I'll be keeping you guys posted!

 

[RyZt]

You're spot on with the bad fluorescent ballast sound, and yes, I am super sensitive and a bit nit-picky.

The screen does time out, so I have isolated it to that display. When you open the drivers door the startup animation starts on it, and so long as you don't press the start button, the screen will turn off. The sound very obviously starts and stops with that screen.

The car turns "on"-ish when you open the door, involving a few components including (but not limited to) the display. The timeout is probably not just the display either.

I agree with @Mirak that your evidence isn't conclusive. Now, display is a very likely culprit, and I agree. It's just not conclusive.

 

[Cactuspack]

Oh yea - definitely the little instrument cluster screen. It goes away when that times out and turns off (by getting in the car with the key and it "wakes up", but if you don't turn the car on it'll time out and turn off).

Here's a video where even played back I can clearly hear it... You may need to turn your volume up.

I just test drove a Premium AWD MME on Saturday... definitely no electric whine like that.

Send that pony back to the dealer's stable.

 

[methorian]

I just test drove a Premium AWD MME on Saturday... definitely no electric whine like that.

Send that pony back to the dealer's stable.

At the dealership now!

Unfortunately the other dealership in town that has received their demo model had it in service and said it wouldn’t be out till this evening (even though I called this AM to confirm me coming by around lunchtime).

We’ll see what my dealership says and go from there.

 

[agoldman]

Here you go. Problem solved:

Pony POMMS Premium Equine Ear Plugs are designed to allow your pony to hear normal tones, while greatly reducing distracting or loud noises. POMMS “comfort plus” design protects your pony's sensitive ears from wind, water and debris.

 

[janitorjim]

not gone through the whole thread but it might be a fan that has a bit of a wobble

 

[methorian]

Just got home from my dealership and their service department.

Everyone who listened could definitely notice it, and believes it to be out of the ordinary. They've put in a ticket with Ford directly before doing anything, as they don't want to pull the dash apart/etc without some assistance.

I figured that to be the case, so I'm perfectly fine with it. I wouldn't want them attempting to diagnose by ripping parts out of a car they haven't actually repaired yet, without some backup from Ford directly.

They'll be getting their demo model within a month as well, along with other customer orders. So that'll give more examples of Mach-E's without the issue as well.

I just wanted to have it documented on their end ASAP so they can work on a solution.

Time will tell just how easy that'll be, but I'll keep this thread updated with any info.

If the demo is still at the other dealership across town this weekend I'll ride over again to see it. Was still in their service department when I called leaving my dealership this afternoon.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Just got home from my dealership and their service department.

Everyone who listened could definitely notice it, and believes it to be out of the ordinary. They've put in a ticket with Ford directly before doing anything, as they don't want to pull the dash apart/etc without some assistance.

I figured that to be the case, so I'm perfectly fine with it. I wouldn't want them attempting to diagnose by ripping parts out of a car they haven't actually repaired yet, without some backup from Ford directly.

They'll be getting their demo model within a month as well, along with other customer orders. So that'll give more examples of Mach-E's without the issue as well.

I just wanted to have it documented on their end ASAP so they can work on a solution.

Time will tell just how easy that'll be, but I'll keep this thread updated with any info.

If the demo is still at the other dealership across town this weekend I'll ride over again to see it. Was still in their service department when I called leaving my dealership this afternoon.

Sounds like the perfect response. I'm sure the dealer doesn't have the replacement parts, yet.

Ford needs to know this is a potential issue and start looking into it. If yours is the first they have encountered, they'll probably want to have your dealer pull the entire driver display so Ford can test it to determine the issue. You'll get a brand new display in the process.

 

[Badger_Prof]

So far my biggest issue/complaint is a pretty obvious high-pitched electrical whine that seems to come from somewhere around the small instrument cluster screen. As soon as I get in the car and it "wakes up" it's immediately obvious to me, and incredibly annoying. I do have sensitive hearing, and have usually pointed out these kinds of noises to others who don't hear them, but this one is blaringly obvious. Without music to drown it out, it's downright obnoxious!

Any other Mach-E owners experience/notice this? I even had my partner get in and he hears it, but isn't as annoyed by it.

My Rapid Red Premium AWD ER just arrived today. I have only spent about 20 minutes in it so far but cannot hear a whine (I could clearly hear the whine in your video).

 

[methorian]

My Rapid Red Premium AWD ER just arrived today. I have only spent about 20 minutes in it so far but cannot hear a whine (I could clearly hear the whine in your video).

Good to hear, and congratulations!!

 

[Mike16]

Sounds like the perfect response. I'm sure the dealer doesn't have the replacement parts, yet.

Ford needs to know this is a potential issue and start looking into it. If yours is the first they have encountered, they'll probably want to have your dealer pull the entire driver display so Ford can test it to determine the issue. You'll get a brand new display in the process.

and ship back every mach e to speedway for another quality check ?

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