High-pitched "Electrical Whine"

[methorian]

So even if you pick the darker color setting and not Auto, the brightness still increases due to daylight? Is yours set for darker screen color as a permanent setting or is at set to Auto?

It's set to Dark for both screens - I hate the lighter/white color scheme.

As far as I'm aware, most modern instrument clusters/screen automatically increase/decrease brightness via light sensors for day/night.

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[SoriceConsulting]

It's set to Dark for both screens - I hate the lighter/white color scheme.

As far as I'm aware, most modern instrument clusters/screen automatically increase/decrease brightness via light sensors for day/night.

Just an FYI. I did a test drive today - had a Premium AWD ER for about 4 hours to drive and play with. I did not notice any high pitched noise - even with my head near steering wheel (no radio, climate control, etc. on) - and, as a musician, I am very sensitive to sound. There must be defective screens floating around out there that Ford needs to fix.

 

[mountp]

I can now hear high pitched noise and it varies with brightness. I also have buzzing noise when I use the AM radio. I wonder if they are related? Basically makes AM unusable. Anyone else have issue with their AM Radio?

 

[Nav]

Wellpp, count me in. I'll be watching this thread. I knew if my car had this noise I would hear it. I've been trying to stay away - no offense @methorian - from this and related threads/videos (#bluepill) but sadly unavoidable now. FCTP I drove prior did not have the noise, or maybe I was too excited to notice.

Hoping for a fix from Ford (FFF) soon!

 

[louibluey]

Just an FYI. I did a test drive today - had a Premium AWD ER for about 4 hours to drive and play with. I did not notice any high pitched noise - even with my head near steering wheel (no radio, climate control, etc. on) - and, as a musician, I am very sensitive to sound. There must be defective screens floating around out there that Ford needs to fix.

That was my initial thought too (both my demo Prem 4X, then Louiebluey GB FE), but the iPhone video challenge proved me wrong. If you get another chance, do a short video with a phone near the steering wheel. Record as you increase and decrease the screen brightness (lower left on dash below steering wheel).

 

[SteelMach]

That was my thought too, but the iPhone video challenge proved me wrong. Do a short video with a phone near the steering wheel if you get another chance. Record as you increase and decrease the screen brightness (lower left on dash below steering wheel).

Scroll through the brightness fast enough and the buzzing reminds me of old 8-bit video game music! A small comfort while I wait for a fix.

 

[RonTCat]

I can now hear high pitched noise and it varies with brightness. I also have buzzing noise when I use the AM radio. I wonder if they are related? Basically makes AM unusable. Anyone else have issue with their AM Radio?

Electromagnetic fields are created by an electric motor and motor drive during use. No getting around that. They are strong enough at AM frequencies for your radio to pick them up.

Two choices:
1) Shield everything motor and motor drive related. Twice. Three times. Have AM radio, still get some buzz. Try really good AM radio, still get some buzz.
2) Give up, don't offer AM radio. Some popular EV makers have gone this route.

 

[SteelMach]

Electromagnetic fields are created by an electric motor and motor drive during use. No getting around that. They are strong enough at AM frequencies for your radio to pick them up.

Two choices:
1) Shield everything motor and motor drive related. Twice. Three times. Have AM radio, still get some buzz. Try really good AM radio, still get some buzz.
2) Give up, don't offer AM radio. Some popular EV makers have gone this route.

Yup. Polestar, Volvo, and Tesla all ditched AM. Not a coincidence.

 

[Jimmy2]

Electromagnetic fields are created by an electric motor and motor drive during use. No getting around that. They are strong enough at AM frequencies for your radio to pick them up.

Now that's an interesting theory, sounds plausible. Ok all you electric motor experts out there, we would love to hear you weigh in on this.

 

[RonTCat]

Now that's an interesting theory, sounds plausible. Ok all you electric motor experts out there, we would love to hear you weigh in on this.

OK, here's a theory:

Ford -
Engineering: EMI makes AM radio near impossible
Marketing: We gotta have it. Studies show BEV owners want AM radio
CEO: Find a way to make AM radio work
Enginering: %$&^#*

Tesla -
Engineering: EMI makes AM radio near impossible
Musk: Screw it then, tell people AM radio is old and we only make cutting edge vehicles
Engineering: Thanks

 

[Nav]

I'm sensing a future thread about a mod in the DIY section: "AM antenna delete!"

 

[MurphyDog]

Count me in. Picked up my FE a couple days ago and the sound of the screen is very noisy. I doesn't seem to bother me when I'm driving, but sitting with the car stopped while playing with the settings, it really is noticeable. I will let my dealer know so I at least get it logged.

 

[CHeil402]

Now that's an interesting theory, sounds plausible. Ok all you electric motor experts out there, we would love to hear you weigh in on this.

In AM radio, the 'information' (AKA music) is encoded in the amplitude (or strength) of the signal. Therefore, AM radio is much more sensitive to inconsistent wideband interference. Any spark will create an 'impulse' that essentially is a temporary wideband spike. That's why you can hear a lightning strike on AM radio. Electric motors can and do emit electromagnetic interference (EMI)... however, they can be designed to minimize this and the intensity of the interference drops off exponentially with distance from the source. Passenger trains have huge electric motors, and there's no widespread news of it blocking a passenger from listening to AM radio. Ideally the AM antenna is as far as possible.

That being said, if the screen whine is caused by a bad inductor that could also be a source of possible EMI. I'm curious and will have to test all these theories once I get my car. For those that suffer from bad screen whine, can you check your AM radio signal quality?

 

[Thevanin]

Picked up mine on Monday and it has it. The dealer demo car had it as well. I took a vid showing that it changed with the screen brightness and asked them to send it to Ford with no response yet.

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