[eric_n_dfw]

One thing I had forgotten about in my 3 years between Volts is the very high pitched inverter whine that it emits. (NOT talking about the bearing issue)

I've seen thread after thread here discussing it but never have I seen anyone find a resolution for it. Is it just something we all have to live with? (at least those of us that can still hear frequencies that high!)

Surely there has to be SOMETHING that can be done as other EV's and PHEV's I've been in don't make this noise.

 

[jbakerjonathan]

Ears stuffed with cotton might just do the trick. In me ute I rode on trolleys down Broadway and the whine brings back good boyhood memories.

 

[Rickoshay]

One thing I had forgotten about in my 3 years between Volts is the very high pitched inverter whine that it emits. (NOT talking about the bearing issue)

I've seen thread after thread here discussing it but never have I seen anyone find a resolution for it. Is it just something we all have to live with? (at least those of us that can still hear frequencies that high!)

Surely there has to be SOMETHING that can be done as other EV's and PHEV's I've been in don't make this noise.

I just crank up Pandora. No more whine.

2014 Volt Premium - Safety pkg 1 and 2, Navigation

 

[Dutch]

Well, I've found this works well.

In seriousness though OHM-RIDE only whines under certain specific circumstances, usually when it's cold and dry and even then it's barely audible. You might want to have yours looked over by a service department.

 

[llninja]

Well, I've found this works well.

In seriousness though OHM-RIDE only whines under certain specific circumstances, usually when it's cold and dry and even then it's barely audible. You might want to have yours looked over by a service department.

I prefer heavy metal guitars with my opera singer music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VgLKXD-BoY

I never hear the inverter whine over my Nightwish.

 

[supchrgamx]

when I upgraded my electric bike to vector control that wine disappeared
more bottom end torque as well

 

[VoltenRock]

If you're talking about the high-pitched sound occasionally coming from the hatch area, there are two fixes: (1) have the dealer install a stronger inverter cover (I believe there is a TSB for it); and/or (2) use a heavy VOLT MAT in the back. I had the whine--but these two things cleared it up.

 

[El Dobro]

I just piss off the girlfriend. After that, she's all I can hear.

 

[freshcut]

I just piss of the girlfriend. After that, she's all I can hear.

Wouldn't the inverter be less annoying, not to mention, shut up once the car is off?

 

[sparks]

The Gen2 (2016 and beyond) doesn't have that whine. I had two Gen1 Volts (a 2012 and later a 2015) and both had that inverter whine. Yes, very high frequency audio, sounded like 15 kHz or so, but I never measured it. That whine drove me crazy after awhile. From that standpoint, it's a relief now driving a 2016 Volt.

 

[El Dobro]

Wouldn't the inverter be less annoying, not to mention, shut up once the car is off?

Yea, but you can't have make up sex with an inverter. Well, most of us can't.

 

[llninja]

Yea, but you can't have make up sex with an inverter. Well, most of us can't.

Aw man, I'm really missing Elemental right now. He would have the perfect short zinger in response to this.

 

[Cheburashka]

My solution is to play in loud bands for many years, then get old. I can't hear those high frequencies anymore. Mosquitoes don't bother me (and they'd rather have younger, less polluted blood than mine) and I tend to have a high-pitched whine going on in my ears 24/7.

 

[CCIE]

Once the load floor in my hatch area came loose and I could hear the APM & APM Fan. They drove me nuts until I realized I just had to re-secure the load floor. It just presses in.


I would start there. The area behind where the load floor is hinged can be pulled up and then reinstalled. It's easier to do if the back seats are folded down.

 

[Prohidium]

One of the volts I test drove made that noise. The one I purchased does not. I do recall a few on here that complained to their dealer and the I believe the fix might have been to replace the inverter module under warranty. I think it takes a lot of convincing with the service tech who probably will not be able to hear it and if they do, will probably say it is normal.

 

[tacman7]

My solution is to play in loud bands for many years, then get old. I can't hear those high frequencies anymore. Mosquitoes don't bother me (and they'd rather have younger, less polluted blood than mine) and I tend to have a high-pitched whine going on in my ears 24/7.

That's me, I haven't heard any high pitched whine in my driving.

Could be my ears though...

 

[eric_n_dfw]

Once the load floor in my hatch area came loose and I could hear the APM & APM Fan. They drove me nuts until I realized I just had to re-secure the load floor. It just presses in.


I would start there. The area behind where the load floor is hinged can be pulled up and then reinstalled. It's easier to do if the back seats are folded down.

Yes!
Following your suggestion I checked that and, sure enough, it was not seated correctly with a inch or two gap at the edge that meets the back seats. Reseated that and the noise is MUCH less. I can still hear it if I listen for it but it's so much quieter now that I am not at all bothered by it, especially with the radio running.

Thank you CCIE!

 

[CCIE]

Yes!
Following your suggestion I checked that and, sure enough, it was not seated correctly with a inch or two gap at the edge that meets the back seats. Reseated that and the noise is MUCH less. I can still hear it if I listen for it but it's so much quieter now that I am not at all bothered by it, especially with the radio running.

Thank you CCIE!

Glad to hear it worked out!


Yes, it's amazing how much that floor muffles the sound of the APM.

 

[Dutch]

Just as an FYI, I also habitually put one of these "Blue Hawk" floor mats in the back of my vehicles.
Mostly it's so I have something easily removed and cleaned or replaced if something gets spilled (or due to the dogs)
But they also do a lot of sound dampening as well.