I just purchased a 2009 Jetta SE and about a week ago noticed a high-pitched whining noise coming from the car that I don't believe was there before. It's a constant noise and starts as soon as the engine is turned over. Has anyone else experienced this?
I get something like this with my 09 TDI. It's not really a whine but a high-pitched pulsing. It's intermittent when idling and only evident in the city. On the highway, it almost disappears. It makes my ears ring like I've been at a concert.
I know exactly what you are talking about. We have a '09 Jetta SE SportWagen that has a constant high pitch ringing sound when the engine is on. It's a low volume sound - but once you hear it - it's unmistakable. Neither the pitch or volume change at speed. The sound seems to come from the rear (possibly right side) of the car and is noticeable inside and outside the car.
We recently took the car in for that and another issue and we were (surprisingly) told the ringing is evidently common to the car. The technicians replicated the sound with the other models they had on the lot.
They had another '09 Wagon in the showroom (S trim, 2.0 engine) and, sure enough, we heard the same sound. It was even louder on that car - but that could have been because it was inside. We then cranked up an '09 Jetta Sedan that they had outside and we heard it again. Same pitch, similar volume.
To their credit, VW service and tech were helpful and understanding. The tech examined the car - but could not find the source. When the service service person heard it - she was amazed - and said the sound would "drive her crazy". She could not find a technical bulletin about the issue and told us that our only recourse at the moment was to contact VW directly as she researched further.
I'm surprised that there is not more information about this issue here or elsewhere - as it's quite noticeable - and annoying - and seems to be common to all trims (except TDI). Anybody else have this problem with their '09 Jetta gasser?
Last edited by loosemoose; 03-31-2009 at 02:55 PM.
Hmm.. i havent heard that. I have heard a low-frequency type of noise when u first start it. Almost sounds like a Jake-Brake <sp> off a tractor-trailer. Then the other day we drove with the sunroof open and the wind + dynamics of the car made a fluttering bass sound. i thot the music was messed up. 08 Jetta 2.5 BTW.
I'm surprised that there is not more information about this issue here or elsewhere - as it's quite noticeable - and annoying - and seems to be common to all trims (except TDI). Anybody else have this problem with their '09 Jetta gasser?
I noticed it the first time I drove in my 2009 Jetta and later confirmed it with my girlfriend. I also noticed that when one raises the windows when the windows are already up (thus placing strain on the car's electrical resources), the pitch of the noise decreases.
Diagnosing noises over the internet is tough. Your best bet is to take your car to a shop of your choice. If it's under warranty, of course take it to the dealer.
I wanted to add myself to the list of owners here that have noticed this whining sound. It's like a dog whistle pitch that drives me batty without music. In the end has anyone gotten official word on how to get rid or manage it in some way? I can't believe this got past them.
BTW why does the Jetta, an SE in this case, sound louder than the Rabbit when they have the same motors? We had a Rabbit and it was hard to tell it was on and even sounded like a hybrid car when it was driving, not the Jetta though as it is LOUD overall. Is this normal?
VW recognizes a problem related to in-cabin sound; they have a german word (a euphemism?) for it, which I don't remember now. I read about it on vw.com; their recommendation ("solution") had something to do with adjusting either the sunroof or the windows. If you look around in vw.com you might find what I'm referring to.
My wife and I just got back from test driving a 2009 Jetta and it is a great car. Nice power, funner to drive, and better interior than the comparable Japan cars.
But....when sitting at a stop light I heard this incredibly annoying high pitch sound. At first I thought it was coming from outside but we then pulled over into a quiet parking lot and it was still there. I tried to isolated the sound and it appears to be coming from under the car between the two front seats. It is definitely not coming from the engine compartment. It sounds almost like an electrical high pitch sound, which are the worse.
I'll admit, it is very high pitch and most people will not be able to hear it, but for those that can it is incredibly annoying. So much so that we have our doubts about purchasing this car over a little sound.
We heard this in two different models, an S manual and SE automatic. Hopefully this was fixed in the 2010 models.
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2009 Jetta - Whining Noise
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