Speaker buzzing rattle - already soundproofed

[Fastaf]

Hey folks, having a weird issue with my V6 F type 2014 coupe.

Comes with the base factory system, and there is a buzzing noise coming from the driver door at certain frequencies.

I thought this was the sound proofing issue so spent yesterday soundproofing the car and ensuring none of the wiring in the door was vibrating. The buzzing however still persists. It seems to be coming from around the middle speaker in the door, the one close to the grip on the door.

It changes as well, it’s not always present, but when it is it can be really horrible and reduces all music to a buzzing mess.

Here’s a video - it’s particularly bad near the end: https://youtube.com/shorts/c7j_o-huvTI?si=GS16FD3sQ6_bj3WE

Is this a blown speaker? Or something else? Anyone else experienced this?

 

[Blackberry]

I have the same issue and even after soundproofing and replacing the speakers with upgraded Kevlar cone ones. Mine is around the handle / window switches - if I grip the handle and pull out a bit the buzzing seems to cease so its like a reverb inside the door panel. I need to investigate further - keep putting it off. If you find out what causing your buzzing please share!

 

[Fastaf]

Tried a new speaker today, still the same issue.

Then went and tightened all the screws to ensure everything is tight. Checked everywhere and couldn’t for the life of me find the source.

Unsure what to do/check now! Defo coming from the mid speaker. When I take it out completely and play music the buzzing is gone. Tested the impedance of the speakers and they were both good.

Mines coming from the same place I think as you Blackberry.

 

[WhoKnows]

When I take it out completely and play music the buzzing is gone.

From an engineering view (not experience with this car's speakers), that is interesting as it rules out most wiring issues or a blown speaker. Plus it does sound to me more like a vibration rather than interference from an earthing short.

Next is to check if the vibration is from what it is screwed in to vs something nearby vibrating

I believe the mid range is attached to the door trim, does it vibrate when attached to the door trim but with door trim not attached to the car?

 

[Fastaf]

When I take it out completely and play music the buzzing is gone.

From an engineering view (not experience with this car's speakers), that is interesting as it rules out most wiring issues or a blown speaker. Plus it does sound to me more like a vibration rather than interference from an earthing short.

Next is to check if the vibration is from what it is screwed in to vs something nearby vibrating

I believe the mid range is attached to the door trim, does it vibrate when attached to the door trim but with door trim not attached to the car?

The mid range is attached to the door trim, doesn’t make the noise when it’s separated from the door frame. Does make noise when it’s connected. It’s driving my head in, coming from near where the handle attached to the door trim.

 

[KM69MZX]

Very interested in this post as I have the same problem.

From the description above, the problem is only when the panel is fixed to the door. Don't know how many fixings there are, but is there enough space to get some sound deadening around each fixing point ?

For example, you could cut out a big round "washer" to sit around each fixing (placed in between the panel and door of course so not visible), to try and isolate the vibration ?

Best of luck and do let us know if you solve it.

 

[WhoKnows]

And if KMs solution doesn't work you could try some sort of wedge between the trim and the door skin to stop the trim moving / vibrating

 

[Fastaf]

Very interested in this post as I have the same problem.

From the description above, the problem is only when the panel is fixed to the door. Don't know how many fixings there are, but is there enough space to get some sound deadening around each fixing point ?

For example, you could cut out a big round "washer" to sit around each fixing (placed in between the panel and door of course so not visible), to try and isolate the vibration ?

Best of luck and do let us know if you solve it.

Just to confirm, do you mean on the clips connecting the door? It sounds like it’s very much coming from the where the handle is, which is quite far from any of the the retaining clips. Sorry if I’ve misunderstood!

 

[Fastaf]

I’d say it very much sounds like 2 parts vibrating together around where the mid speaker is

 

[KM69MZX]

Very interested in this post as I have the same problem.

From the description above, the problem is only when the panel is fixed to the door. Don't know how many fixings there are, but is there enough space to get some sound deadening around each fixing point ?

For example, you could cut out a big round "washer" to sit around each fixing (placed in between the panel and door of course so not visible), to try and isolate the vibration ?

Best of luck and do let us know if you solve it.

Just to confirm, do you mean on the clips connecting the door? It sounds like it’s very much coming from the where the handle is, which is quite far from any of the the retaining clips. Sorry if I’ve misunderstood!

No Fastaf, i think it's me that misunderstood. I've not removed a door panel from my F-Type yet, and assumed there might be a couple of screw fixings - for example, where the door arm rest attaches. If there's no screw fixings, then my suggestion won't apply.

If fixing the panel to the door is totally dependent on spring clips etc, this would probably be the cause of the vibration in the first place.

You could try WhoKnows' idea to make some wedges between panel and door to take out the vibration. Can see it getting a bit fiddly.

 

[Fastaf]

Thank you for all of your help folks!

I did a lot more snooping today. I thought I’d give it a final go before giving up, my door panel had come gone on and come off about 10 times and felt like it needed some peace.

After a lot of investigation, I cornered the issue to the window switches. They rattled like crazy, and when I pressed down on it, the rattle stopped.

I removed the panel again, and there are about 10 T20 sockets that hold the handle/handrest and window switches to the door card. Removing these allowed me to take off the leather part of the handle, and gave me access to the window switches.

After removing the switch and unplugging the cable, I realised the entire thing was quite rattly. The outside housing rattled alot against the switches and electronics inside. I took off the housing, gave it all a clean, and put felt tape inside, to ensure a really tight fit.

There was also a little broken plastic tab in the middle of the housing that had to be removed. That could well have been the biggest cause.

Either way, added some extra sound proofing here and there, and when I put it together, it was gone! Finally.

A top tip for anyone attempting this, you can grab felt tape, sound deadening mats, and some trim tools including clip removers and the trim pliers quite cheaply on Temu and aliexpress. Highly recommended to do this kind of thing.

 

[WhoKnows]

Glad you sorted it, and with a clear explanation for others as well

 

[Fastaf]

Glad you sorted it, and with a clear explanation for others as well

Appreciate all the help as well! Thank you

 

[KM69MZX]

Well done tracking it down and sorting it