91 Sound System: Speaker Rattles, Vibrations, Or Audio Interference (GROUP 91, NO. 24-84)

WARNING: This page is about the A4 Quattro Premium, 2.0L Eng VIN A, which is a different variant/trim than selected.

Publication date: 2024-11-22
Reference number: GROUP 91, NO. 24-84
Supersedes refnos: 2018187, 2018187/1, 2018187/10, 2018187/11, 2018187/12, 2018187/13, 2018187/14, 2018187/15, 2018187/16, 2018187/17, 2018187/2, 2018187/3, 2018187/4, 2018187/5, 2018187/6, 2018187/7, 2018187/8, 2018187/9, GROUP 91, NO. 08-122, GROUP 91, NO. 08-27, GROUP 91, NO. 09-40, GROUP 91, NO. 09-59, GROUP 91, NO. 10-55, GROUP 91, NO. 11-20, GROUP 91, NO. 13-02, GROUP 91, NO. 14-50, GROUP 91, NO. 15-98, GROUP 91, NO. 18-92, GROUP 91, NO. 20-39, GROUP 91, NO. 21-34, GROUP 91, NO. 23-94, GROUP 91, NO. 24-16, GROUP 91, NO. 24-25, GROUP 91, NO. 24-32

91 SOUND SYSTEM: SPEAKER RATTLES, VIBRATIONS, OR AUDIO INTERFERENCE

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

Reference Number(s): GROUP 91, NO. 24-84 (2018187/17), Date of Issue: November 22, 2024

AUDI:	2008-2025 All Audi Vehicles
GROUP:	91 - Radio, Telephone, Board Computer, Multi-Function Indicator (MFI)

Superceded Bulletin(s): GROUP 91, NO. 24-32, Date of Issue: July 19, 2024

SERVICE INFORMATION

91 24 84 2018187/17 November 22, 2024. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 91 number 24-32 dated July 19, 2024, for reasons listed below.

APPLICABLE MODELS AND YEARS

Model(s)	Year	VIN Range	Vehicle-Specific Equipment
All Audi Vehicles	2008 - 2025	All	Not Applicable

CONDITION

REVISION HISTORY

Revision	Date	Purpose
17		Revised Service (updated formatting)
16	07/19/2024	Revised Service (minor updates to service procedure)
15	06/28/2024	Revised header (added new customer codes)

Customer states:

Interference noise, such as crackling, creaking, clattering, droning, or similar can be heard coming from the door, dash panel, or rear shelf when listening to music, making a phone call, or playing other media.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Parts of the speakers (such as the brackets, cables, or covers) or parts of the interior fittings (such as door covers, rear shelf, facings, or covers) can vibrate at certain frequencies, causing noises.

For vehicle types 8T, 8K from model years 2008 - 2012, and for 8F models 2010 - 2012 please also refer to TSB 2022773.

PRODUCTION SOLUTION

Constant improvements.

SERVICE

To successfully resolve a customer complaint that is possibly related to a speaker, it is important to first make sure that the complaint is caused by that speaker.

CAUTION: If the customer's individual sound settings are different from the default settings, the complaint should still be firstly assessed with the default sound settings.

If the customer uses individual tone settings, please reset them to their default value.

NOTE: It is not always possible to localize the exact source of the noise directly. Vehicle components can transmit noises from other areas into the passenger compartment, which can make it difficult to localize the source of a noise correctly. Please always check around the speakers, as well as the speakers themselves.

This applies to complaints regarding noises while on a phone call, in particular.

The steps below must be performed in the specified order. The customer complaint must be able to be reproduced repeatedly.

When a complaint is made , please work through steps a, b, or c, depending on the fitting location, and reassess the complaint. You can also use a noise analysis kit, which contains special lubricants, in order to reduce interior noise.
1. Door speakers: Remove all objects from the door storage compartments.
2. Dash speakers: Empty the glove box completely and remove any other loose items from any area of the dash panel.
3. Hat-shelf speakers: Check whether the hat-shelf itself may be causing the complaint. Remove any loose items from any area around the hat-shelf.
Reassess the complaint , is it still possible to reproduce the customer complaint? Check whether a speaker cover is causing the noise. Does the noise disappear if pressure is applied to the speaker cover with your hand?
1. If yes:
  Remove the speaker cover and try to reproduce the claim again.
  
  If the complaint no longer occurs, please reinstall the speaker cover in the correct position. If necessary, please also use suitable measures to quiet the speaker cover (e.g., felt, etc.). If the speaker cover is damaged, it must be replaced.
  
  Claim the labor using the service number of the speaker cover as the casual part. Please note that claims for speaker covers that are replaced without being damaged may be denied.
2. If the complaint has not been resolved, continue with step 3.
Check that all bolts on the affected speaker are tightened correctly.
1. Try to tighten every bolt on the speaker.
2. If any bolts can be tightened, check whether the complaint has been resolved after the bolts have been tightened.
  Claim the labor using the service number of the loudspeaker and specify damage type SA018 "loose".
3. If the complaint has not been resolved, continue with step 4.
Check the speaker itself for foreign bodies. Remove any foreign bodies.
AFTER checking that the loudspeaker is correctly seated in step 3, remove the loudspeaker, and carry out another sound test. When doing so, the loudspeaker magnet should be held by hand from underneath with the membrane facing upwards.
1. Check the speaker for any visible damage, e.g., on the speaker membrane or the foam bead (if applicable).
2. Check the speaker under the conditions described by the customer.
3. If no unexpected noise can be heard, the speaker must not be replaced. Continue with step 6.
4. If the noise is still distinctly present with the speaker removed and held in your hand, continue with step 8. In this case, you can skip step 6 and 7.
The passenger compartment should be checked for loose bolts, trim, fluttering labels (Figure 1), or wires and any other (trim) components which could vibrate together with resonances in the vehicle.
Secure or apply backing or felt to any loose parts or replace them if necessary.

For vehicle types 8T, 8K from model years 2008 - 2012, and for 8F models 2010 - 2012 please also refer to TSB 2022773.

Claims should quote the service number of the part causing damage and not the loudspeaker.
If the complaint cannot be reproduced with the loudspeaker removed, please reinstall the loudspeaker after performing step 5, check that it is seated correctly, centrally, and flush and check whether the complaint still exists with the loudspeaker installed.
It is possible that the loudspeaker was installed under tension that was released during removal of the speaker, causing the customer's complaint.

If the complaint has not been resolved, continue with step 8.
Please swap the loudspeaker on the right with the opposite loudspeaker on the left. Check whether the complaint moves location with the loudspeaker.
1. If the complaint is now on the other side, the loudspeaker must be replaced.
  Always perform step 6 before installing a new loudspeaker in order to avoid a repeat repair.
2. If the complaint did not move location with the loudspeaker and you have worked through this list completely, please continue the search at your own discretion in the area of the amplifier.

When doing so, check for loose cables/bent or widened pins/damp areas.

Please refer to other applicable TSBs as necessary.

WARRANTY

CAUTION: Parts must not be replaced without a good reason as stated in this TSB. Such claims will be debited.

When claiming labor to eliminate rattling noises on trim parts under warranty, the respective service number of the trim piece must be used, and the damage type must be appropriate for the location in conjunction with the cause of the complaint.

Examples for service numbers are:

5811 - Door handle
5817 - Door lock
5819 - Cable
5867 - Lock cylinder
7018 - Dash panel

7022 - Dash panel cover
7058 - Trim strip for dash panel
7014 - Loudspeaker cover
9732 - Wiring harness for door
9733 - Wiring harness for central locking system
9740 - Wiring harness for steering column
9774 - Wiring harness for dash panel
7059 - Door trim (front)
7073 - Door trim (rear)
6815 - Glove box
7030 - Luggage compartment cover

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2018187) are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with your Parts Department and/or ETKA for the latest information and parts bulletins. Please check the Repair Manual for fasteners, bolts, nuts, and screws that require replacement during the repair.

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