Exhaust Drone

[Canadian 392]

Yeah, Canadian 392 I personally think you have a point. How else can it be explained that some 392 models have the drone and some do not? There are many testimonials to be found similar to these: https://share.cleanshot.com/Gd2S4P3p, https://share.cleanshot.com/nf4mj0BZ.

For some, the solution has been to properly "feed" the ANC (by connecting the hardtop wiring): https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/reverb-from-sub-resolved.93193/

Some others go at great lengths to disconnect the audio or change the exhaust (which apparently improves the situation but is still a lottery and quite subjective it seems). It's quite interesting and entertaining (laughing through tears) to read what others have been trying out to remove the drone: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/droning-is-actually-the-sub-reverbing-update.103794/

There are some that suggest a particular engineering issue (lack of grounding somewhere on the electric installation which confuses the ANC). Some were suggesting that the exhaust pipes touch other elements of the undercarriage.

The weird thing is that none of YT vids (posted by amateur car reviewers and car journalists alike) never mention the drone. Is it just that there is a bunch of us 392 owners that are extremely unlucky?

If the issue is so infrequent, it's less surprising that local dealerships have no idea how to deal with it or that they simply deny it even exists. I would count on Jeep Corporate who hopefully are as amazing at customer support/engineering as they are at marketing (the H.Ford commercial is on another level). Brands must do recalls on safety issues of their vehicles. Some (top) brands, address issues because they want to. Which is it for Jeep?

I have messaged Jeep Cares and have asked them to contribute to this discussion. Something needs to be done by Jeep corporate, on a public level, for all affected customers to benefit from.

Screen shot of my message to Jeep Cares is attached.

 

[MaLuco]

I have messaged Jeep Cares and have asked them to contribute to this discussion. Something needs to be done by Jeep corporate, on a public level, for all affected customers to benefit from.

Screen shot of my message to Jeep Cares is attached.

Amazing. If we don't try, we'll never know. I pinged John on LInkedIn - let's see..

 

[Canadian 392]

Amazing. If we don't try, we'll never know. I pinged John on LInkedIn - let's see..

Terrific!
Let's hope Jeep provides us the Support we require!

 

[Winston]

Thanks to those who pinged Jeep support. I’ve just come to deal with it and fortunately the wife doesn’t mind it but having to constantly keep it out of the resonant zone on road trips has its annoyance. I have a ‘24 MY with AWE Switchpath exhaust.

 

[Brutus 392]

Thanks to those who pinged Jeep support. I’ve just come to deal with it and fortunately the wife doesn’t mind it but having to constantly keep it out of the resonant zone on road trips has its annoyance. I have a ‘24 MY with AWE Switchpath exhaust.

Agree , also 24 stock exhaust.

 

[Ernesto]

So I’m in the UK and recently bought a 24 392 Canadian Spec car. I’ve driven 1000 miles thus far. The more I drive the car the more I enjoy it. However, I 100% agree about the resonance/drone problem. With the sky roof open and exhaust in quiet mode it’s fine. I hear a slight drone but others have never commented. With exhaust in loud mode it’s extremely annoying. It’s definitely got a 4 cylinder mode component. But also an 8 cylinder mode component which is much more noticeable when in manual mode. Auto shifts the gears quickly so the drone is more short lived. I have zero support here in the UK so I’m very interested in this ongoing discussion. My solution is not ever to drive in loud mode which is disappointing. I bought the car based on a 22 pre face lift car. This had no issues at all. Anyway, as one of maybe 3 UK 24 model year 392s I’m counting on my North American colleagues to find the cause……thanks in advance

 

[Canadian 392]

So I’m in the UK and recently bought a 24 392 Canadian Spec car. I’ve driven 1000 miles thus far. The more I drive the car the more I enjoy it. However, I 100% agree about the resonance/drone problem. With the sky roof open and exhaust in quiet mode it’s fine. I hear a slight drone but others have never commented. With exhaust in loud mode it’s extremely annoying. It’s definitely got a 4 cylinder mode component. But also an 8 cylinder mode component which is much more noticeable when in manual mode. Auto shifts the gears quickly so the drone is more short lived. I have zero support here in the UK so I’m very interested in this ongoing discussion. My solution is not ever to drive in loud mode which is disappointing. I bought the car based on a 22 pre face lift car. This had no issues at all. Anyway, as one of maybe 3 UK 24 model year 392s I’m counting on my North American colleagues to find the cause……thanks in advance

Thanks for sharing.
Let's hope Jeep does the Right Thing and help out its customers!

 

[MaLuco]

A quick update on the NoLimitz JL device with the newest firmware. Long story short:
- it keeps the drone to a minimum through avoiding the problematic RPM range (about 1.5-2.2k in my case). The engine is kept in gear a bit longer (above 2.5k RMP) or dropping gears faster (to below 1.5k) depending on the situation. It's nowhere near a root cause solution but improved my experience by 60-70%. I am driving with performance exhaust on again (with my Wife in the Jeep
- on top, the issue of all or nothing with NoLimitz is now gone as you can choose to keep each functionality on or off separately. MDS off + droning gone 60% of the time vs stock + stock torque control for safety and ride control. Love it.

 

[Winston]

A quick update on the NoLimitz JL device with the newest firmware. Long story short:
- it keeps the drone to a minimum through avoiding the problematic RPM range (about 1.5-2.2k in my case). The engine is kept in gear a bit longer (above 2.5k RMP) or dropping gears faster (to below 1.5k) depending on the situation. It's nowhere near a root cause solution but improved my experience by 60-70%. I am driving with performance exhaust on again (with my Wife in the Jeep
- on top, the issue of all or nothing with NoLimitz is now gone as you can choose to keep each functionality on or off separately. MDS off + droning gone 60% of the time vs stock + stock torque control for safety and ride control. Love it.

Thanks for updated. With the new software, are you specifically using anything that is contributing to reduced drone? Running the "sport" mode, etc?

 

[MaLuco]

Thanks for updated. With the new software, are you specifically using anything that is contributing to reduced drone? Running the "sport" mode, etc?

The answer is no. The only specific thing I have not tested is what "MDS on" does to the drone. A limited use case, anyway, I believe.

With all the new software functions set to stock and only the MDS in a non-stock (off) position, the drone is reduced. The drone reduction is the same no matter which functions other than MDS I am switching on or off.

 

[Winston]

The answer is no. The only specific thing I have not tested is what "MDS on" does to the drone. A limited use case, anyway, I believe.

With all the new software functions set to stock and only the MDS in a non-stock (off) position, the drone is reduced. The drone reduction is the same no matter which functions other than MDS I am switching on or off.

Awesome, thank you. Prior to the NoLimitz, MDS was very noticeable to me when it kicked on and it was much more resonant. To some it doesn't seem to be noticeable but that can be chalked up to perception, hearing, and whatever this drone issue is caused by.

 

[BarneyM]

Is this Beta 24.0.6? Firmware updated before with no effect - now I know why. Menu controls FTW! (BTW it's crazy how much opportunity ZAutomotive have when it comes to their product communication; another example: did you see anywhere on their official website that you can actually have both Tazer and NoLimitz installed both, at the same time on the same vehicle?)

The update they sent me is 24.1.5
In the email with the update it states it's compatible with Tazer and IGLA.

 

[Wizza]

I took a chance and bought the inline t harness plug thinking that would mitigate the artificial drone sound but it did nothing to change it

 

[Canadian 392]

I took a chance and bought the inline t harness plug thinking that would mitigate the artificial drone sound but it did nothing to change it

Same here. The ANC harness failed to do anything for my drone.

I even disconnected the 4 ANC mics, disconnected the sub woofer, and also pulled the fuse for the stereo, and the drone was still there. So frustrating.

 

[AUSTX]

Have those of you with this problem double checked all the trim panels are properly seated? They can add significant resonance.

Also, has anyone installed sound resonance/deadening products (e.g. CLD, sound absorber/decoupler/barrier) with any improvement?

Just some thoughts.

 

[Canadian 392]

Have those of you with this problem double checked all the trim panels are properly seated? They can add significant resonance.

Also, has anyone installed sound resonance/deadening products (e.g. CLD, sound absorber/decoupler/barrier) with any improvement?

Just some thoughts.

Thanks for the suggestions. They are very good.

All trim pieces are nicely secured. I have applied both Dynamat and Dynapad, with no drone improvement . These very low frequencies (measured around 47 Hz) require a lot of mass to block the wave/energy transmission from resonating.

The Dynamat and Dynapad did cut down on some road noise and helps to keep the interior better climate controlled, as does the Hot Head Liner for the SOT.

 

[JeepCares]

Hello, everyone! If you are currently experiencing this concern and would like our assistance, please do not hesitate to send us a private message.

Yenori
Jeep Cares

 

[Canadian 392]

Hello, everyone! If you are currently experiencing this concern and would like our assistance, please do not hesitate to send us a private message.

Yenori
Jeep Cares

Hi Yenori,

Thank you for your reply.

We are asking for help for this drone problem.
My dealership diagnosed the problem as drone which is "loud and intolerable" on the work order by the shop foreman.

Jeep has ignored the problem, saying to my Canadian Customer Care Representative that the Jeep was designed to be this way which the dealership foreman obviously disagrees with. If this was the case, then ALL 392 Wranglers would have this problem, but as you can read in the posts, not every Jeep is affected.

Nothing has been done at the Dealership despite multiple visits. My foreman explained to me that he requires a solution from Jeep and that they cannot just "throw parts" at the problem as those costs may not be covered under warranty.

I am in Canada, and Jeep Cares (Customer Service) Canada has done nothing to address the problem, let alone have an engineer, at my request, take only a 2 min test drive at the dealership to confirm there is something seriously wrong with my Jeep (and other affected).

I myself, and the other owners with the affected vehicles are asking for Jeep's help on this problem. Even though I am in Canada, this is a problem affecting US and Canadian vehicles (see posts above), and I believe Jeep should help us out, whether we are in Canada or the USA. This would involve a proper solution which should be universal for affected Jeeps in Canada and the USA, and Elsewhere.

I have emailed Jeep Cares privately as you have suggested via the forum, and was told that since I am a Canadian Customer, your division cannot help me. I have been directed to Customer Service in Canada, and as you have read in the paragraphs above, Nothing is being done. Essentially, Customer Service in Canada denies there is a problem (without assessing the vehicle in-person), even though the Shop Foreman says there is a big problem. I can post the Foreman's Work Order as I have a copy if you need me to post it.

Customer Service advised me the only option is to sell it and move on.

I trust you can imagine how frustrating this is.

We as a group are just asking for a solution for the affected Wrangler 392s.

 

[Winston]

Hello, everyone! If you are currently experiencing this concern and would like our assistance, please do not hesitate to send us a private message.

Yenori
Jeep Cares

If you want to send someone from Jeep Cares out to Seattle, WA, I’ll gladly let them drive my Jeep for themselves to experience the drone. Afterwards, I’ll buy us lunch.

 

[Canadian 392]

Amazing. If we don't try, we'll never know. I pinged John on LInkedIn - let's see..

Hi MaLuco,
Wondering if John at Jeep has replied to your email from last week.
Please let us know.
Thanks!