FIX for vibrating speaker sound (Charlie Brown Adult Sound)

[EndiSky]

Are you getting a vibrating sound from the area of your left knee? It is NOT the speaker!

There are 2 plugs that have a loose connection and vibrate on certain frequencies. This, for me at least, happens when the stereo is playing talk radio/ podcasts with a deep voice.

There are multiple fixes out there spread across quite a few threads, but this worked wonders for me and only took about 5 minutes (including taking pictures!)

Step 1: Identify the problem

The "Charlie Brown Adult Voice" issue that I and many others experience may be what you have, it many not be. Here is an easy way to check.

Download a free Sonic Frequency Generator app for your phone. The one that I used is called "Sonic Sound Wave Generator with all Tones" from the Android app store. There are many out there available for both Apple and Android, its up to you.

Connect the phone to your however you normally would, bluetooth, usb, 3.5mm jack, whatever.

Have the app play a tone of around 145hz, doesn't need to be exact, just close.

Before taking anything apart on your dash, stick your head under the steering wheel area (probably not while driving!) and listen for intense vibration, NOT the tone, but vibration... you'll know, trust me!

If you've got the buzz, move on to Step 2, if you don't, go drive through some mud!

Step 2: Locate the culprit

Beneath the steering wheel, there is a panel that is about 18"x18". It is held on by 6 clips and is removed by pulling on the area of each clip until it pops off. See below for clip locations:

Once this panel is removed, you'll want to look UNDER the dash in the general area behind the yellow squares in the next photo:

Underneath you will see 2 plugs, each with one bundle of wires coming out of it, these plugs are where the vibration is coming from!
Retest with your sound app to be sure. Play the 145hz sound through your stereo and see if poking and prodding this set of plugs stops the vibration.

Here is a closeup of the plugs you'll be messin' with:

Step 3: Fix it!

Others have used epoxy to secure the plug better, some have stuffed business cards in between the plugs and the housing, I chose to go with my handy dandy zip ties.

Placing a zip tie around the wires and the metal bar underneath places enough tension on the plug to keep it from vibrating. See the above pictures or the one below, please note that the wire bundles are NOT yellow! I've just colored them for you to know the AREA to look for 'em!

Step 4: Wrap it up

Make sure that you're issue is solved, and CUT THE END OF THE ZIP TIE OFF! Close everything up and have a beer, you deserve it!

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[Crusifix]

Took mine to dealer...Dealer fixed it under warranty. There is a TSB concerning the issue.

 

[MDH4PennState]

Are you getting a vibrating sound from the area of your left knee? It is NOT the speaker!

There are 2 plugs that have a loose connection and vibrate on certain frequencies. This, for me at least, happens when the stereo is playing talk radio/ podcasts with a deep voice.

There are multiple fixes out there spread across quite a few threads, but this worked wonders for me and only took about 5 minutes (including taking pictures!)

Step 1: Identify the problem

The "Charlie Brown Adult Voice" issue that I and many others experience may be what you have, it many not be. Here is an easy way to check.

Download a free Sonic Frequency Generator app for your phone. The one that I used is called "Sonic Sound Wave Generator with all Tones" from the Android app store. There are many out there available for both Apple and Android, its up to you.

Connect the phone to your however you normally would, bluetooth, usb, 3.5mm jack, whatever.

Have the app play a tone of around 145hz, doesn't need to be exact, just close.

Before taking anything apart on your dash, stick your head under the steering wheel area (probably not while driving!) and listen for intense vibration, NOT the tone, but vibration... you'll know, trust me!

If you've got the buzz, move on to Step 2, if you don't, go drive through some mud!

Step 2: Locate the culprit

Beneath the steering wheel, there is a panel that is about 18"x18". It is held on by 6 clips and is removed by pulling on the area of each clip until it pops off. See below for clip locations:

Once this panel is removed, you'll want to look UNDER the dash in the general area behind the yellow squares in the next photo:

Underneath you will see 2 plugs, each with one bundle of wires coming out of it, these plugs are where the vibration is coming from!
Retest with your sound app to be sure. Play the 145hz sound through your stereo and see if poking and prodding this set of plugs stops the vibration.

Here is a closeup of the plugs you'll be messin' with:

Step 3: Fix it!

Others have used epoxy to secure the plug better, some have stuffed business cards in between the plugs and the housing, I chose to go with my handy dandy zip ties.

Placing a zip tie around the wires and the metal bar underneath places enough tension on the plug to keep it from vibrating. See the above pictures or the one below, please note that the wire bundles are NOT yellow! I've just colored them for you to know the AREA to look for 'em!

Step 4: Wrap it up

Make sure that you're issue is solved, and CUT THE END OF THE ZIP TIE OFF! Close everything up and have a beer, you deserve it!

I too had my issue addressed by the dealership as noted in my post here and it solved the problem. I would refrain from the use of zip-ties on wiring harnesses. Doing this causes an unnecessary stress point and friction on the harness leading to potential failure. True, the wires in the harness may never break but for those who are hard on their offroading should think otherwise.

My statement is based on my professional experience as a former Mil-Spec employee at Grumman Electronics who worked on countless Military aviation electronic harnesses and electronic assemblies. A zip-tie approach like this would not be accepted by Mil-Spec inspectors.

 

[Bilymac]

I’m starting to hear this now. For those that went the dealer route, what was their fix?

 

[USMCBK1]

Also have this issue.. anyone else have luck with the dealership fixing it?

 

[Crusifix]

They replaced my whole speaker assembly and seals. It works like it should now.

 

[JeepCares]

I’m starting to hear this now. For those that went the dealer route, what was their fix?

Also have this issue.. anyone else have luck with the dealership fixing it?

Hi Billymac and USMCBK1,
If you need any assistance while working with your dealers, please feel free to send us a PM. We would be happy to connect you with a Case Specialist.
Alex
JeepCares

 

[HaleJL]

My sound was coming from the module mount on the back of the speaker housing. It has three screws that hold it on. The single screw on the back side that you cant get to was loose. I loosened up the two screws that are accessible and stuffed some foam tape in between the speaker housing and the mount. When I tightened the screws back up the noise was gone.

 

[JohnT]

My sound was coming from the module mount on the back of the speaker housing. It has three screws that hold it on. The single screw on the back side that you cant get to was loose. I loosened up the two screws that are accessible and stuffed some foam tape in between the speaker housing and the mount. When I tightened the screws back up the noise was gone.

my 2020 JL has the vibe coming from passenger side under-dash speaker - probably that same issue. Very annoying for having paid for an upgraded stereo and have to listen to that. I was going to wait until the first service visit, but I can picture 10 more rattles afterwards... maybe will look into it myself.

 

[brianhuddleston]

There are 2 plugs that have a loose connection and vibrate on certain frequencies. This, for me at least, happens when the stereo is playing talk radio/ podcasts with a deep voice.

Until I stumbled on this thread, I was convinced that I had a blown speaker in my new to me Jeep! I lowered the base, and faded the sound to the back and it still buzzed when listening to soccer talk radio. It seems that the frequency on that channel is perfect to cause the vibration. I had been planning to take the Jeep in for warranty service, but I followed your instructions precisely and the vibration was eliminated! I still plan on taking it in for a warranty fix per the TSB, but I really happy to find your post. Thanks!

 

[Frontal]

Very grateful for the information in this thread, I felt that I was going slightly crazy with the buzzing sound that came from talk radio.
It was strange that the most buzzing came from the voices of older women, who have more of a bass note when they speak.
The buzzing had started when I had installed the Tazer, and part of the setup requires removing the plugs from the security gateway. This had obviously allowed the module to resonate.

 

[MJHuber]

Took mine to dealer...Dealer fixed it under warranty. There is a TSB concerning the issue.

Do you happen to know what the TSB number is?

 

[JohnT]

I’m starting to hear this now. For those that went the dealer route, what was their fix?

Has the buzzing noise (very obviously something loose and rattling) on the passenger side. I took it in to one dealer - said they couldn't hear anything and the mechanic was conveniently on lunch when I picked it up, so I took it back to the dealer I purchased it from on the next oil change... solution - they replaced the whole speaker, no more buzz (except when I load my groceries in on top of my subwoofer lol... who knew you could make bacon sing).

 

[Crusifix]

Do you happen to know what the TSB number is?

No, sorry. And the buzzing came back about 1 week ago. So, I said screw it and just swapped both housings and speakers for these kicker 6.5, 2-way units. Later I will add an amp to them. But for now, at least the buzzing is permanently gone.

 

[Toxiclows]

I too had my issue addressed by the dealership as noted in my post here and it solved the problem. I would refrain from the use of zip-ties on wiring harnesses. Doing this causes an unnecessary stress point and friction on the harness leading to potential failure. True, the wires in the harness may never break but for those who are hard on their offroading should think otherwise.

My statement is based on my professional experience as a former Mil-Spec employee at Grumman Electronics who worked on countless Military aviation electronic harnesses and electronic assemblies. A zip-tie approach like this would not be accepted by Mil-Spec inspectors.

nor would using epoxy to permanently secure the harness to the module. rendering the. harness useless if a module replacement
was ever required

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