DIY: GLI Sound Aktor Disable

[clutchrider]

This is a quick how-to on disabling that sound "aktor" that gives your car fake sound. I did this because it was causing an incessant rattle while driving.

NOTE: this is not a how-to on removal of the "aktor". It only covers how to disable and stow away the connector cable.

Tools Required
-Tape (duct, electrical, gorilla) the choice is yours, I used Gorilla
-Zip tie
-Two Hands



How-To
1) Pop the hood



2) Locate the edge of the rubber stripping material near the firewall on the passenger side



3) Gently peel it back, it's thick so no worries here. Pull back to about halfway across




4) Pry the plastic rain tray cover up and locate the sound "aktor" It looks like a car horn.




5) The clip is on the left, you will need to pull back the gray tab picture below. It is on the backside and a little tricky to get, be patient and once it clicks by pulling it away from the "aktor", you can easily pull the connector off



6) Grab the tape and cover up the connector. I did a quick wrap, nothing crazy. Just want to keep weather out.



7) I zip tied the connector to the wrapped cord that is up against the edge of the rain tray. simple and effective and keeps it out of the way, especially from draining water.



8) Replace the rubber stripping, ensure that the stripping is covering both the metal and the plastic tray all the way across to the end.



That's it! Now enjoy the sound of spooling turbo without faux WRX sounds invading your cabin.


Added 10/4/2012:
Videos of the car with the aktor and then aktor disabled.

This first video is when the aktor was plugged in and is a 2nd - 3rd gear run



This is the aktor disabled with the windows down. Start off 1 through 2.



Next is the aktor disabled with the windows up. Start off 1 through 2.



And finally aktor disabled with the windows closed. It essentially covers 3-6 on the highway, wind noise takes over a bit towards the end

[Charlie84]

Thanks! How different does it sound? What do you prefer and why?

And has anyone else noticed that the GLI sounds a bit different than the GTI? I have to assume that this is due to either different Soundakter or exhaust tuning. Weird!

[mr. history]

In for sound clips

[dawookiee15]

Oooh interesting, I had no idea that it would be that easy to do. Always wished for more turbo noise in this car. I'd love to hear a sound clip...

[clutchrider]

Thanks! How different does it sound? What do you prefer and why?

And has anyone else noticed that the GLI sounds a bit different than the GTI? I have to assume that this is due to either different Soundakter or exhaust tuning. Weird!

In for sound clips

It's quiet but in a good way. The sound level in the car has dropped noticeably. You can carry a conversation or listen to the radio with ease. All you get with the windows closed is a quiet engine note and a whisper of turbo.

Windows down, you can hear the turbo hiss outside the car along with the engine as it winds up through the range. Like I said before in another post. You can hear the engine so much better and it is so much more in tune with where the tach is that I have been driving the car differently.

I cannot speak for the GTI, I will post some videos tomorrow windows up and down winding through the gears. Don't expect too much quality since I have an iphone4 but I'll do my best and load them here tomorrow via my youtube account.

[designvs]

Thank you for posting this how-to. It's very helpful!

[kDubya_SE]

Here's a before and after video that someone else had posted on youtube.

For convenience:

BEFORE

AFTER

[Charlie84]

Here's a before and after video that someone else had posted on youtube.

For convenience:

BEFORE

AFTER

In comparison, to me the first one (with soundaktor) sounds artificially burly. The second one sounds more like I expect a four-banger to sound. Anyone agree/disagree?

Also, has anyone else noticed a difference in engine note between the GLI and GTI? Or is it just me?

[GLI-Jeff]

I did this the first night I had me GLI, but I didnt wrap the connector as you suggested. I will have to go back and wrap it now, makes perfect sense.

Great write up since it appears the GLI has the Soundaktor in a different location then the GTI.

[kDubya_SE]

In comparison, to me the first one (with soundaktor) sounds artificially burly. The second one sounds more like I expect a four-banger to sound. Anyone agree/disagree?

Also, has anyone else noticed a difference in engine note between the GLI and GTI? Or is it just me?

Almost seems like they were just trying to make it sound better than the 2.5

[clutchrider]

See videos in the DIY! No footage but the sound is what you are looking for anyways. I tossed up an older one I found of the car going 2-3 when the aktor was plugged in.

[designvs]

Just curious, was the purpose of this "aktor" to amplify the sound of the engine or does it play a prerecorded track? Still cheasy and worth disabling. But am curious as to what VW was thinking with this.

[Charlie84]

Just curious, was the purpose of this "aktor" to amplify the sound of the engine or does it play a prerecorded track? Still cheasy and worth disabling. But am curious as to what VW was thinking with this.

It's neither an amplification nor a prerecorded track. As I understand, it's more like a solenoid that vibrates the firewall sheetmetal it's bolted to at frequencies corresponding to engine RPM.

[16VSerenity]

It's neither an amplification nor a prerecorded track. As I understand, it's more like a solenoid that vibrates the firewall sheetmetal it's bolted to at frequencies corresponding to engine RPM.

Yep, that is right. I just wired up an "on/off" switch for this today, so I can change back and forth at ease. Of course, while trimming a section of rubber trim I drove a razor blade/box cutter deep into my left index finger, requiring a trip to the ER......I would avoid doing that if you can...

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2

[Charlie84]

Yep, that is right. I just wired up an "on/off" switch for this today, so I can change back and forth at ease. Of course, while trimming a section of rubber trim I drove a razor blade/box cutter deep into my left index finger, requiring a trip to the ER......I would avoid doing that if you can...

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2

Now THAT is a good idea. The switch, I mean. Not the part about slicing your finger. That's not so good.

[beanpoppa]

Thinking about doing this. I had a weird experience a couple of weeks ago that I think was do to a malfunction in the sound aktor function. I was pulling away from a stop, and had the audible sensation that the engine was racing, like my clutch was slipping, but my RPM's were low, where they should be. It continued until I slowed to a stop, and then it was gone.

[clutchrider]

Thinking about doing this. I had a weird experience a couple of weeks ago that I think was do to a malfunction in the sound aktor function. I was pulling away from a stop, and had the audible sensation that the engine was racing, like my clutch was slipping, but my RPM's were low, where they should be. It continued until I slowed to a stop, and then it was gone.

I think sometimes the aktor gets confused and plays games with itself. It was never quite right on my car and always sounded faster than I was actually travelling which played tricks with my mind as I read the tach and realized where I was in the range.

And reading about how it vibrates the firewall just seems like something that over time is not a good thing.

[KevinFACE]

That's interesting as mine is COMPLETELY different looking than yours.

Not only is the cable different, mine was held on only by sliding key hole looking things.

Mine had a very wide rectangular plug on it.

[morro]

That's interesting as mine is COMPLETELY different looking than yours.

Not only is the cable different, mine was held on only by sliding key hole looking things.

Mine had a very wide rectangular plug on it.

SO DID MINE. I unplugged it and my alarm stopped chirping too when I locked the doors. Weird, its exactly in the same place but looks like its all stainless. Does not look anything like the plastic black thing above. Re-connected and alarm chirps now.

[beanpoppa]

SO DID MINE. I unplugged it and my alarm stopped chirping too when I locked the doors. Weird, its exactly in the same place but looks like its all stainless. Does not look anything like the plastic black thing above. Re-connected and alarm chirps now.

Ummm.. chirp? Your alarm chirps? My alarm honks the horn when I lock the doors! (and honks the horn when the door is opened without the key) Was there a mid-year change on the alarm system in the GLI?

[morro]

Ummm.. chirp? Your alarm chirps? My alarm honks the horn when I lock the doors! (and honks the horn when the door is opened without the key) Was there a mid-year change on the alarm system in the GLI?

It honks but just really quick...so I said chirp.

[beanpoppa]

It honks but just really quick...so I said chirp.

Oh... gotcha. I was thinking that maybe they switched to the Audi style alarm. I hate the honk, so I disabled mine. I like the chirp much better.

[lqrv1675]

SO DID MINE. I unplugged it and my alarm stopped chirping too when I locked the doors. Weird, its exactly in the same place but looks like its all stainless. Does not look anything like the plastic black thing above. Re-connected and alarm chirps now.

Disconected mine today.
Saw what you were refurring to.
What that is, is the beep alarm for the locking system.
On the GLI the thing you want is just behind the shiny metal thing.
GTI might be different place.

[JAndre18]

Thanks for the DIY worked out great! That grey tab was a pain though!

[dnchattan]

I hadn't realized that this was there. I could tell something was 'off' in the engine sound, and just couldn't put a finger on it. This certainly explained it, and it sounds WAY better with this thing disabled. Had a chuckle when I saw it was actually an Audi part

Also, my bluetooth has worked terribly (no-one could here me over the phone), and I figured this noise vibrating through the whole cabin might have been the cause of that as well. So far only tried it once since then, but it was definitely better. Will see if it continues to work better, if so- two birds with one stone

[praecurvo]

Not sure how to exactly "pull back" the grey tab.

With my fingernails?

And does it pull back away from the Aktor?

Any info would be most appreciated.

aaron

[dnchattan]

Not sure how to exactly "pull back" the grey tab.

With my fingernails?

And does it pull back away from the Aktor?

Any info would be most appreciated.

aaron

Yeah, I just felt around the back of the plug until I found it, there's a grey tab that slid back from the plug (away from the aktor). Once pulling that, it came right out.

[praecurvo]

Yeah, I just felt around the back of the plug until I found it, there's a grey tab that slid back from the plug (away from the aktor). Once pulling that, it came right out.

Fantastic, Got It! Thank you.

The car sounds much sportier. It seemed that the sound was always making the engine sound laggy, as if the sound Aktor was always trying to catch up. Now it sounds like a CAR! Great mod...Mod.

Aaron

[04andahalf]

Ummmm am I the only one that likes how it sounds stock?? It makes it sound like a grisly little engine not a typical high pitched four banger. To each their own of course but I think that "burly"ness is great!!!

[Coolicarboy]

Ummmm am I the only one that likes how it sounds stock?? It makes it sound like a grisly little engine not a typical high pitched four banger. To each their own of course but I think that "burly"ness is great!!!

I actually agree. The idea of the actor does sound a bit cheesy, but hey, it doesn't sound bad.

[playboy69]

Just did this one my GLI!! it was well worth it!! i feel like now for all the time of racing around that thing was just vibrating my firewall..for no reason..my peddles feel a lot smoother, the power band feels smoother and i could actually hear the turbo spooling up a lot louder.

feeling like one of the reasons vw/audi decided this B.S. was to give there line of cars more problems!! honestly..to make more money in the service department. just feel like my miles just doubled..i dont know..maybe its just me...

any thoughts...?

[KevinFACE]

Just did this one my GLI!! it was well worth it!! i feel like now for all the time of racing around that thing was just vibrating my firewall..for no reason..my peddles feel a lot smoother, the power band feels smoother and i could actually hear the turbo spooling up a lot louder.

feeling like one of the reasons vw/audi decided this B.S. was to give there line of cars more problems!! honestly..to make more money in the service department. just feel like my miles just doubled..i dont know..maybe its just me...

any thoughts...?

I think you need to stop smoking whatever it is you're smoking...

This has no effect on pedals or power band.

It is purely a noise maker. You would make any scientist think they've cured AIDS with a placebo.

[clutchrider]

Did I like the sound of the aktor, yes. But it was not 100% matched to the car and where I was in the powerband. For me I can feel the car a lot better, and by that I mean I can judge and discern where it is without that ridiculous fake noise protruding into the cabin.

I think all the talk about the smoothness, pedal feel, etc. is more like butt-dyno stuff. The car sounds like it should and therefore everything else in turn feels more connected.

I am still glad I disconnected it. Taking some back roads around here during lunch with the leaves and hills allows me to really hear the turbo spool up, love the whoosh!

I will put on an exhaust down the road but that is a few years away.

[playboy69]

I think you need to stop smoking whatever it is you're smoking...

This has no effect on pedals or power band.

It is purely a noise maker. You would make any scientist think they've cured AIDS with a placebo.

hahahah man that's funny! just saying the car feels smoother in general..the peddles match up with motor power band now. a more precise feeling

[Charlie84]

Did I like the sound of the aktor, yes. But it was not 100% matched to the car and where I was in the powerband. For me I can feel the car a lot better, and by that I mean I can judge and discern where it is without that ridiculous fake noise protruding into the cabin.

I think all the talk about the smoothness, pedal feel, etc. is more like butt-dyno stuff. The car sounds like it should and therefore everything else in turn feels more connected.

I am still glad I disconnected it. Taking some back roads around here during lunch with the leaves and hills allows me to really hear the turbo spool up, love the whoosh!

This.

I disconnected my Soundaktor today and came to post my impressions, but you just about said it all. The engine is actually very quiet, but you have a better intuitive/subjective understanding of what it's doing without the Soundaktor muddying the waters. The Soundaktor made the engine seem a lot coarser and more turbo-laggy than it is. It makes less noise, particularly less low-frequency noise, but I'm really glad I did it.