2018 VW GTI SE Ep. 26: Soundaktor - Detailed Removal of the Fake Noisemaker

[@Dcc357]

I got a 2021 MK7.5. I'm in disbelief that I actually don't mind the fake noise. I always thought it was dumb since I heard of it years ago, but I'm too busy focusing on and enjoying the manual transmission and hearing the turbo. I'll keep it as is. It's always in sport mode anyway. Tornado red with Pretoria 18 inch black wheels, leather everything, big touch screen, Audi-like LED head lamps, and a way better interior than some cars that actually cost more. All for less than the average price paid for a new vehicle nowadays.

[@LastHumansGarage]

cheers mate

[@Florida_Boi_333]

I have a manual 2021 mk7.5 also, and I don’t mind it at all. Question, did you change your stock intake at all? Wondering if that adds turbo sounds

[@Extratone]

Just wanted to pop in and express my appreciation for this video. I can't remember from where I found it or how many others I watched from my own KZbin search for Soundaktor help before finding it, but something about it made it the first one to be actually helpful. I have a 2017 GTI S and - to be honest - I assumed what mechanical knowledge I have would be far too outdated to apply. That's the closest explanation I have as to why I put off investigating what it would take to remove the Soundaktor for some 30+ days and nearly 3000 miles of driving. For this, I am deeply pissed with myself. The folks I've talked to in person about their cars have been about as on the fence as what seems to be the general consensus among automotive media + forumgoers, but for the love of gourd, *please* at least give disconnecting the hateful thing a try as soon as you can if you own an automobile with one. My car seems to be relatively high mileage - just passing 90,000 - for its age, which could perhaps explain why the difference in experience was so jarring, but let it be known that *this little mf pumps vibration into the cabin at all gosh darned times*, regardless of what driving mode you're is in. It is nothing less than a *torture device*, and I promise I'm not just being melodramatic.

[@LastHumansGarage]

killer bro

[@GTI_CHHA]

Mark, as you owned so many GTIs, you must have the OBD cable lying around somewhere?! Crank up VCDS and set Soundactor value to 0%. Job done. It's funny, I hated the fake sound as well the first few years, and had it on 0%. But since a couple of months, I decided to set it to (permanent) 100%, and am loving it now!

[@LastHumansGarage]

nope. ive had about 5 vagcoms at least, but i sold them all for a nice return on investment.

[@dlroto]

Dude all you need is the obd11 and in 2 seconds you can turn it off. You could also turn off the stability control stuff, the start stop stuff and a slew of other stuff without getting your hands dirty.

[@LastHumansGarage]

if i had one..

[@LastHumansGarage]

not much, but i have an iphone, not android.

[@dlroto]

LastHumansGarage you can buy a cheap android device and as long as it’s compatible it’ll work. As long as you get Wifi in your garage you can get it to work. I bought a cheap Samsung galaxy tablet to do mine and it’s the only thing I use it for.

[@gamecock2465]

I use a Kindle fire with my OBD11 in my Audi.

[@Houtexstonpreme]

LastHumansGarage flex on them

[@johnzhu5735]

Great videos and very useful! just thought I'd also mention that the very quick switching back and forth from your face to the car that happens often is a bit dizzying.

[@LastHumansGarage]

Good point!

[@daibennett9224]

You are right about the filters,good video man,I got a blocked drain gonna take my cover off tomorrow,this is the only video I could find on this cover being removed,thanks a lot man you give me confidence to do this my self

[@LastHumansGarage]

i think i saw your post on either Facebook or GolfMK7 a couple days ago.

[@FirefighterGreg71]

Thank you. I’ve finally done this on both my Mk7.5’s and it makes a massive difference. Especially given they are both Stage 1tuned and my GTI has the resonantor delete. Only took me less than 5 minutes per car too. 🤙

[@LastHumansGarage]

Right on

[@clubsport9118]

Thank GOD you put that 'kin camera down from time to time...

[@MKI4EVA]

Anyone know the part number for this thing?

[@SpyderMonkey279]

Did anyone else notice he looks like jigsaw from the SAW movies. Side note excellent video for removing soundaktor

[@LastHumansGarage]

thanks, lets play a game.

[@LastHumansGarage]

Initial thoughts on ECO mode? I think it does in fact turn the Soundaktor fully off. As I did not notice quieter after this mod, about the same. And i am always in ECO mode. If i had a vagcom i could test and prove it. some day..

[@kevindiep2222]

LastHumansGarage the same connector on your battery disabled the start stop you get an error on the display but SS gone. Have run this over a few weeks now , no other issues caused by unplugging it and just the pesky error about SS not able to run but no need to press SD each time. Temporary mod until you use VCDS or OBD11.

[@stathi13]

After you removed the SoundAktor, did any service lights come up on the dash? Did you notice any problems?

[@LastHumansGarage]

No

[@stathi13]

@@LastHumansGarage Thanks for the video dude - I was able to remove my "SoundKatour" with your help. You're great at what you do, keep it up!

[@christophermcgill39]

Should take the holes on the water deflector so it doesn't rattle like you did to your wrx doors

[@LastHumansGarage]

tape you mean? not a bad idea.

[@Jon.O]

Excellent video, just what I was looking for! Most videos say to use OBD11 etc but I knew there was another way. I managed to unplug mine without removing the wipers or the cowl on the left side. So much better without fake engine noise IMO. Thanks again from the UK 🇬🇧👍

[@LastHumansGarage]

cool man

[@johndoe5229]

How did you manage?

[@Jon.O]

Looking into the engine bay from the front of the car, remove the plastic trim that goes round the right hand wiper. The sound thing is in the middle, just unplug it and secure the cable so it doesn’t rattle. Super easy. 👍

[@michael6125]

@@Jon.O was you getting vibration/rattle noise coming from your dash/windscreen area before removing the soundaktor? I’m getting horrible vibration noise from that area under low revs and it’s annoying

[@Jon.O]

@@michael6125 No, nothing like that? (PS, I didn't remove it, just unplugged it).

[@jasonmotanky73]

Hey last human, you should take that insulation off the underside of the hood. My 2019 gti ditched it so should you. Maybe more turbo noise?

[@LastHumansGarage]

or more shitty engine clatter on this TSI....

[@jasonmotanky73]

@@LastHumansGarage I dont noticed any clatter.

[@aradonabedian9144]

Anyone know how he took off the passenger side cowl at 3:10? I can't get that "corner" to pop out. The cowl shifts horizontally, which gets the corner free a little but somehow the corner just won't pop out of place.

[@LastHumansGarage]

its stiff the first time, spray lube along the whole channel with it still in, let it soak a bit, then gently try and pop it out of the channel.

[@christiancenturion9895]

I cannot remove the first plastic cover. Its too stuck to the windshield base, i dont know how to pull it to prevent breaking attachments , please help!

[@christiancenturion9895]

I removed the 3 clips, the foams on the sides ...

[@LastHumansGarage]

it can be scary the first time it comes out. try spraying detailer all in that crack before you pull again, let it soak in

[@boomerd513]

Hey. I was wondering what led headlights you ran on the wrx. Were they too bright? Or just perfect? I am running the auxbeam f1 for me brights/running light. Just was curious. They are so bright I’m kinda scared to change the low beams.

[@LastHumansGarage]

mine came w stock headlights

[@M4XC1V]

Would I be able to purchase one of these from ebay for example and install it on a MK3 seat leon? It doesn't have one from standard so i'm guessing all it needs to have is the plug?

[@LastHumansGarage]

no. it ties in to many areas of the ECU for engine parameters, and is not something you can just add to a car that doesn't have it programmed.

[@mannytim7670]

Do 2018 Passat 2.0 se have this soundactor?

[@LastHumansGarage]

probably, but if it doesnt want to be sporty, then maybe it does not.

[@chadjaeckel]

Make more room for what?

[@LastHumansGarage]

dunno

[@canadianryan3875]

Does that part make extra sound (vibration) or does it use vibration to cancel out unwanted engine noise

[@LastHumansGarage]

extra sound.

[@ParanaSlim52]

LHG it's good to see you working on the GTI. I really enjoyed your videos on the WRX. Did removing the harness from the Soundaktor throw any codes? I have a 2017 SE and my sunroof screen wants to creep open on it's own and wondered if your 2018 has had a similar issue? I admire your attention to detail, what do you do for a real job? Thanks, Will

[@LastHumansGarage]

i did a few videos on sunroof screen opening.

[@wrmughal]

are you planning to add a catch can?

[@LastHumansGarage]

i do want to. at some point.

[@GabrielSTEFAN943]

Do you think this could be retrofitted to a car that doesn't have it ?

[@markgeraghty8356]

no, it takes signals from various areas of the ECU. but you can get a fake turbo horn maybe..

[@PsyMongSki]

Will doing this throw up and error codes??

[@LastHumansGarage]

no

[@PsyMongSki]

@@LastHumansGarage brilliant i know what i am doing next weekend now haha. Hate how car manufacturers out these crap things in. I don't spend 30k to have fake engine noises. Thanks for the top quality video showing everything nice and clearly

[@shaeet]

weird, my 2016 doesn't have that internal plastic cover panel...maybe thats a 2018+ part?

[@LastHumansGarage]

maybe water was leaking in that cabin filter vent and they added a shield to keep water off your carpet.

[@GTI_CHHA]

@@LastHumansGarage You are correct, there was a recall in 2014 because of water in passenger foot well. I suppose they added this shield. Come to think of it, I better check if my GTI has one, although I have no leakage issues, mine rolled off the production line in June 2013.

[@bosoares]

You say Soundaktor funny :) Is that on purpose? It's pronounced like sound and actor together. Seeing you remove all that made me want to do the same just to clean and seal that plastic piece and underneath it. My Soundaktor was turned off with OBD Eleven.

[@LastHumansGarage]

im gonna tape up the plastic cover pegs so its tighter

[@markjones338]

Thought the plug you took off was the horn

[@LastHumansGarage]

lol

[@AgentOffice]

What's that pipe behind the battery

[@LastHumansGarage]

dunno

[@vincentli348]

Will the car sound better without the the piece? Can’t wait to see

[@LastHumansGarage]

no. but it will vibrate less.

[@big_gooch1601]

What is the reason for removal? The stock exhaust system sounds very quiet. Removing the fake noise makes it even quieter.

[@LastHumansGarage]

lol. there are always a few that love fake noise. you do whatever makes you happy man.

[@big_gooch1601]

@@LastHumansGarage I wouldn't say I like it don't get me wrong I love a real engine noise. But for example my 2019 GTi sounds garbage with its opf doesn't even dsg fart. I was just wondering if by removing the resonator it did anything other than removing the fake noise.

[@LastHumansGarage]

@@big_gooch1601 all it does it stop fake noise and also stop extra vibration all thru your windsheild.

[@Revo2Evo]

How about some videos of your Forester XT!

[@LastHumansGarage]

nothing happening on the XT these days.

[@tenaki8]

Can you just disconnect it and leave it, so you don’t have to pull everything off?

[@LastHumansGarage]

yes, you can. just tape down that cable end somewhere so it doesnt rattle.

[@tenaki8]

LastHumansGarage awesome thank you so much 😊

[@bobwilkins3406]

Sound Catour !

[@LastHumansGarage]

right BW!

[@okanelkin]

Sound katour

[@LastHumansGarage]

Randy Couture

[@daniellazaro3]

Triggering me everytime he said it

[@ronj9933]

Not soun daktor? I used to call it soundikator anyway so what do I know? 😆

[@Camaronijo13]

Hi. Why remove it? Instead of unplugging it?

[@LastHumansGarage]

dunno

[@AkatDeen]

It is soundaktor not soundkator.. ;-)

[@LastHumansGarage]

k

[@eklektikTechno]

I have a 2020 GTI is it also faking the exhaust sound?

[@LastHumansGarage]

i would expect so

[@masmainster]

It's pronounced soundaktor, like sound actor, meaning it acts out sound. Wtf is soundkator? Dyslexia? Great video on removing this thing btw.

[@LastHumansGarage]

lol

[@marinemp1978]

Cough cough.. I got fog in my throat! Haha

[@pw5192]

Thinking about it… The amount of money they spent on creating these soundacta’s they could have spent making the thermostat housing & plastic sump better , ive noticed that vw have been putting pointless things in their cars, even the silica bag in the expansion tank is a waste of time & a costly repair if it pops, VW are definatly making their cars money making pits & to do us out of pocket! They should be held accountable !

[@angrycupra8636]

I just unplugged my sound kator car sounds so much better

[@LastHumansGarage]

its nice to just hear natural noise

[@merlin2k522]

Im sweatin

[@LastHumansGarage]

is it hot?

[@merlin2k522]

@@LastHumansGarage maaaaan it was damn hard to be honest i couldnt even get my fingers between that shit lol. A friend of mine helped me out and we got the job done in 10 minutes lol. Yesterday my hand was so red and swallen lmfao

[@LastHumansGarage]

@@merlin2k522 happens...

[@merlin2k522]

@@LastHumansGarage fasho

[@LastHumansGarage]

@@merlin2k522 FO. SHO.

[@SgHawk144]

soundAKtor.

[@LastHumansGarage]

thanks my hawkman.

[@JL-wf2wp]

If I purchase a new car with an exhaust speaker and I find out I will set on fire the dealer that sold it to me

[@LastHumansGarage]

dang!