A possible way to turn the fake engine noise and active noise cancellation off.

[MitchConnor]

Got a 2023 Reserve with the Revel audio system. The fake engine noise isn't the greatest and while the noise cancellation doesn't bother me it's driving my Dad nuts.

Did quite a bit of research on how to turn it off using Forscan. Simply haven't been able to identify a protocol that works. Lots of conflicting information and bad documentation, though.

While doing a deep Google dive I accidentally found a small wiring harness from Crutchfield for 25 bucks that looks promising:

Axxess ANC-FDH3 ANC Bypass Harness

ANC bypass harness for select 2020-up Ford vehicles

www.crutchfield.com

It's arriving in a couple of days. Will do some before and after testing and let you know how this works out. I've worked with these kinds of harnesses before. One to defeat GM's skip shift programming on their manual transmission cars. Another to eliminate the auto start stop on the Aviator. Both worked flawlessly so I'm cautiously optimistic this will work as well.

Stay tuned....

 

[inmanlanier]

To make sure I understand your goal with that device - you're ordering a device to turn the noise cancellation off, yes (guessing for your dad's sake)?

Although I have no desire to turn off the ANC (at my age a quiet chariot traveling at high speed on the interstate is a plus ) - I would rather turn off the fake engine noise - I think I read you to say you've not had luck down that path. Let me know if you succeed there. I have Forscan. Like you I disabled the auto start stop function.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

I solved the problem with a Borla Exhaust. It actually has REAL exhaust sounds and lets one know that there are 400 ponies underneath that hood!
ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM!!!!!

 

[MitchConnor]

Apparently ANC and fake engine noise are all part of the same system. Six of one and half a dozen of another.

Getting rid of the fake engine noise is worth an increase of road noise as that can be dealt with by replacing the 22 inch Goodyear touring tires.

______________________________

 

[MitchConnor]

Installed the harness today. The harness is installed behind the interior trim panel under the D pillar in the cargo bay -- so the cargo floor panel, cargo floor underpanel, cargo floor side underpanel, rear passenger door trim panel above the rocker panel, cargo latch trim panel, cargo bay side panel, and D pillar trim had to come out. Had really good disassembly instructions so it was pretty easy. Found one of the retaining screw assemblies to hold the cargo bay side panel wasn't put in right at the factory -- so I was able to redo it and make it right.

Here's what I came up with:

1. Tested the car out before doing anything. Accelerated in both Normal and Excite modes. The Excite mode was about 4 decibels higher at 72.

2. Put the harness in. While overall decibel totals were nearly the same -- the type of sound was different as there was a higher pitch, sort of hissing sound entering the cabin at our test speed of 55 mph with the cruise on. As for the sound that my Dad was picking up on -- no difference -- so it's tire noise. The engine noise was pretty similar. The only difference was the higher range, sort of sewing machine / farm equipment sound was reduced a little bit.

3. Went and filled the car with gas. While filling up decided to remove the harness and not plug the connector together to shut the entire speaker system off. The fake engine noise was definitely gone while the higher pitch road noise returned.

Summation:

1. This didn't do anything to quiet the low pitched rumbling sound that bothers my Dad when he sits in the back seat.

2. The difference between the fake engine noise being piped in vs. not really isn't that different. While there's a slight bit less of it, there's simply just a farming equipment type of undertone to the drivetrain in these vehicles. I was extremely disappointed to come to this conclusion.

3. The benefits of ANC outweigh anything you get by turning it off. There is definitely a difference in the interior -- that higher pitched hissing noise which is probably from the tires or aero. This sound is far more intrusive than the fake engine noise and isn't worth putting up with.

Once the factory Goodyears are used up we'll look at trying a different type of tire to see if the road noise can be quieted down a bit.

Wish I had better news to report -- but there just doesn't seem to be much benefit turning the ANC / fake engine noise off. That said, if somebody has successfully done it through FORSCAN please let me know the module, line item, and codes so I can try it out.

Thanks.

 

[inmanlanier]

I could not have asked for a better summary with information presented in a clear and objective manner. You (unfortunately) validated what I surmised for our taste - don't turn the ANC off. On the flip side, I guess I'm glad the 'fake' engine noise is not really of great substance.

I'll not ponder this much more in the future.

Sorry you were a bit disappointed; I hope your Dad can eventually get accustomed to it.

Thanks to another great reason why these forums are so valuable!

 

[Big Lebowski]

great summary and appreciate you being a guinea pig! I was annoyed by the fake engine noise when I first got my Aviator, but the car as a whole is so great, I barely even notice it. One of my favorite car purchases...next to my C8.

 

[Spirit72]

Thanks for the effort, Mitch!
Fake engine noise was probably factory added as the only means to hide the GYr loud tire singing. Turned it back on.

______________________________

 

[KayPops]

Installed the harness today. The harness is installed behind the interior trim panel under the D pillar in the cargo bay -- so the cargo floor panel, cargo floor underpanel, cargo floor side underpanel, rear passenger door trim panel above the rocker panel, cargo latch trim panel, cargo bay side panel, and D pillar trim had to come out. Had really good disassembly instructions so it was pretty easy. Found one of the retaining screw assemblies to hold the cargo bay side panel wasn't put in right at the factory -- so I was able to redo it and make it right.

Here's what I came up with:

1. Tested the car out before doing anything. Accelerated in both Normal and Excite modes. The Excite mode was about 4 decibels higher at 72.

2. Put the harness in. While overall decibel totals were nearly the same -- the type of sound was different as there was a higher pitch, sort of hissing sound entering the cabin at our test speed of 55 mph with the cruise on. As for the sound that my Dad was picking up on -- no difference -- so it's tire noise. The engine noise was pretty similar. The only difference was the higher range, sort of sewing machine / farm equipment sound was reduced a little bit.

3. Went and filled the car with gas. While filling up decided to remove the harness and not plug the connector together to shut the entire speaker system off. The fake engine noise was definitely gone while the higher pitch road noise returned.

Summation:

1. This didn't do anything to quiet the low pitched rumbling sound that bothers my Dad when he sits in the back seat.

2. The difference between the fake engine noise being piped in vs. not really isn't that different. While there's a slight bit less of it, there's simply just a farming equipment type of undertone to the drivetrain in these vehicles. I was extremely disappointed to come to this conclusion.

3. The benefits of ANC outweigh anything you get by turning it off. There is definitely a difference in the interior -- that higher pitched hissing noise which is probably from the tires or aero. This sound is far more intrusive than the fake engine noise and isn't worth putting up with.

Once the factory Goodyears are used up we'll look at trying a different type of tire to see if the road noise can be quieted down a bit.

Wish I had better news to report -- but there just doesn't seem to be much benefit turning the ANC / fake engine noise off. That said, if somebody has successfully done it through FORSCAN please let me know the module, line item, and codes so I can try it out.

Thanks.

Please can you share pictures of where you installed the harness. I have searching the entire car but I can't find the ANC module. I thought it would be behind the radio head unit.

 

[KayPops]

Please can you share pictures of where you installed the harness. I have searching the entire car but I can't find the ANC module. I thought it would be behind the radio head unit.

Thank you. Please if you can sharing the wiring that would helpful. From your comments it seems there is no need to install a bypass but instead disconnect the ANC to be able to install an aftermarket Amp and sub? Is there another "central" location where the ANC can be disconnected?

 

[peterk9]

Thank you. Please if you can sharing the wiring that would helpful. From your comments it seems there is no need to install a bypass but instead disconnect the ANC to be able to install an aftermarket Amp and sub? Is there another "central" location where the ANC can be disconnected?

If you are replying to Spirit72, he was last seen here on June 25, 2024, so likely isn't around any longer.

Peter

 

[KayPops]

If you are replying to Spirit72, he was last seen here on June 25, 2024, so likely isn't around any longer.

Peter

Okay thanks for the heads up

______________________________

 

[MattMacMan]

Please can you share pictures of where you installed the harness. I have searching the entire car but I can't find the ANC module. I thought it would be behind the radio head unit.

Thats because youre looking in the wrong spot lol. Its in the back of the vehicle just under the right tail light and is accessed by removing the right wall of the cargo area.