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Technical Service Bulletin Transaction No.: 2018187/18
91 Sound system: speaker rattles, vibrations, or audio interference Release date: Dec 9, 2025
Condition
Model(s) Year(s) VIN Range Vehicle Specific Equipment
All Audi vehicles 2008 - 2026 All Not applicable

REVISION HISTORY

Revision | Date Purpose

18 - Revised header (Updated model years)
Revised Condition (Added model table)

Revised Service (Updates instructions)

17 11/22/24 Revised Service (updated formatting)

16 07/19/2024 | Revised Service (minor updates to service procedure)

15 06/28/2024 | Revised Header (added new customer codes)
Customer states:

° Interference noise, such as crackling, creaking, clattering, droning, or similar can be heard coming from the
door, dash panel, or rear shelf when listening to music, making a phone call, or playing other media.
Technical Background

Parts of the speakers (Such as the brackets, cables, or covers) or parts of the interior fittings (such as door covers,
rear shelf, facings, or covers) can vibrate at certain frequencies, causing noises.

For vehicle types 8T, 8K from model years 2008 — 2012, and for 8F models 2010 — 2012 please also refer to TSB
2022773.

Production Solution

Constant improvements.

Service

To successfully resolve a customer complaint that is possibly related to a speaker, it is important to first make sure
that the complaint is caused by that speaker.

Ay caution

If the customer’s individual sound settings are different from the default settings, the complaint should
still be firstly assessed with the default sound settings.

— Ifthe customer uses individual tone settings, please reset them to their default value.

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It is not always possible to localize the exact source of the noise directly. Vehicle components can
transmit noises from other areas into the passenger compartment, which can make it difficult to localize
the source of a noise correctly. Please always check around the speakers, as well as the speakers
themselves.

— This applies to complaints regarding noises while on a phone call, in particular.

The steps below must be performed in the specified order. The customer complaint must be able to be reproduced
repeatedly.

1. When a complaint is made, please work through steps a, b, or c, depending on the fitting location, and
reassess the complaint. You can also use a noise analysis kit, which contains special lubricants, to reduce
interior noise.

a. Door speakers: Remove all objects from the door storage compartments.

b. Dash speakers: Empty the glove box completely and remove any other loose items from any area of the
dash panel.

c. _Hat-shelf speakers: Check whether the hat-shelf itself may be causing the complaint. Remove any loose
items from any area around the hat-shelf.

2. Reassess the complaint, is it still possible to reproduce the customer complaint? Check whether a speaker
cover is causing the noise. Does the noise disappear if pressure is applied to the speaker cover with your
hand?

a. If yes:

Remove the speaker cover and try to reproduce the claim again.

1. If the complaint no longer occurs, please reinstall the speaker cover in the correct position. If
necessary, please also use suitable measures to quiet the speaker cover (e.g., felt, etc.). If the
speaker cover is damaged, it must be replaced.

2. Claim the labor using the service number of the speaker cover as the casual part. Please
note that claims for speaker covers that are replaced without being damaged may be denied.

b. If the complaint has not been resolved, continue with step 3.
3. Check that all bolts on the affected speaker are tightened correctly.
a. Try to tighten every bolt on the speaker.

b. If any bolts can be tightened, check whether the complaint has been resolved after the bolts have been
tightened.
Claim the labor using the service number of the loudspeaker and specify damage type SA018
“loose”.

c. _ If the complaint has not been resolved, continue with step 4.

4. Check the speaker itself for foreign bodies. Remove any foreign bodies.

5. AFTER checking that the loudspeaker is correctly seated in step 3, remove the loudspeaker, and carry out
another sound test. When doing so, the loudspeaker magnet should be held by hand from underneath with the
membrane facing upwards.
a. Check the speaker for any visible damage, e.g., on the speaker membrane or the foam bead (if
applicable).

b. | Check the speaker under the conditions described by the customer.
c. — Ifno unexpected noise can be heard, the speaker must not be replaced. Continue with step 6.

d. If the noise is still distinctly present with the speaker removed and held in your hand, continue with step
8. In this case, you can skip step 6 and 7.

The passenger compartment should be checked for loose bolts, trim, fluttering labels (Figure 1), or wires and
any other (trim) components which could vibrate together with resonances in the vehicle.

Secure or apply backing or felt to any loose parts or replace them if necessary.

a

Figure 1. Be sure to check for fluttering labels (red box).

For vehicle types 8T, 8K from model years 2008 — 2012, and for 8F models 2010 — 2012 please also refer to
TSB 2022773.

Claims should quote the service number of the part causing damage and not the loudspeaker.
If the complaint cannot be reproduced with the loudspeaker removed, please reinstall the loudspeaker after

performing step 5, check that it is seated correctly, centrally, and flush and check whether the complaint still
exists with the loudspeaker installed.

It is possible that the loudspeaker was installed under tension that was released during removal of the
speaker, causing the customer’s complaint.

If the complaint has not been resolved, continue with step 8.

Please also check whether the noises from the loudspeaker still occur after checking the loudspeaker as
follows:

a. Grip the loudspeaker cable’s connector tightly and squeeze it to ensure that the connector is engaged
securely in the loudspeaker. Hold the cable tightly / tug it gently when doing so. If this
eliminates the noises, please continue with b/c

b. Attach a piece of felt to the connector housing to ensure that it is seated securely and to eliminate any
vibrations at the connector housing / connector pins.

c. | Unplug the cable’s connector, turn it by 360° twice and plug it back into the loudspeaker to ensure that
the pins are seated securely in the connector housing.

If the concern is not resolved, continue with step 9.

9. Please swap the loudspeaker on the right with the opposite loudspeaker on the left. Check whether the
complaint moves location with the loudspeaker.

a. _ If the complaint is now on the other side, the loudspeaker must be replaced.

Always perform step 6 before installing a new loudspeaker to avoid a repeat repair.

b. — If the complaint did not move location with the loudspeaker and you have worked through this list
completely, please continue the search at your own discretion in the area of the amplifier.

When doing so, check for loose cables / bent or widened pins / damp areas.

Please refer to other applicable TSBs as necessary.

Warranty

Ay caution

Parts must not be replaced without good reason as stated in this TSB. Such claims will be debited.

When claiming labor to eliminate rattling noises on trim parts under warranty, the respective service number of the
trim piece must be used, and the damage type must be appropriate for the location in conjunction with the cause of
the complaint.

Examples of service numbers are:

* 5811 — Door handle

* 6817 — Door lock

* 5819 - Cable

* 5867 — Lock cylinder

* 7018 — Dash panel

* 7022 — Dash panel cover

* 7058 — Trim strip for dash panel

* 7014 — Loudspeaker cover

* 9732 — Wiring harness for door

* 9733 — Wiring harness for central locking system
* 9740 — Wiring harness for steering column
* 9774 — Wiring harness for dash panel

* 7059 — Door trim (front)
* 7073 — Door trim (rear)
* 6815 — Glove box

* 7030 — Luggage compartment cover

Additional Information

All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2018187) are subject to change and/or removal. Always check
with your Parts Department and/or ETKA for the latest information and parts bulletins. Please check the Repair
Manual for fasteners, bolts, nuts, and screws that require replacement during the repair.

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