Loud cabin noise

[DJG]

Mine has made this noise since day 1, when starting the vehicle and the AC compressor is starting up. It goes away after a bit. It will also make this noise, though less noticeable, when you route to a DCFC and the vehicle starts preconditioning (same result, it's kicking on the compressor to MAX).

Generally it coincides with what seems to be the intent to want to cool the cabin down as quickly as possible, whereas in past cars it's a more gradual process. Same with remote cabin conditioning from the app. It will get your cabin down from 120 to 75 in a matter of minutes by running full bore, which you want when coming out of store. However, it seems to have the same logic if you wanted to just prepare to leave your house sometime in the next 30 minutes, and the cabin is only around 90. It will get it to 75 in a matter of seconds.

All that, and possibly also some inadequate sound dampening around the compressor, don't know. I know I never once heard the AC compressor in the eTron, no matter the conditions.

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[Deleted member 6231]

That is definitely the cooling fan for the ac and battery pack. That is completely normal. My Tesla makes the exact same noise. ICE autos make the same ac compressor noise, you just can’t hear it over the engine.

 

[cohall]

Definitely normal in my experience. Should go away after 30-60 seconds. At least mine does.

 

[rockdogz]

I have the same noise...was thinking about making a service request and saying that the fan housing sounded like it was loose but apparently it's a widespread condition

 

[TXKidd]

I’ve had the same noise since I took delivery as well. Sounds like it’s getting ready for takeoff! The fans on my truck (and potentially/presumably others) are incredibly loud, and that’s one of the first things that other people have noticed and brought up in conversation about it. Definitely doesn’t help that it’s been pretty consistently over 100° here in TX since delivery. I’m hopeful that when the weather cools off it won’t be quite so bad.

 

[rivianado]

I'm a first time EV buyer so I am not sure if that is expected from a EV. But I never had this sort of experience with a ICE vehicle before (used to drive Acura and Toyota brands). Even with a full blown AC in ICE, interior noise and vibration levels are next to nothing. I hear the compressor noise only when I am out of the vehicle. But in case of Rivian, the sound and vibration levels are high when the AC is on and would stay that way for the entire ride unlike others who mentioned that it only lasted them a few seconds. I created a service request and also spoke to the Rivian tech support and my guide about it. Latest status is the request is currently under review.

 

[krikiter]

I'm a first time EV buyer so I am not sure if that is expected from a EV. But I never had this sort of experience with a ICE vehicle before (used to drive Acura and Toyota brands). Even with a full blown AC in ICE, interior noise and vibration levels are next to nothing. I hear the compressor noise only when I am out of the vehicle. But in case of Rivian, the sound and vibration levels are high when the AC is on and would stay that way for the entire ride unlike others who mentioned that it only lasted them a few seconds. I created a service request and also spoke to the Rivian tech support and my guide about it. Latest status is the request is currently under review.

Did you hear anything back on this yet? I have the same noise, especially on start up. Generally it doesn’t last long and isn’t intrusive. Yesterday, though, at the end of a 5 hour road trip, it was loud enough to hear and feel at 80mph on the expressway.

 

[rivianado]

Did you hear anything back on this yet? I have the same noise, especially on start up. Generally it doesn’t last long and isn’t intrusive. Yesterday, though, at the end of a 5 hour road trip, it was loud enough to hear and feel at 80mph on the expressway.

Yes i did get it checked by the Rivian service. They did a diagnostic test and said that it is working as expected. However I noticed the truck isn't making that noise anymore and is much quieter now than before.

 

[Ccomtois]

So I've had my R1S for only a few days now, and I've noticed the same noise....loud fan, etc. It's been very hot in CO. Any time I leave the climate on when I exit, it stays going for 30-60 sec. And if I have it off, it seems to stop very quickly. Based on the posts I guess it's normal. I'll pay closer attention next couple days but I plan on reaching out to my guide.

 

[R1Tom]

I suspect something very minor vibrating on a panel somewhere. They probably found it and insulated it or slightly moved it so not touching the panel anymore.

 

[Picard]

I am experiencing a similar vibration that I feel through the brake and accelerator pedal when the AC is working hard. Is this what you guys experienced (vibration through the pedals)?

I cannot tell if it is the AC or the BMS fans that are causing this so I guess I have to do some investigative work first to isolate the source.

 

[RivianEC]

Same here, I hear the AC compressor/fan when I first get in and feel the vibration in my accelerator pedal (hardly ever use brake pedal anymore so I can’t say). I took delivery in November 2022. I have a service appt in Sept, I’ll try to add this to the ticket.

 

[Mathme]

When it was hotter (85ish vs 65ish) mind did that last week. The AC would be really loud for a few minutes, then cool down. It also gets pretty loud when DCFC in 80 degree weather on a recent trip.

It seems to do this more with the most recent SW update than it did before.

I chalk this noise up to it being a BEV doing its usual cooling the battery and cab. My friends Tesla's do this on a hot day as well even when just sitting...we affectionately call this behavior "panting" (like a dog on a hot day).

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