Annoying clonk clonk noise coming from the dashcam

AnthonyH

AnthonyH

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Recently I could hear a distinctive rhythmic clonk clonk noise at regular intervals, I have tried reformatting the recommended installed Vantrue SD card, but the noise is still there, I have turned off everything possible but the noise is still there, even when the car is stationary at traffic light the noise is still there. The camera is hardwired into the fuse box.
I took the camera off the windscreen plugged it into my home for over three hours and no noise, but as soon as I plugged it back into its car mount and went for a drive the noise started again after about 10mins driving. I have checked everything possible.
I have tried a non Vantrue sd card but to no effect. I am now going to connect the dashcam via the cigarette lighter and see if that stops the noise, but I really need the camera for parked mode so it needs hardwired.
I really like this camera and the picture quality is good and clear much more than I was expecting. There must be something I am missing but cannot think what?
 
That sound strange, i would love to hear those sounds if you can share a little bit of video.

Over the years there have been some issues, most often with buttons rattling, or the camera mount being worn and so a rattle could appear from that
 
It's a brand new camera in a brand new car, there is nothing rattling it's a distinctive noise from the camera every few seconds, it's not mechanical it's coming from the camera.
I am now running the camera via the cigarette lighter to see if I still get the noise
 
This may be a stretch. Take a look at the Warning Tones. There are 5 different tones; turn off all warning tones to see if the problem persists.
 
All are turned off and still getting the noise, could it be a hard wired fault?
 
Hmmm....hard to say. The noise appears only when driving and is wired to the fuse box, or also when using the CLA? If the noise is there regardless of the wiring, then some activity in the car's electrical system can probably be ruled out. Though it is unlikely the car's els would cause the dashcam to make noise. So that leaves you with vibration-induced noise. Have you lightly shaken the camera to see if you hear any noise?

If you feel it is not mechanical, perhaps the speaker is producing a sound that is caused by software or a component. You can perform a factory reset on the unit, then reflash the current firmware. You can reflash to the previous firmware if the noise appeared only after a recent firmware upgrade.

Contacting @Jeff_Vantrue here would probably be a good idea.
 
If it is in the camera it should be real easy to hear in its recordings..
You could try to flash the firmware, even if you are on the latest version, i once had that fix a issue for me on a Street guardian system, though i can not recall what the error was, but flashing again made it go bye bye.

Only sounds i hear from my systems is that some times whey will take a photo even if not prompted to do that, this go for both the Vantrue S1PM i run and the 70mai T800.
But these " ghost " photos are rare, like once a week at the most.
 
kamkar said:
If it is in the camera it should be real easy to hear in its recordings..
You could try to flash the firmware, even if you are on the latest version, i once had that fix a issue for me on a Street guardian system, though i can not recall what the error was, but flashing again made it go bye bye.

Only sounds i hear from my systems is that some times whey will take a photo even if not prompted to do that, this go for both the Vantrue S1PM i run and the 70mai T800.
But these " ghost " photos are rare, like once a week at the most.
Click to expand...

I have two Viofo A229 Pros that, when powered up, induce a squeal on the AM band 970. No other AM band but 970. The squeal is there whether the A229 Pro is powered by hardwire, CLA, Dongar adapter via the rear-view mirror, or a USB power bank. I tried filters and moved the wiring, but nothing helped. I tend to think it is dashcam-related, as other dashcam brands in my car do not produce the same squeal. I have a FineVu GX1600 that has buttons that rattle. You don't hear the buttons in the car, but they are heard on the video. If I shake the GX1600, I hear nothing. If I set the unit on the table and tapped it with my fingers, I hear a rattle from the dashcam. Being me, I took the GX1600 apart to find out why its buttons were rattling. šŸ™‚
 
lufa6977 said:
I have two Viofo A229 Pros that, when powered up, induce a squeal on the AM band 970. No other AM band but 970. ...
Click to expand...
Very likely the power circuit(s) in the camera causing RFI. Here's a long thread from quite some time ago on the same subject.

DT MI

Thread 'Question for you 'Electronic Gurus' - whoever you may be'

Earlier today I installed a 'spare' G1W-H, battery version, camera in my wife's car as a rear cam. (In part because earlier this week she was rear ended coming home from work - no damage and no injuries so that's good.)

I mounted the camera directly on the rear window/windshield/windscreen using my modified rearview mirror mount (https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/convert-mirror-mount-to-stick-on-mount.11457). The rear glass has the dual function defroster/antenna wires. I used a 12V splitter similar to this - (https://www.amazon.com/gp/B00ULTDWDM) for power as her car has only a single power...
 
DT MI said:
Very likely the power circuit(s) in the camera causing RFI. Here's a long thread from quite some time ago on the same subject.

DT MI

Thread 'Question for you 'Electronic Gurus' - whoever you may be'

Earlier today I installed a 'spare' G1W-H, battery version, camera in my wife's car as a rear cam. (In part because earlier this week she was rear ended coming home from work - no damage and no injuries so that's good.)

I mounted the camera directly on the rear window/windshield/windscreen using my modified rearview mirror mount (https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/convert-mirror-mount-to-stick-on-mount.11457). The rear glass has the dual function defroster/antenna wires. I used a 12V splitter similar to this - (https://www.amazon.com/gp/B00ULTDWDM) for power as her car has only a single power...
Click to expand...

That was a very interesting read, thank you. Sounds precisely the same as I was experiencing.
 
lufa6977 said:
Hmmm....hard to say. The noise appears only when driving and is wired to the fuse box, or also when using the CLA? If the noise is there regardless of the wiring, then some activity in the car's electrical system can probably be ruled out. Though it is unlikely the car's els would cause the dashcam to make noise. So that leaves you with vibration-induced noise. Have you lightly shaken the camera to see if you hear any noise?

If you feel it is not mechanical, perhaps the speaker is producing a sound that is caused by software or a component. You can perform a factory reset on the unit, then reflash the current firmware. You can reflash to the previous firmware if the noise appeared only after a recent firmware upgrade.

Contacting @Jeff_Vantrue here would probably be a good idea.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for your help. Weā€™re currently also in touch with Anthony to troubleshoot the issue. At the moment, weā€™ve asked him to try using the cigarette lighter charger to see if the noise disappears.
 
Nice one Jeff.
 
Thanks to all for your help and suggestions and yes Jeff_Vantrue is really being so helpful to sort this issue out, I have also contacted the installer of the dash cam who said they will come and check all the wiring just to satisfy themselves that they have connected it to the correct fuses.
I have also contacted SEAT the car manufacturer and asked if the fuses in my new edition Leon ST FR are different from last years model just in case.
I am sure we will get to the bottom of the issue and will keep all informed, Thanks again much appreciated
 
I have recorded the sound but sadly I cannot post them on this site as it does not allow mp4 videos
 
AnthonyH said:
I have recorded the sound but sadly I cannot post them on this site as it does not allow mp4 videos
Click to expand...

Do you have a YouTube or Google Drive account? If so, post there, and we can download and listen to the sound.
 
Got somebody else to listen to the sound and they say it's more like a tapping sound or knocking sound but definitely coming from the camera, even when stationary and also when the ignition is off and when the camera is connected via the cigarette lighter socket
 
Quick update, due to my poor hearing I got two neighbours to listen to the noise and they said it sound more like a tap tap sound but not coming from the camera but the cars infotainment system, which is right in front of the fuse box. I turned off the parked mode on the dashcam and the noise stopped, later in the day I turned the parked mode back on and the tap tap started again. Asking my neighbours to listen again they both said it definitely was coming from the car and not the dashcam. I have arranged for the original installer to come and check all the cabling to see if there is a bad connection somewhere.
Jeff_Vantrue has really been very helpful and I cannot praise the company enough in trying to help me resolve the issue
 
Hi
After all the installations cabling has been checked it appears the noise is coming from the cars ADAS that sits on the windscreen of my car, whether its developed a fault coincidentally around the time the dashcam was fitted, or going over the many speeds bumps in my area dislodged the plastic cover of the unit I really do not know, but certainly the cabling for the dashcam has not interfered with that part of the car. Guess I will have to take the car to my nearest dealer to get it checked out.
PS I often wondered what that magical box on the front windscreen was called and used for so at least I have learnt that one
 
I do wish modern cars could be had without all that smart stuff in them.
All i really would like in a new car is heated seats, heated windscreen and power steering, dont need electric windows and what not smart stuff, and i am from back when you learned to drive a car so even ABS brakes i could be without.

Hell my first car ( 1967 ) one year younger than myself, it dident even have power steering ( Volvo 121 )
 
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