2019 Base A8 Warble Question?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,508
Likes: 1,460
From: Pittsburgh PA
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 Base A8 Warble Question?
Does anyone have a 2019 base A8 with or without the dreaded "warble" noise which occurs in the rear differential at approx 1,500 RPM under slight acceleration? I am thinking about purchasing a new 2019 base coupe with the M7 (I miss shifting) but I currently have a '16 A8 (which is fast and the trans is flawless) and may consider 2019 configured the same way.
A simple yes or no about the warble in 2019 base A8's is all I'm looking for. Don't want a discussion about the noise, what causes it, factory fixes etc. or manual vs. auto. Thanks for any input.
A simple yes or no about the warble in 2019 base A8's is all I'm looking for. Don't want a discussion about the noise, what causes it, factory fixes etc. or manual vs. auto. Thanks for any input.
Last edited by Scruff Vette; Sep 8, 2018 at 08:00 AM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 36
From: Jefferson Ohio
Does anyone have a 2019 base A8 with or without the dreaded "warble" noise which occurs in the rear differential at approx 1,500 RPM under slight acceleration? I am thinking about purchasing a new 2019 base coupe with the M7 (I miss shifting) but I currently have a '16 A8 (which is fast and the trans is flawless) and may consider 2019 configured the same way.
A simple yes or no about the warble in 2019 base A8's is all I'm looking for. Don't want a discussion about the noise, what causes it, factory fixes etc. or manual vs. auto. Thanks for any input.
A simple yes or no about the warble in 2019 base A8's is all I'm looking for. Don't want a discussion about the noise, what causes it, factory fixes etc. or manual vs. auto. Thanks for any input.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,800
Likes: 2,653
From: Down south in Dixie
Scuff, the M7's do not have a warble problem that I have heard of, because of the different gearing is my guess.
I got the problem in my '16 A8, so I've done a ton of research. Luckily my warble has abated at bit, so I'm gonna drive her till she fails.
I got the problem in my '16 A8, so I've done a ton of research. Luckily my warble has abated at bit, so I'm gonna drive her till she fails.
Last edited by Rebel Yell; Sep 8, 2018 at 05:22 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,508
Likes: 1,460
From: Pittsburgh PA
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Rebel, Same here. It's there, but only a minor annoyance on my '16 A8. Came into a little bit of luck lately and was thinking of upgrading to a '19. The M7's don't have it with their 3:42 rear diffs. But all the base A8 2:41 diffs I know of, do. Was thinking of going back to a manual as I miss shifting, but I also love my A8. The warble is just one part of that decision.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 1,017
From: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
Rebel, Same here. It's there, but only a minor annoyance on my '16 A8. Came into a little bit of luck lately and was thinking of upgrading to a '19. The M7's don't have it with their 3:42 rear diffs. But all the base A8 2:41 diffs I know of, do. Was thinking of going back to a manual as I miss shifting, but I also love my A8. The warble is just one part of that decision.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 36
From: Jefferson Ohio
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,800
Likes: 2,653
From: Down south in Dixie
I don't believe different gearing (M7 V A8) has anything to do with it from reading 8K posts on here, I didn't read them all since I have M7. It is the torque converter in the A8 locking/unlocking when the engine goes from V8 to V4 operation. A8 will go in & out of this constantly, even in town at low RPM, UNLESS using Manual paddles to shift. M7 will only go into the 4 cyl. mode if put in ECO Mode. There is the Range device (look it up-too much info for here) that is plugged into OBD port & disables 4 cyl. mode. It can also be unplugged when going to dealer for other warranty work or whatever to keep your "dirty little secret". These 2 options (range device/manual shifting A8) are by almost all posts the ticket to avoid the dreaded "SHUDDER" or RPM fluctuation.
Rob, the TQ is a whole nuther pile of crap itself. GM bought one of our members car back to investigate the warble. They found it was from the ring gear/pinion because of something being a little off. Quite a few members have had their diff changed with success. The TQ was taken cars on the cars around Nov. 15 build, and beyond. In my 03/16 build the TQ has been fine. I have no idea if they ever beat the diff supplier in line, but it seems the newer cars, i.e. 19's and maybe some '18's, are warble free.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 106
Likes: 13
From: Eden North Carolina
I have a 2019 Stingray A8, and it has the warble at 1500 RPM. It's a minor nuisance, but I'll eventually get the differential replaced under warranty as others with similar cars have done recently (now that GM know exactly what the problem is). I still love my car though and have had no other problem.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
I'm still waiting to hear of someone that has actually had their diff fail after having the warble noise. I still think it might just be a harmless noise that doesn't manifest itself into an outright failure. I had a set of 4.10 gears installed in my 98 Firebird Formula and the installer didn't set the gears up perfectly so they made a whining noise, but that noise never got any louder, nor did it ever turn into a major problem, I drove it for a couple of years like that, and made a few hundred quarter mile runs with it too.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 106
Likes: 13
From: Eden North Carolina
I'm still waiting to hear of someone that has actually had their diff fail after having the warble noise. I still think it might just be a harmless noise that doesn't manifest itself into an outright failure. I had a set of 4.10 gears installed in my 98 Firebird Formula and the installer didn't set the gears up perfectly so they made a whining noise, but that noise never got any louder, nor did it ever turn into a major problem, I drove it for a couple of years like that, and made a few hundred quarter mile runs with it too.
You're probably correct, but even just as a bothersome sound many feel it is still desirable to have it fixed while the car is under warranty. Each owner will have to make that decision.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31,796
Likes: 2,420
From: DFW/Long Island
I'm still waiting to hear of someone that has actually had their diff fail after having the warble noise. I still think it might just be a harmless noise that doesn't manifest itself into an outright failure. I had a set of 4.10 gears installed in my 98 Firebird Formula and the installer didn't set the gears up perfectly so they made a whining noise, but that noise never got any louder, nor did it ever turn into a major problem, I drove it for a couple of years like that, and made a few hundred quarter mile runs with it too.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31,796
Likes: 2,420
From: DFW/Long Island
Even thought it's covered under the 5 year power train warranty, my follow on question is will it stay fixed? and if not, does having it fixed during the 5 year warranty, then grandfather the problem to be a warranty claim beyond the 5 years?
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
True, but my issue would be that I wouldn't really like the idea of having the dealership tear the car apart if it was only for a minor noise.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 90
Likes: 26
Yes, I have the warble, 1500 RPM since the car was new. I now have 2200 miles, still there. I always drive in "M" mode, so no AFM involved.
I kinda like the sound, it give the car character - between the warble, ticks, hisses, rumbles, ... I feel like I am driving a sports car :-)
I would also just leave it as-is but I am concerned about long term failure.
I kinda like the sound, it give the car character - between the warble, ticks, hisses, rumbles, ... I feel like I am driving a sports car :-)
I would also just leave it as-is but I am concerned about long term failure.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
Rob, the TQ is a whole nuther pile of crap itself. GM bought one of our members car back to investigate the warble. They found it was from the ring gear/pinion because of something being a little off. Quite a few members have had their diff changed with success. The TQ was taken cars on the cars around Nov. 15 build, and beyond. In my 03/16 build the TQ has been fine. I have no idea if they ever beat the diff supplier in line, but it seems the newer cars, i.e. 19's and maybe some '18's, are warble free.
I authored the warble post and they bought my 16 stingray back and now have a warble free 17 GS