While I realize exhaust tone is a subjective item, I am having difficulty with the Active Exhaust Control.
My 2021 R-Dynamic ( 6 cylinder) has the active exhaust switch which illuminates when pushed or when the sport mode is selected.
I have driven the car 15K miles and I am unable to hear any difference in exhaust tone activated or not.
The exhaust tone does sound pretty good - not much in the way of pops but a healthy growl when the pedal is pushed.
There just does not seem to be any difference active or not
I read that JLR muted the exhaust prior to 2021, but would still expect some discernable note/decibel change when active.
Is it likely the Active Exhaust is stuck in the ON (or OFF) position?
I thought I would mention this at the next JLR service in January but would appreciate comments .

 

The best way to find out is to press the button on and off a few times whilst in the first 30 seconds of a cold start (whilst the revs are high, before the drop).

 

Thanks. I will try tomorrow.

 

You're welcome

 

I had this happen. In my situation though it was as simple as the vacuum line connecting to the exhaust valves were not seated properly.

 

Depending on the MY the exhaust switch behaves differently. In my MY18 if I select dynamic mode I can immediately hear the difierence. but if out of dynamic and with the switch on it doesn't kick in until 1500 rpm. Other MYs open the valves at tickover on the switch. My valves will always open around 4000 rpm regardless of the mode. As they say, YMMV.

 

You could also pull fuse #15 and drive it and see if the sound changes, since the valves are now always open. If it doesn't then there is probably something wrong with the vacuum lines to the valves that are keeping them open all the time. If it does change, then they are working.

 

Interesting thread. I had almost given up on the active exhaust button on my MY21 Coupe, writing it off to "those" that decree how my life is run.
I'd be very interested what CJSJAG finds out. Please post your findings. Thnx.

 

I'm not convinced that the exhaust switch has much benefit (for me, at least) - if I want loud I use dynamic mode, if I want sedate I turn dynamic mode off. I can't affect the noise behaviour above 4000 rpm anyway.

 

Yesterday I drve 150 milwes alternating sport mode with regular mode with/without the active exhaust switch on.
Totally unable to distinguish a difference.
Today I removed fuse 15 and hard revved in park - no diference with or without the fuse.
Car is booked in for service in a couple of weeks.
I will report back when I know anything.

ps I did manage to drop/lose two of those fiddly screw clamp backers from the cover plate over the fuse box!!
Hopefully JLR will replace

 

Check the vacuum lines. Easy to slide under the rear of the car and see if the lines are on. If they are in place, the little valves could be stuck. If you have warrant coverage,best to have dealer work on the valves.

 

Hi Val: I tried the slide but could not see anything I could identify.
I am guessing you are able to slide under further than me!!
Any chance you have a photo??
Thanks
Chris

 

AIUI, sport and regular mode make no difference to the exhaust sound, apart from sport potentially riunning higher revs so you might stray into 4000+ rpm territory more. It's dynamic and non-dynamic that makes the difference (and the switch). Assuming everything's working as it should, which doesn't appear to be the case for you. Hope you can get it sorted out satisfactorily - good luck!

 

So....did you try?

 

Yes, MoJo. Sorry it was not clear in my later posts. It made no difference.
And, SCM: I meant dynamic not sport mode.
I am sure there is an issue - just not clear whether valves are stuck open or closed.
It appears a vacuum leak would leave the valves open for more volume.

 

I've just remembered there is a difference between sport and regular drive mode - you can use the stick instead of the paddles to shift gears manually! Oh, and you can configure the paddles to be active in both D and S, or just S.

 

Sorry this took me a bit.. work gets in the way Ya know?

The first photo is an orientation shot, so you can see where the "cans" are in relation to the rear tires and gas tank. The photos I took are of the right rear.

The next two are closeups of the "cans', the control units for the AE. Check the vacuum lines to make sure they are on. Hope this helps.

 

Hi Val:
Many thanks for the pics.
As you said, it was easy to see the units once I knew what to look for.
Good news or bad ?? Everything looked good.
I have it scheduled in at JLR next week and will update once I have more info.

 

At least with my 2020 R the valves are open prior to startup and then they close when vacuum is generated. The engine should be loud initially and then quiet a bit a few seconds after startup, indicating the valves have closed. When Dynamic or the active exhaust system is engaged it will open the valves under hard acceleration. Disconnecting the fuse that control's the active exhaust system will cause the valves to remain open all of the time regardless dynamic mode of the button status. Those fuses have changed fuse box locations I believe over the years but it's #15 in the engine bay fuse box in the 2020 R.