Oh oh oh I think I have a theory for this one.
The AWD is a RWD vehicle unless you're accelerating hard, with a couple notable exceptions.
- In reverse, if and only if you stopped fully before going into reverse, it will use the front motor instead
- At low speeds (roughly 20mph or less), and only if you were not previously at a higher speed under acceleration, it will use the front motor for forward acceleration. So usually in parking lots or when first getting going from a stop.
The second point is what I think is relevant here. You may be hearing more noise (I do) simply because the front motor is actually being used, not coasting freely as it generally does. When I tightened ground straps, I don't think
these noises changed at all though. Most of this would support the theory that what you're heating is noise from the front motor though.
My very first observation after getting the car is the front motor seemed to generate the bulk of the noise. This was true until the constant pitch issue got really loud (this I fixed by tightening ground straps), and is now true once again.
Ah cool. All sorts of reasons it could've taken longer, but maybe that supports my theory that it's a bit of a chore and requires some disassembly.
