Vehicle Sound Generator (VSG)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 45 other vehicles, including the 2016 BMW M5, 2016 BMW 550i xDrive, 2016 BMW 550i, 2016 BMW 535i xDrive, and 2016 BMW 535i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The Vehicle Sound Generator is a control unit and a sound generator in one component. The Vehicle Sound Generator (VSG) is connected to the CAN bus.

NOTE: Depending on series, the control unit can be connected to different CAN buses.
Examples:

I01 (Battery Electric Vehicle = BEV): Connection to K-CAN3
F01, F02, F10 Hybrid: Connection to K-CAN3
F30 Hybrid: Connection to PT-CAN

Observe the wiring diagram in the diagnosis!

The outside sound is stored in a data memory in the VSG control unit.

The VSG control unit can play 4 sound tracks simultaneously for every outside sound. The deflection and deviation can be adapted correspondingly for each sound track.

The incoming sound tracks are mixed into one output sound track. This signal is transmitted to a digital/analogue converter. The signal is then output by an amplifier as outside sound (16 bits, 22 kHz).

A speaker with 5 watts and 4 ohms is used for this.

Fig 1: Identifying Vehicle Sound Generator, Speakers And Plug Connection

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Item	Explanation
1	Vehicle Sound Generator (VSG)
2	six-pin plug connection
3	Speakers

The Vehicle Sound Generator (VSG) allows realization of the following functions:

Outside sound for forwards travel and reversing
Dependent on the driving speed and engine load.
Outside sound when starting the vehicle
Depending on whether a combustion engine is installed in the vehicle.
Protective function
Specific outside sound in the event of failure of communication on the CAN bus.