Radio Sound Issue and Service Appointment

[jjs3845]

On Saturday of this past week, I'm driving home and all of a sudden the sound form the radio gets 'buzzy' like you have a transistor radio and need to tune the station in better. This was happening for Satellite as well as AM/FM and bluetooth. I tried shutting off the vehicle a couple of times to no avail. I was thinking maybe something loose now that I have 2800 miles maybe something worked its way loose.

So I call the dealer for an appointment to have them take a look. Earliest they had is 3 weeks away which is pretty darn disappointing. I took the appointment anyway.

About 3 hours later I jump in the truck to go get dinner and it has magically fixed itself. This issue was similar to those that have their backup camera show a black screen then have it magically fix itself.

I would also like to think that the dealer scheduled me 3 weeks out because it was a non emergency problem and if I had a real issue I would get in much sooner. I fully understand that the times we live in are having businesses short on staff and expertise so I was ok with having a 3 week wait for this issue but I couldn't imagine having no vehicle for 3 weeks. I would probably end up trying a different dealer although that would not be something I would want.

Anyway, my thought was that if you get a "Buzzy" sounding radio it will fix itself.

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[Fishee]

I get a little static out of my driver's side speaker on the sound bar right by my head. I got the Alpine package and am not happy. I don't blast the radio loud and wasn't sure if I should contact my dealer for it. .

 

[dcmdon]

As someone who used to work as a service writer at a car dealer. Let me give you two pieces of advice.

If it happens again. Videotape it and narrate it. During the video go through and show that it happens with every source input. Bluetooth, radio, XM.

The day you bring it in choose to wait with the vehicle. Show the video to the service writer and have him acknowledge that he sees and understands the problem. Instruct him to have the technician come to you if you cannot duplicate the problem.

When/if the technician cannot duplicate the problem. Show the technician the video.

Remember the technician had not seen the video that you showed to the service writer. Discuss with him the possible causes and agree on something for him to do.

For example, buzzing like that might be caused by a bad ground. Or a ground loop.

Repairing this might be a simple as resetting all the radio connectorsBehind the dash, or if there are any grounds screwed to the chassis checking them for tightness and contact.

I hope this helps.

 

[jjs3845]

As someone who used to work as a service writer at a car dealer. Let me give you two pieces of advice.

If it happens again. Videotape it and narrate it. During the video go through and show that it happens with every source input. Bluetooth, radio, XM.

The day you bring it in choose to wait with the vehicle. Show the video to the service writer and have him acknowledge that he sees and understands the problem. Instruct him to have the technician come to you if you cannot duplicate the problem.

When/if the technician cannot duplicate the problem. Show the technician the video.

Remember the technician had not seen the video that you showed to the service writer. Discuss with him the possible causes and agree on something for him to do.

For example, buzzing like that might be caused by a bad ground. Or a ground loop.

Repairing this might be a simple as resetting all the radio connectorsBehind the dash, or if there are any grounds screwed to the chassis checking them for tightness and contact.

I hope this helps.

Thanks.
All of that makes perfect sense and is a great idea.

 

[dcmdon]

Thanks.
All of that makes perfect sense and is a great idea.

Your welcome.

Let us know how it works out. I'm really curious.

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