Radio Reception Issues

[chuckl1218]

I have an early build (8/13) Silverado LTZ DC. Did the same thing in Sept. '14. Dealer checked and ordered a replacement radio and performed the software update. According to paperwork, they performed PI1288a for fm reception. Dealer told me the update had to be checked against VIN and module in truck to tell whether only software or both hardware & software needed updating.

 

My reception is MUCH better, although I still wish I could "turn off" the radio to the clock "home" screen and it would stay consistently there like a normal radio. Mine changes each time I start the truck to either the radio screen or " home" screen at will, always in mute of course. Rented many cars, SUVs and even a Buick. All turned off, except the Tahoe which acted the same...just strange.

 

If you look far enough back in this thread, you'll see that TJay worked with the engineers to get this released. You'll also see there were mixed results. Not sure why this is and I think this is why they are still working on it. TJay keeps informed and said he is expecting another update from the GM engineers in late summer or early fall.

 

I do agree that service provided really depends upon the dealer. Mine treats me very well.

Edited July 26, 2015 by chuckl1218

[[email protected]]

I've been watching this thread for quiet some time. I have a 2014 Dbl Cab Silverado, about 4 months ago I took my truck to local dealer and complained about lack of HD channels and poor reception. My dealership called and said the had to order new radio receiver and there was a software upgrade available, after the new hardware arrived and was installed. To make a long story short, after getting truck back I have been amazed at improvement, I live in Fort Wayne, In and I like to listen to WLW out of Cincinnati, Oh which is about 140 miles away. It is an HD channel and comes in loud and clear HD, since hardware replacement. Also there are a lot of local FM stations which are HD and now come in, that I wasn't even aware were available in HD.

I'm thinking that a lot of the poor radio reception issues are there and GM has a fix for the the issue, but poor dealership service is not even trying to remedy the problem, just giving customers the run around.

I wonder what kind of power they are transmitting at?. My dealer told me I was the first one to complain. I ve had the software upgrade I live in Memphis. Once in a while my radio drifts and loses the HD signal. Mine would not pick up a station 140 miles away.

 

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Jesse Davidson]

I've been watching this thread for quiet some time. I have a 2014 Dbl Cab Silverado, about 4 months ago I took my truck to local dealer and complained about lack of HD channels and poor reception. My dealership called and said the had to order new radio receiver and there was a software upgrade available, after the new hardware arrived and was installed. To make a long story short, after getting truck back I have been amazed at improvement, I live in Fort Wayne, In and I like to listen to WLW out of Cincinnati, Oh which is about 140 miles away. It is an HD channel and comes in loud and clear HD, since hardware replacement. Also there are a lot of local FM stations which are HD and now come in, that I wasn't even aware were available in HD.

I'm thinking that a lot of the poor radio reception issues are there and GM has a fix for the the issue, but poor dealership service is not even trying to remedy the problem, just giving customers the run around.

I wish I could be amazed about anything with this truck, GM has been an absolute joke with the service and remedies. My dealer showed me the latest service bulletin that everything I has issues is "normal operation" it even says that there are alot of people complaining about it, and there is no fix. My dealer wouldn't do anything

 

I have an early build (8/13) Silverado LTZ DC. Did the same thing in Sept. '14. Dealer checked and ordered a replacement radio and performed the software update. According to paperwork, they performed PI1288a for fm reception. Dealer told me the update had to be checked against VIN and module in truck to tell whether only software or both hardware & software needed updating.

 

My reception is MUCH better, although I still wish I could "turn off" the radio to the clock "home" screen and it would stay consistently there like a normal radio. Mine changes each time I start the truck to either the radio screen or " home" screen at will, always in mute of course. Rented many cars, SUVs and even a Buick. All turned off, except the Tahoe which acted the same...just strange.

 

If you look far enough back in this thread, you'll see that TJay worked with the engineers to get this released. You'll also see there were mixed results. Not sure why this is and I think this is why they are still working on it. TJay keeps informed and said he is expecting another update from the GM engineers in late summer or early fall.

 

I do agree that service provided really depends upon the dealer. Mine treats me very well.

Supposedly my Chevy dealer has the best service center in the country, and I havn't has sh*t for help on anything. Last week I said f*ck it and contacted a big lawfirm to file a class action suit against GM for all of the current issues, radio included. I'm done dealing with their bullsh*t, they had the balls to tell me "you can drive in M5 if you want to help reduce the drivetrain vibration your truck has" seriously, are you f*cking kidding me. I went to trade the truck in (its less than a month old) and the dealers are taking an extra 26% depreciation on top of what 1 year of depreciation should be according to edmunds and incentives that I used to discount the MSRP, My MSRP is roughly 58,000 they offered me 32,000 because they know about every issue GM is having,(heres how the numbers break down; 58000-7000 in incentives, - 7000 depreciation means I should have been offered 44,000) a ford dealer even asked me when i walked in which issue i didn't like, the AFM or vibration.... NO, I would have considered taking a slight hit, but there is no way in h*ll I',m taking a 12,000 hit.

 

sorry for ranting, I'm really pissed off with GM

[TJay74]

*** UPDATE****

 

Ok here is where we are at. I was part of a conference call today with the Chief Engineer and 3 of the engineers from the infotainment department. The update is still coming, they have ran into some snags and I will try to explain why.

 

As of right now the MY14, MY15 and MY16 trucks share nothing in common at all in regards to the infotainment system. The hardware is different and the software is different as well. Because of this issue it is why we cant just swap parts over to get features to work across the model years. This is also causing issues for the software update as well. GM is trying to take the software from the MY16 system and use it in the MY14 system, but in order to do that they are having to make changes for it to work correctly. That is what is causing them to take so long as of right now.

 

The reasoning for doing it this way is GM knows they can get the MY14 system working correctly with the software update, they don't want to do a hardware change out and it would take H/W and S/W in order to do handle the process that way.

 

As of right now they are almost done with the software calibration, they are going to get it thru the certification process and hopefully out to the dealers late this year (Nov/Dec). As soon as the update is ready I will know as my truck will be the 1st truck to be tested with the update other than the test trucks I am sure GM is already using. One of the engineers said he knows the issue is there, he drove a MY14 for a year and said he heard the issue just as we do.

 

They said there will be a lot of backend updates in this new software, BUT we will NOT be gaining any new features that we don't already have. So we will not be getting the text feature or any other feature that a MY15/16 truck has that the MY14 trucks done have. What we have now is what we have, this update is mainly designed to correct the multi pathing issue and the dropping in/out from stereo/mono. They did say as of now on the test trucks they have it resolved and it shows to work, as of now it is just a matter of time to get the final calibration written, then validated and certified and then out to the dealers for us to have the update installed.

 

Also they did say the HD radio will be coming back on the trucks for the MY16 trucks, and no I already asked. If you have a MY15 truck there is no way for you to get the HD to work in your trucks, the MY15 trucks are missing some hardware modules so it is not feasible to put HD in the MY15 trucks.

 

That is what I have right now, as soon and I know anything more I will update you all. I am supposed to hear back from them in another 8-10 weeks with another update and or to hopefully get the new calibration installed on my truck.

 

Todd

[Jesse Davidson]

Well Todd made his update, now it's time for me to make mine,

I had mentioned that I was done dealing with all of GM's BullSh*t, particularly after they told me that all of the issues with my truck (Radio, AFM Vibration, some other drive train vibration) are "normal operation" and that they wouldn't do anything. The lawfirm I had contacted called me back today, and they ARE interested in taking the class action case (lots of people have the same issues), they have already gotten some "experts" to look into ALL of the issues, I gave them a little more information, and they said that either one of their "upper level partners" or the "experts" will be contacting me in the next few weeks regarding the overall case.

Here we go, the ball is finally rolling

(if anyone wants to/ is willing to speak to them, please pm me your Name, Email, and Phone)

[TJay74]

I want to ask, have you actually tried calling GM and having them open a case yet?

 

The vibration analysis process for the drivetrain vibration can be done, BUT you have to have a dealer who is willing to go thru the effort to do it. The dealer can call GM and get the equipment sent out I believe and then they run the truck thru the process. It will tell them exactly where the vibration is coming from.

 

Really sounds like to me you have a dealer who isn't wanting to do the work, but if you want to spend the money to file a class action lawsuit that will go no where then that is on you. Not the way I would want to spend my money.

[Newell33]

*** UPDATE****

 

Ok here is where we are at. I was part of a conference call today with the Chief Engineer and 3 of the engineers from the infotainment department. The update is still coming, they have ran into some snags and I will try to explain why.

 

As of right now the MY14, MY15 and MY16 trucks share nothing in common at all in regards to the infotainment system. The hardware is different and the software is different as well. Because of this issue it is why we cant just swap parts over to get features to work across the model years. This is also causing issues for the software update as well. GM is trying to take the software from the MY16 system and use it in the MY14 system, but in order to do that they are having to make changes for it to work correctly. That is what is causing them to take so long as of right now.

 

The reasoning for doing it this way is GM knows they can get the MY14 system working correctly with the software update, they don't want to do a hardware change out and it would take H/W and S/W in order to do handle the process that way.

 

As of right now they are almost done with the software calibration, they are going to get it thru the certification process and hopefully out to the dealers late this year (Nov/Dec). As soon as the update is ready I will know as my truck will be the 1st truck to be tested with the update other than the test trucks I am sure GM is already using. One of the engineers said he knows the issue is there, he drove a MY14 for a year and said he heard the issue just as we do.

 

They said there will be a lot of backend updates in this new software, BUT we will NOT be gaining any new features that we don't already have. So we will not be getting the text feature or any other feature that a MY15/16 truck has that the MY14 trucks done have. What we have now is what we have, this update is mainly designed to correct the multi pathing issue and the dropping in/out from stereo/mono. They did say as of now on the test trucks they have it resolved and it shows to work, as of now it is just a matter of time to get the final calibration written, then validated and certified and then out to the dealers for us to have the update installed.

 

Also they did say the HD radio will be coming back on the trucks for the MY16 trucks, and no I already asked. If you have a MY15 truck there is no way for you to get the HD to work in your trucks, the MY15 trucks are missing some hardware modules so it is not feasible to put HD in the MY15 trucks.

 

That is what I have right now, as soon and I know anything more I will update you all. I am supposed to hear back from them in another 8-10 weeks with another update and or to hopefully get the new calibration installed on my truck.

 

Todd

We appreciate the information. Did you happen to ask why the system wasn't properly tested prior to production? If the system was properly tested, and GM wanted to move forward with production anyways, then why wasn't a fix already in the works?

[WLC]

Thanks Todd for your work on this radio issue! Sounds like better sound is coming.

[Jesse Davidson]

I want to ask, have you actually tried calling GM and having them open a case yet?

 

The vibration analysis process for the drivetrain vibration can be done, BUT you have to have a dealer who is willing to go thru the effort to do it. The dealer can call GM and get the equipment sent out I believe and then they run the truck thru the process. It will tell them exactly where the vibration is coming from.

 

Really sounds like to me you have a dealer who isn't wanting to do the work, but if you want to spend the money to file a class action lawsuit that will go no where then that is on you. Not the way I would want to spend my money.

There is no money spent, class action is contingent based, they only get paid if I'm right, and we win. If they determine it to not be a worthy case per their experts, they say they don't want it, and we go our separate ways.

 

As far as having GM open a case, The dealer had the regional GM rep drive my truck, and admitted that there is drive train vibration, stated that it is "normal operation" and they won't do anything more. so thats where it was left, and I contacted a lawfirm for the overall class action for all of the issues.

 

ohh and I failed to mention, I did tell them point blank that "if this is how they want to leave this, I am going to contact an attorney and file a suit or complaint depending upon what the attorney recommends" so yes, they know, and yes they did have notice that I would do this

Edited August 7, 2015 by Jesse D

[TJay74]

We appreciate the information. Did you happen to ask why the system wasn't properly tested prior to production? If the system was properly tested, and GM wanted to move forward with production anyways, then why wasn't a fix already in the works?

 

My understanding is the system was tested and validated, problem is this really only affects people in dense population areas where there are lots of buildings that cause the multipath issue.

 

Either way it is nice to know that GM is fixing it.

 

Bad is just like Jesse is posting, how many dealers are lazy and just want to say "normal operation" and send the customer on their way. All the dealer has to do is call the TAC center and they will tell them if it is a known issue.

 

Jesse - if you want to PM me your info I would be more than happy to forward it onto the GM contact I have, pretty sure he can assist you and get you some closure. While I understand your frustration as I was in the same boat when my dealer told me the radio reception was normal my first jump wasn't to a lawsuit, it was to skip all of the little people who don't want to take the time and do the right job and I informed Corporate GM (as in the executive leadership) of my concerns.

 

The ball got rolling pretty quick after that. Not telling you how to handle it, but I can say a class action suit will go no where since GM will be able to say a fix is in process, this isn't a safety issue at all nor are any of the other complaints you have and it will just lose traction and go the way side.

 

Up to you, ball is in your court.

[Jesse Davidson]

 

My understanding is the system was tested and validated, problem is this really only affects people in dense population areas where there are lots of buildings that cause the multipath issue.

 

Either way it is nice to know that GM is fixing it.

 

Bad is just like Jesse is posting, how many dealers are lazy and just want to say "normal operation" and send the customer on their way. All the dealer has to do is call the TAC center and they will tell them if it is a known issue.

 

Jesse - if you want to PM me your info I would be more than happy to forward it onto the GM contact I have, pretty sure he can assist you and get you some closure. While I understand your frustration as I was in the same boat when my dealer told me the radio reception was normal my first jump wasn't to a lawsuit, it was to skip all of the little people who don't want to take the time and do the right job and I informed Corporate GM (as in the executive leadership) of my concerns.

 

The ball got rolling pretty quick after that. Not telling you how to handle it, but I can say a class action suit will go no where since GM will be able to say a fix is in process, this isn't a safety issue at all nor are any of the other complaints you have and it will just lose traction and go the way side.

 

Up to you, ball is in your court.

Hey Todd,

I will be more than happy to give you my info to see if that will help get any of the issues solved. That being said, it wasn't my dealer who won't do anything, it is the actual Regional GM Rep, who is saying that they won't authorize it, My dealer agreed with me that they are problems, and even said they have alot of people complaining about them.

 

The regional rep infact had the balls to tell me to drive my truck in "M5" to help reduce some of the vibration that they call "normal operation". just out of curiosity, can anyone remind me why I should have to drive in a particular mode to reduce vibrations that they claim are "normal" to the truck? Driving my truck in "M5" is not "Normal Operation", which by the way, when I tested that for a week, yes it did help to reduce the vibration some, but they were still there, but when doing that, I lost 6 MPG in fuel efficiency.

 

I was so pissed about all this, that I went to try to trade my truck in when it was less than a month old, yes I had my truck into the dealer 2x in less than a month, it was the second time that the regional rep came out and gave all of his decisions about it. and as previously mentioned, thats where it was left, I checked into lemon law, but was informed that it wouldn't help, even though they explicitly stated they wouldn't do any more, so after finding that out, I went to try to get rid of the truck only to find out that the local dealers asked which issue I didn't like, and offered me 32,000 when i should have gotten 44,000-45,000 (truck is cost 59,000 so take away incentives, and a full year depreciation) Sorry GM, but im not losing an extra 26% or approximately 11-12,000.(and im not the only one who is seeing this on a potential trade)

 

At this point the suit isn't just about getting my truck fixed, its about recovering the extra monetary loss that people are seeing (which again, I'm not the only one), forcing GM into figuring out/ doing the fixed for all of the issues on all of the vehicles, but almost as important, showing GM and all other manufacturers that we can and will fight back if they release a shit product and don't fix them. I mean really, in 2 years, they havn't figured it out? I call BS, I bet they know exactly whats wrong, and have determined that it is cheaper to take some lemon law buy backs and lose some customers than it will be to fix the problems. Lastly, the suit is about protecting those of us who do have the vibration, from an engineering stand point, (yes i can talk in this manner because I am an engineer) the more vibration there is, the more wear & fatigue the parts see, the more wear & fatigue they see, the faster they break/ fail, so a truck that my have lasted 200,000 miles may only last 120,000 miles because of the excess vibrations.

 

As for the case potentially going no where, that is on the lawyers, I won't claim to be a lawyer, because I'm not. At this point I would love to get my truck fixed and will be sending you my info, but I am going to have to let the case stand to protect not only myself, but everyone else will the same issues, whether they realize it or not. (some people as I have been told have ignored/ not realized the vibrations, even though they have it.

 

I do appreciate your work and help on the radio issue, but this is how I feel, and where it is going to have to stand for now.

[TJay74]

Send me an email to [email protected] with a run down and your contact info, I will forward it on to him.

[glcbn]

TJ, can't thank you enough for all you have done with this radio deal. Quite frankly I'm surprised (and glad) that GM is still trying to fix this issue being the '14 trucks will be going on 3 years old soon. Production wise anyway.

[WLC]

Radio sucked today! Maybe we will get a Christmas present! GM needs to spend less on TV ads and use that money to fix our radio's.

Edited August 21, 2015 by WLC

[kevaviation30]

This may be a little off subject, but in the tone setting where the truck picture is to adjust fade and balance the circle is never in the center. Either more front or more back. So I'm thinking I'm unable to balance sound correctly. Anybody have that issue? Check your center point on the the diagram.