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Radio Reception Issues

ace ventura

By ace ventura
in Troubleshooting & Recalls

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tnchevy Senior Enthusiast

tnchevy

Posted
Posted

I have had my truck for a year now and have not really listened much to FM radio mainly because I only drive the truck on the weekends and normally listen to songs on my SD card or XM. Today I tried to tune into a local radio station that I have been listening to for years for sports to catch the Marshall football game. I could hardly pick it up so I tuned to my hometown country station (I was 40 miles away) and it sounded like crap so I tried other stations. Some sounded alright while others were pretty bad. These are the same stations I have listened to my whole life in dozens of other vehicle with no problems. There are no HD stations in my area, the closest are over 2 hours away so that is not an issue for me. Would I be wasting my time taking this issue to my dealer? I only keep XM because I have renewed twice now at $25 for 6 months but if I can't get it for that price I will drop it.

chuckl1218 Senior Enthusiast

chuckl1218

Posted
Posted

Would it be wasting your time taking it to your dealer? Depends upon whether you want to see if there is a calibration that will help. There was a significant calibration that TJay helped bring forward (by working with GM engineers) that affects both HD and non HD (PI1288a). Depending upon your VIN and part numbers of your modules, it could be a hardware and software update or just software. I have an early build Silverado (8/13) and for mine, they replaced my radio plus updated the software. It is MUCH better on all my channels. As usual, I think the results vary, but I now listen to FM consistently with a few minor fades. Before the update the local station that I listen to the most would barely come in. I would take it in...good luck.

tnchevy Senior Enthusiast

tnchevy

Posted
Posted

Yeah, I am going to take it in but after reading most of this thread it appears like you have to coach the dealership on how to fix it. I still can't believe how bad the FM reception and sound is on this thing.

chuckl1218 Senior Enthusiast

chuckl1218

Posted
Posted

Yeah, I am going to take it in but after reading most of this thread it appears like you have to coach the dealership on how to fix it. I still can't believe how bad the FM reception and sound is on this thing.

My service writer knows that I research issues on the forums and appreciates the help, so when I schedule service appointments on line, I include the PI with the problem description if known. He said it helps save them time (radio and HVAC update). And I had previously mentioned the radio issues. He also likes to keep up with solutions to issues because it helps him with other customer's issues so there haven't been any surprises. He is proactive about issues - the Tech Center is in Austin and he frequently reaches out to them for help.

 

I think my experience is somewhat different than others who have posted. Of course, if there is no solution, he has to follow GM guidance. For instance, whenever I see him, the first thing he asks about are my Michelins...smooth as glass...and he uses me as an example when working with other customers on vibration issues where he explains all of the steps they go through. ( I never had vibration, but he knows the Michelins are smooth)

 

The point of all of this is that some dealers may not know about the PI yet, and it helps to point them in the right direction. Other dealers may not take the "nudge" well. Certainly your approach influences this....

Jesse Davidson Enthusiast

Jesse Davidson

Posted
Posted

Would it be wasting your time taking it to your dealer? Depends upon whether you want to see if there is a calibration that will help. There was a significant calibration that TJay helped bring forward (by working with GM engineers) that affects both HD and non HD (PI1288a). Depending upon your VIN and part numbers of your modules, it could be a hardware and software update or just software. I have an early build Silverado (8/13) and for mine, they replaced my radio plus updated the software. It is MUCH better on all my channels. As usual, I think the results vary, but I now listen to FM consistently with a few minor fades. Before the update the local station that I listen to the most would barely come in. I would take it in...good luck.

TJAY is still working on the new software as far as I know

chuckl1218 Senior Enthusiast

chuckl1218

Posted
Posted

TJAY is still working on the new software as far as I know

 

Yes, that's true (I follow TJAY too). I still think that it wouldn't hurt to update to the current PI since it may be several months before the next one is available. And his dealer will know that he has the problem. I am under the impression that he has not reported it yet. Either way, it is not a waste of time if he wants it fixed.

Jesse Davidson Enthusiast

Jesse Davidson

Posted
Posted

Yes, that's true. I still think that it wouldn't hurt to update to the current PI since it may be several months before the next one is available. And his dealer will know that he has the problem. I am under the impression that he has not reported it yet. Either way, it is not a waste of time if he wants it fixed.

I posted in the Vibration thread that it was still in the works. I already have the most current PI, and it is still horrible, I can't even listen to the radio, I'm relegated to XM

chuckl1218 Senior Enthusiast

chuckl1218

Posted
Posted

Yeah, I am going to take it in but after reading most of this thread it appears like you have to coach the dealership on how to fix it. I still can't believe how bad the FM reception and sound is on this thing.

And as you can see from Jesse D's comments, there are varying degrees of success with this PI1288a...mine works now, but evidently his isn't after the most current PI.

tnchevy Senior Enthusiast

tnchevy

Posted
Posted

The build date on my truck is Dec 2013 even though I bought it in Sept of 2014. I wish it had not taken me a year to figure out I had a problem with the radio but only driving it once or twice a week I pretty much stayed on XM or SD card because I never had either one before. It will probably be a couple of weeks or more before I can get a chance to bring it in to a dealer to get looked at. I will bring in the P code with me. It sounds like from reading this thread that I will probably need a new radio unit and update but not sure. It is funny because I drove my truck today instead of my work truck because it is in the shop and all I did the whole ride in was scan radio stations. I noticed that some stations come in decent, especially the ones close to me but the station I listen to them most in my work truck is local and sounds fine but sounds like crap on my truck. Sound kind of hollow with not much definition if that makes sense.

Jesse Davidson Enthusiast

Jesse Davidson

Posted
Posted

The build date on my truck is Dec 2013 even though I bought it in Sept of 2014. I wish it had not taken me a year to figure out I had a problem with the radio but only driving it once or twice a week I pretty much stayed on XM or SD card because I never had either one before. It will probably be a couple of weeks or more before I can get a chance to bring it in to a dealer to get looked at. I will bring in the P code with me. It sounds like from reading this thread that I will probably need a new radio unit and update but not sure. It is funny because I drove my truck today instead of my work truck because it is in the shop and all I did the whole ride in was scan radio stations. I noticed that some stations come in decent, especially the ones close to me but the station I listen to them most in my work truck is local and sounds fine but sounds like crap on my truck. Sound kind of hollow with not much definition if that makes sense.

volume fades and you lose all highs... atleast thats what mine does

 

I'm about ready to pull this unit out and have a direct fit alpine put in and send GM the bill saying I fixed the problem myself hahaha

WLC Enthusiast

WLC

Posted
Posted

And as you can see from Jesse D's comments, there are varying degrees of success with this PI1288a...mine works now, but evidently his isn't after the most current PI.

 

if it like the headlight upgrade it's a waste of our time! How about it GM,lifetime XM or fix our radio's! Not really what I want but enough is enought!
TJay74 Senior Enthusiast

TJay74

Posted
Posted

Headlight upgrade was worthless??? Mine was great, headlights are noticeable brighter and cast out very well on the roads.

 

and who would want XM for life, I for one wouldn't as they are one of the most shady companies out there to do business with. GM is working on the radio, as I have said earlier this is not an easy fix as you cant just replace the until with another brand or manufacture do to the integration of how it ties into the other systems. It is not backwards compatible with the 2015/16 truck systems either.

 

I should be hearing something in the next 4-5 weeks in regards to the new calibration, hopefully I will have some news at that time.

WLC Enthusiast

WLC

Posted
Posted

Had my trucks side by side,one with the update and the other with 9011's that I put in.Could not tell any difference between trucks. Maybe going led replacements later. Hope my radio gets fixed better!

chuckl1218 Senior Enthusiast

chuckl1218

Posted
Posted

My Silvy didn't need or qualify for the headlight upgrade (since it is only for GMC), but the previous calibration PI for the radio made a big difference for FM reception in my truck. I know there have been varying results with the update, but well worth the effort to me (new hardware and software).

 

As a side benefit, I ended up with a new 1 year free XM trial when they replaced my radio hardware too! XM customer service said my "new Cadillac radio" came with 1 year free trial. I found this out when I went to transfer the new radio ID to my account...I was advised to cancel the account, take a refund and call them back when the free trial expires. Still enjoying the free trial for another month...somehow I don't think this was part of GM's plan, but I'll take it!

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