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Radio Reception Issues

ace ventura

By ace ventura
in Troubleshooting & Recalls

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COLEMANS Enthusiast

COLEMANS

Posted
Posted

Are most people having FM or XM issues? I drop XM around the city everyday no matter the weather, even when not going under a bridge/overpass

Its the FM range is half of what it used to be prior to I believe the 2013 units.

The fact that you cannot turn off "HD" with out it kicking back in when you change a station or two.

And the damn loud ass stupid door chime for the "key in the switch", " seat belt unbuckled", etc. They ran the the chime thru the infotainment system thus it comes thru the speakers and you can not turn it down even thou the radio has a chime volume control, which doesn't work.

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GeorgeMJ Enthusiast

GeorgeMJ

Posted
Posted

I have a 2016 and reception on FM was poor. The Android Auto update fixed the FM problem, now about 95 percent of the older GM radios, hard to tell the difference. AM worked well before the fix, normal compared to older models.

 

The XM can fade in smaller cities because there are no terrestrial "helper" transmitters located in small cities so buildings and trees will block reception. I live near Pittsburgh where ground based transmitters supplement the satellite signals in and around the city, but in my small town there is fading around buildings and trees, no ground based transmitters.

 

From what I understand, 2013 through 2015 may have the most problems with FM reception, maybe others can help there. I don't recall hearing many complaints about AM reception. Maybe check the antenna wiring and connections if having difficulty with both.

sk Senior Enthusiast

sk

Posted
Posted

And the damn loud ass stupid door chime for the "key in the switch", " seat belt unbuckled", etc. They ran the the chime thru the infotainment system thus it comes thru the speakers and you can not turn it down even thou the radio has a chime volume control, which doesn't work.

 

I agree you shouldn't need to do this, but go to http://www.seatbeltextenderpros.com/, put in your year and model, and buy the 3" rigid extender that matches your interior. Costs $20 shipped and you never have to hear that stupid chime again.

doozer78 Enthusiast

doozer78

Posted
Posted

I had a 2014 silverado LT reception was horrible never had a radio that bad I now have a 2015 sierra all terrain with Bose and the radio difference in reception is night and day. I dont know what's different but the reception is about 85% better than the 14 silverado.

F4Gary Enthusiast

F4Gary

Posted
Posted

 

I agree you shouldn't need to do this, but go to http://www.seatbeltextenderpros.com/, put in your year and model, and buy the 3" rigid extender that matches your interior. Costs $20 shipped and you never have to hear that stupid chime again.

How does a seat belt extender silence the door chime?

ShamrockShooter Senior Enthusiast

ShamrockShooter

Posted
Posted

So I got in my father's 16 silverado lt which has no apple carplay and no bose speakers and the FM radio comes in clear as day. I then get in my 16 silverado parked in the same driveway that has apple carplay and the bose speakers and I get nothing but distortion and static on certain FM frequencies. I've already had software updates and the entire antenna system replaced with no improvement. Not sure whether it's worth fighting it anymore.

Npuck215 New Member

Npuck215

Posted
Posted

I have a 2015 silverado crew cab 2wd and i have 2 issues with the radio. 1st is the local rock station 102.9. im in Nashville,TN anyway it only comes in when the ignition is off and before you open the drivers door. But as soon as I turn the ignition on...poof nothing not even static. It's crazy. Its just the basic truck no navigation just the little 4in screen.

2nd issue with the radio is that it has just shuts down and resets the clock but comes back on. That has happened 3 or 4 times in the last 2 years I've had it. But i can say i don't have all the reception issues like I've been reading on here.

  • 3 weeks later...
KCG Enthusiast

KCG

Posted
Posted

I have a 2016 and reception on FM was poor. The Android Auto update fixed the FM problem, now about 95 percent of the older GM radios, hard to tell the difference. AM worked well before the fix, normal compared to older models.

 

 

Hi George, I haven't read all 87 pages here, but what are you referring to with this statement?

The FM reception is terrible in my 14 LT. Do you know a fix for it?

Thanks

GeorgeMJ Enthusiast

GeorgeMJ

Posted
Posted

KCG, the Android Auto update was something that was offered to earlier 2016 owners to match current production. I think it helped the FM poor reception somewhat but I can't be sure since I never tested it with equipment after that. My 2016 radio had poorer performing FM sensitivity, as measured, than other, older GM radios that I tested. From what I've read here, the 2014 and 2015 seem to be very poor. My 2016 Mylink radio has an LG tag on it, and evidently there are many versions if you research on line at resale sites. The AM is "different" than AM receivers that I've had in past vehicles. It seems that there is very little AVC, (automatic volume control), something that was developed in the 1930s, in my Mylink radio on AM. You have to turn the volume up considerably on weak stations. However, the power line buzzing seems to be handled better with this radio, almost as if there was some sort of digital noise reduction. If my FM was as bad as I've heard some are, I would install a modern, small radio for less than $100 under the dash or even hide it, they all come with remotes, and play it through the "AUX" radio input. You can get antenna connector adapters easily and do that since the other types of "add on" antennas are pretty crappy. It seems too expensive to change out the whole system, especially if you have or want the big display. This may teach us to take the vehicle for a good test drive and test the radio as well before we buy. I listen mostly to AM but do listen to FM at times and the HD radio feature in my 2016 LT is really nice. Just make sure to complain about the radio when you go for service, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.....

KCG Enthusiast

KCG

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the reply. Do you know where I might be able to find the specs on these radios? I'd like to compare the FM sensitivity to aftermarket radios. At least then I'd know if its actually a radio problem or something going on with the antenna/lead or some other issue with the truck.

I'm an RF person so I could bring home a small spectrum analyzer to compare the antenna on this truck to my other vehicles (which work tons better by the way).

Another radio under the dash??? now that's thinking outside the box. I sure hope it doesn't come to that but it is amazing how bad the reception is on at least this truck.

My sons 12 Sierra works great, my 15 Traverse just as good. The thought never crossed my mind that during a test drive, I need to check the FM radio for good reception....its a 2014, costs thousands & thousands of dollars, why on earth would the radio reception suck so bad on these trucks?!?!?!?

 

Thanks again for any info.

WLC Enthusiast

WLC

Posted
Posted

Both of my 2014's have very poor reception. In fact, worse than any vehicle I have owned. GM gave me a year's XM in hope a fix will be there by then. Time is running out.

SilveradoSaver Senior Enthusiast

SilveradoSaver

Posted
Posted

I'm going to ask a stupid question...

 

I have a 2015 Silverado and the FM radio seems fine to me. This "HD" radio you are referring to: Is it just what our trucks have, or is there a setting I need to turn on? I don't see any radio tagging on my screen (which I believe I used to in my 2013 GMC Terrain).

 

Thanks.

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