2003 Yukon XL with weird audio problem...

[weasel897]

Good Morning Fellow GM Enthusiasts,

 

My wife's Yukon recently started making some popping noises through the speakers and then loosing sound from the radio. Sometimes when you open any door on the vehicle(after sitting all night), a popping noise can be heard from all speakers. There are usually several pops. Sometimes you can hear the door chimes, other times there are none. There seems to be no issues with starting or normal operation of the vehicle. When the speakers pop, the audio on the radio goes away. The radio power remains on however. Usually after some time, the audio from the radio will fade back on. If the speakers pop again, the sound goes away. Doing this all while the vehicle is on and driving down the road. Sometimes the audio will remain gone for several minutes and sometimes it comes back on immediately and stay on until you get out of the vehicle at your destination.

 

Has anyone ever seen this type of behavior before?

 

Thanks,

Brian

[5Alive]

Sometimes when you open any door on the vehicle(after sitting all night), a popping noise can be heard from all speakers. There are usually several pops. Sometimes you can hear the door chimes, other times there are none. When the speakers pop, the audio on the radio goes away. The radio power remains on however. Usually after some time, the audio from the radio will fade back on. If the speakers pop again, the sound goes away. Sometimes the audio will remain gone for several minutes and sometimes it comes back on immediately and stay on until you get out of the vehicle

 

We might need more details about your 2003 Yukon XL to help you rule out some possibilities.

 

The door opening event that turns power on the radio, or rather powers the amp to the radio (why we need to know more about your vehicle) is normal. The chimes play through the radio speakers, left front in particular, hence the audio system internally powers up on the door opening. And the radio is wired to retained accessory power (RAP), so the radio power remains until the door is opened at the destination, or after a set period of time. So that eliminates door opening events being the issue.

 

But speaker pops are not normal. It could be a connection to an amplifier module under your center console, or a failed module itself. But before guessing any further, provide more details...

 

Is your Yukon XL a Denali?

 

What RPO codes does it have related to audio? Check the label of codes on the flip down door of your glove box for UQ7 and/or Y91. That will tell us if you have an amp under your center console, as well as what type of amp it is.

 

Do you have ANY aftermarket products or wiring? It doesn't matter whether it is connected and working or not. A provision to connect an iPod player? A back up camera? A blue tooth module? An alarm system?

 

Even if the aftermarket device has nothing to do with the radio, sometimes the installation process, and/or the 12v ignition circuits tapped to facilitate the installation, can effect audio systems deleteriously, and oftentimes not right away. Knowing any and everything "extra" you have may provide more clues for diagnosis.

 

If I had to guess, I think you have a harness connection issue between your head unit and your amp under the console. I'm basing this guess on the assumption that you have UQ7. There are many other possibilities though, so post more about what you know, and that may help someone help you better.

[weasel897]

Thanks for your reply.

 

This is not a Denali. As far as I know, it's all original. There are no visible after market parts anywhere. Even the wireless headsets are original to the vehicle.

 

I did find the UQ7 RPO code on the decal inside the glove box. Hopefully this will shed more light on the problem.

 

Thanks,

Brian

[5Alive]

Ok, that is an important confirmation, as it means there is an amp module underneath your center console that does power on with door opening for chimes, and does remain on with Retained Accessory Power, but is NOT a Class 2 data controlled amp.

 

As mentioned earlier, high on the list of suspects are that amp, and/or the wiring to/from that amp, and the radio head unit, and/or the wiring to/from the radio head unit. At least with your confirmation of UQ7, you now know that you have an amp and what kind it is... because you wouldn't want to pull your center console apart to find nothing down there!

 

Good luck with your continued diagnosis..

[weasel897]

Thank you very much for your help! I'll check the amp under the console and report back with any other questions or findings.

 

Brian