Radio Problem

AlphaTeam · 03-31-2006, 09:47 AM

OK I'm getting pissed.
I'm having this nasty rattle/staic noise on my radio.
At first I thought it was my Sirius radio, but I also get it on AM radio and my Ipod.
I get it mostly on the talk stations.
So I took it in to one dealership and they replaced the center speaker. That is where it sounded like the noise came from.
That didn't fix it, then they replaced the amp. That didnt' fix it.
I was pissed about this repair also. They give me my car after putting the new amp in and say "here ya go its all set" I pull out of the garge and dont' leave the parking lot. I STILL hear it. I pull back in and talk to the service lady and she says "I didn't hear it the first time, but I did AFTER they replaced the amp". So thanks...you give it to me and don't tell me you didn't fix it.
So then they say.."Well I'm going to wait until we get another Prius in and see if we can replicate the problem"
That was like 3 weeks ago. So I go to a different dealer and they guy says that if I want them to work on it I will have to pay for it. He says since it isnt' on the FM and most people listen to FM that since I listen to talk radio that it is my problem. That if they start to replace items and they are not bad that I will have to pay for it. Eventhough the problem is noticeable from THREE different sources that it is somehow MY fault because I listen to talk.

So I got one place that won't help and another that wants to charge me because I listen to talk radio. I called the first place says they are still researching my issue. What can I do?

etyler88 · 03-31-2006, 09:52 AM

You need to go up the chain of command. Ask to talk to a regional service rep and complain loudly in front of other service customers, it stinks but the squeky wheel gets the oil.

200Volts · 03-31-2006, 12:47 PM

I have 77k miles on my 04 and the AM radio reception is about half of the range versus new. It is definitely caused by static from the MG. At full stop it's OK, but in accel or regen static is created. Try coasting in regen the slip it into neutral, if the static goes away it's MG noise.
I'm not going to pay for a MG rebuild or replace so my options are:
Replace radio, replace antenna booster(I think DanMan32 mentioned this somewhere) , add noise filter before radio or add noise filter before antenna filter.
I have the single CD radio ( package #6)

AlphaTeam · 03-31-2006, 12:50 PM

My 2006 has 5000 miles on it. It did this with 100 miles on it.
Stoping, moving, coasting, whatever...still I get a buzzing noise.

seeh2o · 03-31-2006, 01:15 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(200Volts @ Mar 31 2006, 12:47 PM) [snapback]233002[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

It is definitely caused by static from the MG.
[/b]

What is MG?

mikepaul · 03-31-2006, 01:32 PM

Magnetic Generator, maybe?

I recall warnings about resistorless spark plugs causing whine on AM, but that goes back a while.

I also think lack of shielding in my Prius causes radio interference, but I almost never switch to AM so it's no big deal.

If FM was affected, I'd be at the dealer every day until it was fixed...

aaf709 · 03-31-2006, 01:42 PM

Does the rattle/static come from all speakers or one? I'm asking that as I had a rattle coming from the passenger's door which turned out to be a pair of chopsticks sitting in the pocket.

ScottY · 03-31-2006, 03:16 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(seeh2o @ Mar 31 2006, 01:15 PM) [snapback]233021[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

What is MG?
[/b]

Motor/generators in the Prius.

When regen braking occurs, current will be drawn from the M/Gs therefore creating electro-magnetic fields (interference). I hear a very low volume high pitch noise from the radio (mostly AM) when I brake too. But doesn't bother me enough to bring it to the dealer.

Mystery Squid · 03-31-2006, 03:26 PM

I wonder... I have a seemingly similar problem in my '04, non-JBL

It only occurs with CD's though.

After about an hour of continuous use, I'll get a:

sktch
sktch
sktch
sktch
sktch

noise, making CD use unbearable. It seems like it happens when the head unit gets hot after continued use, or if the cabin is unusually hot, it expresses itself earlier.

Probably isn't related, but who knows...

AlphaTeam · 03-31-2006, 03:34 PM

No it comes from all the speakers.
The more bass the voice has the more it buzzes.
I have yet to try voice audio from a CD.
That is a thought too.
Music it is fine.
The closest I can relate the sound to is if the sound output from your computer is cranked up AND the speakers are cranked up. You get that cut out/crackle because of too much gain.

But what gets me is one place keeps ignoring me and the other dealer in town says because I listen to talk and most people don't listen to talk it is my problem and I have to pay for it to be fixed.

03-31-2006, 09:47 AM	#1
AlphaTeam Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 631 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	OK I'm getting pissed. I'm having this nasty rattle/staic noise on my radio. At first I thought it was my Sirius radio, but I also get it on AM radio and my Ipod. I get it mostly on the talk stations. So I took it in to one dealership and they replaced the center speaker. That is where it sounded like the noise came from. That didn't fix it, then they replaced the amp. That didnt' fix it. I was pissed about this repair also. They give me my car after putting the new amp in and say "here ya go its all set" I pull out of the garge and dont' leave the parking lot. I STILL hear it. I pull back in and talk to the service lady and she says "I didn't hear it the first time, but I did AFTER they replaced the amp". So thanks...you give it to me and don't tell me you didn't fix it. So then they say.."Well I'm going to wait until we get another Prius in and see if we can replicate the problem" That was like 3 weeks ago. So I go to a different dealer and they guy says that if I want them to work on it I will have to pay for it. He says since it isnt' on the FM and most people listen to FM that since I listen to talk radio that it is my problem. That if they start to replace items and they are not bad that I will have to pay for it. Eventhough the problem is noticeable from THREE different sources that it is somehow MY fault because I listen to talk. So I got one place that won't help and another that wants to charge me because I listen to talk radio. I called the first place says they are still researching my issue. What can I do? __________________ 2006 Classic Silver Metallic with Package 7 12-9-05

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03-31-2006, 09:52 AM	#2
etyler88 etyler88 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 443 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	You need to go up the chain of command. Ask to talk to a regional service rep and complain loudly in front of other service customers, it stinks but the squeky wheel gets the oil.

03-31-2006, 12:47 PM	#3
200Volts Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Northern CA Posts: 345 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have 77k miles on my 04 and the AM radio reception is about half of the range versus new. It is definitely caused by static from the MG. At full stop it's OK, but in accel or regen static is created. Try coasting in regen the slip it into neutral, if the static goes away it's MG noise. I'm not going to pay for a MG rebuild or replace so my options are: Replace radio, replace antenna booster(I think DanMan32 mentioned this somewhere) , add noise filter before radio or add noise filter before antenna filter. I have the single CD radio ( package #6)

03-31-2006, 12:50 PM	#4
AlphaTeam Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 631 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	My 2006 has 5000 miles on it. It did this with 100 miles on it. Stoping, moving, coasting, whatever...still I get a buzzing noise.

03-31-2006, 01:32 PM	#6
mikepaul Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,655 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Magnetic Generator, maybe? I recall warnings about resistorless spark plugs causing whine on AM, but that goes back a while. I also think lack of shielding in my Prius causes radio interference, but I almost never switch to AM so it's no big deal. If FM was affected, I'd be at the dealer every day until it was fixed...

03-31-2006, 01:42 PM	#7
aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,831 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Does the rattle/static come from all speakers or one? I'm asking that as I had a rattle coming from the passenger's door which turned out to be a pair of chopsticks sitting in the pocket.

03-31-2006, 03:26 PM	#9
Mystery Squid Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 3 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I wonder... I have a seemingly similar problem in my '04, non-JBL It only occurs with CD's though. After about an hour of continuous use, I'll get a: sktch sktch sktch sktch sktch noise, making CD use unbearable. It seems like it happens when the head unit gets hot after continued use, or if the cabin is unusually hot, it expresses itself earlier. Probably isn't related, but who knows...

03-31-2006, 03:34 PM	#10
AlphaTeam Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 631 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	No it comes from all the speakers. The more bass the voice has the more it buzzes. I have yet to try voice audio from a CD. That is a thought too. Music it is fine. The closest I can relate the sound to is if the sound output from your computer is cranked up AND the speakers are cranked up. You get that cut out/crackle because of too much gain. But what gets me is one place keeps ignoring me and the other dealer in town says because I listen to talk and most people don't listen to talk it is my problem and I have to pay for it to be fixed.