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FM radio fades

17K views 23 replies 17 participants last post by  pltctycanyon  
#1 ·
My FM radio fades in and out all the time, I posted in audio but doesn't seem to be getting much attention. Have had to the dealer three times and they blame weak transmission from the stations and cant reproduce the problem. I can reproduce the problem at will but they will not ride with me to see for themselves. My question here more than anything is how many of you are experiencing the same issue.
 
#4 ·
My reception is good if I stay local, but I have noticed that the range is not as strong as on my old Canyon. I used to be have a good signal when I head up North, now it starts to cut out at almost 1/2 the distance. I switch to my USB so it hasn't fazed me too much. I blame it on the short antenna on the roof versus the old style mast.
 
#5 ·
There is a problem with our radios. I'm a radio station manager, and I can be at my tower looking at my meters and I'm in stereo and my radio just goes to mono and fades. Gm knows about the problem, but make sure you tell them too. Hit the I star button and start there telling them about it. I'm hoping a patch will come out. As a radio station manager, this issue affects me tremendously!!!!
 
#6 · (Edited)
I believe it's an antenna issue. Have your station engineer check it out at the incoming lead.. GM changed the radio antenna in the new twins. It's not worth a :censored: even compared with the windshield antennas they use. Also, they are very susceptible to multipath which accounts for the fade and going from stereo to mono and back even with a strong signal. I doubt if they are even tuned 1/4 or 1/8th wave.
 
#7 ·
Yes, without a doubt, the current antennas arent worth the cost of the mounting screws holding it all in place. Im only waiting till the weather comes around in spring time, then I definitely plan to swap out the existing one....with or without GM getting around to addressing the problem.
 
#11 ·
Mine is horrible. Fades in and out right in town where the radio stations are. Replaced base radio with Kenwood. Still the same issue. Dealer says they haven't had any reports of problems.
 
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#13 ·
Whoops……..I spoke to soon. After driving the first week with the “stubby” I didn’t notice any reception issues. The second week was a totally different story, FM would go completely quiet at times. What the difference was I have no clue but I have reinstalled my roof fishing pole back. Went back to the dealer to complain yet again, was told they would check in to replacing the antenna assembly. Is anyone with a 2016 having reception issues? I will also be testing the stubby guaranteed reception warranty.
 
#14 ·
I did some research and found out my problem was my phone charger. It seriously messed up my reception. I have put my fishing pole back on as i live out in the country and the stubby junior seemed to have just a little less reception. I have it for sale. 20.00 shipped
 
#18 ·
Not sure if this is your issue, but I've seen elsewhere that interference to the radio could be caused by LED and/or HID lights. A ferrite coil can often solve that problem.
Google "led lights cause radio interference"
 
#19 ·
I just gotten my truck back today after the dealer had it for two days fixing a few things and the hvac recall. The service guy told me he didn't see or know of any updates for the radio, i dont know if he was just trying to give me the run around but I do have to go back next week for them to replace the seat base due to the fake leather ripping so i i'll asking them again then.
 
#21 ·
'16 canyon BOSE...no am/fm radio issues other than unable to pull stations in from 60 miles away like my mazda can. surprised they don't use hd radios....no i'm not. these trucks should have total LED lights throughout too, and the dim headlights for DRL is so 90's. blind spot monitor should also be standard but ...not even an option. GM is really behind the technology curve or pushing it to the caddy division claiming as luxury items
 
#22 ·
surprised they don't use hd radios....no i'm not.
It's funny you mention this...

My wife bought a '16 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in July. Driving home behind her one day, she calls and says that her radio sounds terrible. The volume keeps changing, and she wants me to turn off the auto volume adjustment feature. I turned it off, but noticed the volume kept going up and down, no matter if I was on or off the throttle, going fast or slow. Then I noticed the HD symbol was going on and off. When it was on, it sounded very clear and loud. When it was off, it sounded muddy and quiet. I turned off the HD, and the volume and sound quality stay consistent, if not as good as when HD is locked in.

About a month later, I bought my '16 Colorado. I noticed the sound quality and volume levels constantly changing, and I began looking for the setting to turn off the HD. I quickly realized that it wasn't in fact HD. I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks the FM is crap in this truck. It sounds fine using my iPod, so I knew it wasn't the speakers. When I bought a W/T with the 4" display, I was told that the LT with the larger screen had more problems with the radio, so I didn't feel too bad about buying the cheaper truck. I guess it would be nice to have the Sirius/XM, though.
 
#24 ·
[I was told that the LT with the larger screen had more problems with the radio,
mine came with the bose, great sound when playing mp3's. actually nothing wrong with the fm/am for what it is. yea theres better out there but i don't expect much from gm.
in 3 yrs its gone anyway. i'll see what they can do at that time.
may consider the honda if they change the front end look