More THX nav weirdness

joegr

joegr

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The radio part of my nav on my 2006 LS mostly hasn't worked for a while now. Often when I try it, I get the same loud hum or buzzing on all channels and no hint of reception. (It's not like the antenna's disconnected.) Also, sometimes I can turn the key off and then back on and it will work the rest of the trip.

Anyway, this morning it was working, sort of. Every station was this one particular NPR station. The channel display (preset and frequency) would change to anything I set it to, but the reception was still always this one NPR station. It was coming in loud and clear.

I not looking for solutions here (I know the answer, replace head unit). I just thought I would point out this odd behavior.
 
I get the same type of weird reception that you describe. Do you drive with the roof open or the rear raised? That seems to exasperate the problem. For some inexplicable reason (there are no wires there) hitting the center of the headliner behind the sunroof clears the reception right up. It may take a couple or 3 pops. A friend had that "amplifier" that is in-line just before the plug replaced and it cured their problem. I am afraid to replace mine as I'm unsure how well that conductive epoxy I used to reattach the connection to the rear window will hold up.
 
I always drive with all the windows closed.
I am convinced (rightly or wrongly is yet to be determined) that my issue is not reception as in the antenna. I now even more strongly believe that it is internal to the headunit and that somehow the digital commands to the tuner module are not making it there or the tuner is internally defective in some way. BTW, the CD changer jammed a long time ago - but who uses CDs anymore anyway...

I haven't decided what to do about it.
The options I am considering are.

1. Take it apart and attempt to repair it.
2. Replace with used THX nav headunit.
3. Replace with aftermarket navigation headunit.
4. [default] Do nothing.

Option 4 is acceptable so far because I mostly just listen to my iPOD via direct in adapter. That still mostly works (it just crashes now and then). There are no good local radio stations anyway.
 
Joe, you have much more patience than I would with that. It would have driven me nuts long ago.
 
joegr said:
The options I am considering are.

1. Take it apart and attempt to repair it.
2. Replace with used THX nav headunit.
3. Replace with aftermarket navigation headunit.
4. [default] Do nothing.

Option 4 is acceptable so far because I mostly just listen to my iPOD via direct in adapter. That still mostly works (it just crashes now and then). There are no good local radio stations anyway.
Click to expand...
I would suggest Option 1, as that is the Engineering Way (unless you're my an EE of the same stripe as my dad, who will spend six hours figuring out a work-around to avoid going to the store to replace a $0.50 part).

Personally, I'd go with Option 4 until the whole thing goes up in smoke, and for the same reasons. Terrestrial radio is basically a lost cause...
 
As this is the cheapest option, why not give the headliner a good thump left of center behind the sunroof. Who knows.........

I will be using CDs in the near future as I am totally fed up with the has-been DJs that keep talking over the songs and advertising on Sirius! I consider all the "public service" crap to be advertising. I really don't care where a group is playing or the history behind a group/song!
 
LS4me said:
As this is the cheapest option, why not give the headliner a good thump left of center behind the sunroof. Who knows.........

I will be using CDs in the near future as I am totally fed up with the has-been DJs that keep talking over the songs and advertising on Sirius! I consider all the "public service" crap to be advertising. I really don't care where a group is playing or the history behind a group/song!
Click to expand...

Kindly explain how something in the headliner would cause the radio to always tune to 90.3 MHz, even while displaying other presets and frequencies? I've no doubt the problem is within the headunit.
 
did you try moving your PIE adapter and see if that works for you. i got alot of issues when i installed mines the first time similar issues like your having also sometimes the radio would turn off or not turn on. i removed the PIE adapter and it worked fine. then i concluded that the wires in the back where getting pinched or something since there isnt any room back there so i did better wire management by running the wires aound the metal bar that goes accross and installing the pie unit on the passenger side next to the cigarette lighter. no issues since i did that.

PS i also added this to make my system bluetooth.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-Ca...luetooth_Adapters_Dongles&hash=item231c5a05ec
 
No, I have not recently disconnected my PIE adapter, but I do toggle power to it when it crashes.

My PIE adapter is not behind the headunit, so there are no space issues. (It's down under the ash tray, sort of.)
 
joegr said:
No, I have not recently disconnected my PIE adapter, but I do toggle power to it when it crashes.

My PIE adapter is not behind the headunit, so there are no space issues. (It's down under the ash tray, sort of.)
Click to expand...

Solution: Get a MKS with Sync/Nav and THX ;)

The THX in the MKS was rated second best audio system 2nd only to the $6000 optional Bang & Olf in the Audi. Really an amazing sounding system. 14 speakers, 5.1 surround. Hard drive to download as much music as you probably own. But hey, you got rwd ;)
 
Fla02LS said:
Solution: Get a MKS with Sync/Nav and THX ;)

The THX in the MKS was rated second best audio system 2nd only to the $6000 optional Bang & Olf in the Audi. Really an amazing sounding system. 14 speakers, 5.1 surround. Hard drive to download as much music as you probably own. But hey, you got rwd ;)
Click to expand...

I would like to have both, the MKS audio, and the LS handling and performance. Since both are not available in my price range, I had to settle for one of the two. Handling and performance was more important to me. The LS is a good car to be a driver in, the MKS is a good car to be a passenger in. Perhaps some day when I can no longer maintain the LS, I will be able to find A Jag or something that can give me both.
 
joegr said:
I would like to have both, the MKS audio, and the LS handling and performance. Since both are not available in my price range, I had to settle for one of the two. Handling and performance was more important to me. The LS is a good car to be a driver in, the MKS is a good car to be a passenger in. Perhaps some day when I can no longer maintain the LS, I will be able to find A Jag or something that can give me both.
Click to expand...

Think you can get the newer Taurus SHO with the same sync/nav THX? Might be wrong. The new SHO is a beast of a car.

No longer being able to maintain the LS is just a matter of time getting closer and closer. Really great plan, horrible execution with the LS. Honestly getting in a wreck and totaling the LS was really the best option i could have hoped for. Thankfully nobody involved in the accident was hurt so i feel i can say what happened was a "good" thing. My LS recently developed an oil leak from somewhere unknown and twice recently i came home and had about a 6-8inch stain of tranny fluid in my driveway. This after getting the new tranny earlier this year. Took to dealer and they could find no source of a trans fluid leak. Well how did it get there? And i am 200% positive it was the new tranny fluid because it was a nice clean pink color. Now correct me if im wrong, the power steering also uses tranny fluid but a leak wouldnt be the perfectly new pink color. I was so happy to get get rid of the LS, not because of the car itself but the nonsense and repairs that went with it. Never owned a car that had so many problems and repairs as the LS. And not normal wear and tear issues, but nonsense issues.
 
joegr said:
Kindly explain how something in the headliner would cause the radio to always tune to 90.3 MHz, even while displaying other presets and frequencies? I've no doubt the problem is within the headunit.
Click to expand...

I have no idea as there is nothing there connected to the radio. For some reason it helps my reception.

I just reread your initial post more carefully. My solution helps reception accross the spectrum; I don't have the station problem....
 
SoonerLS said:
You can get Sync/Nav on the SHO, but the THX-II certified sound system is a Lincoln exclusive.
Click to expand...


Well i guess nobody here will ever enjoy the bliss of the THX-II since they would have to actually drive a fwd car. Oh well.
 
joegr -- i think we both have it on the same location. i wouldnt hurt to remove the PIE and test if you still have the same issue atlest you eliminated all posible problem points and you can then go with the option to replace the HU.
 
FLA02LS--- i just test drove a 2013 and a 2012 MKS the active drive system makes a huge difference. when income tax comes it may be time for a new car. im thinking 2009 mks awd.
 
Im not gonna lie, I'll be keeping my eye out for an Ecoboost MKS for the right price, but after the 13 GT I drove a few weeks ago, I really realize how much i hate automatic transmissions and cant have anymore, not to mention after having a couple LS's and a Mark I'm kinda tired of having almost fast'ish cars and really want something that actually have parts I can buy to make it balls out fast!
 
i upgraded my head unit due to a lading error message when i put in a cd, now it does the same with the aftermarket stereo... so annoying
 
chocolat1701 said:
joegr -- i think we both have it on the same location. i wouldnt hurt to remove the PIE and test if you still have the same issue atlest you eliminated all posible problem points and you can then go with the option to replace the HU.
Click to expand...

I might get to it, but I think I'm just going to wait for complete (or worse) failure before I pull it out again.
 
Dang you Joegr, this morning my local oldie's station was playing country and about flipped out thinking my radio pooped...
 
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