Stereo crackle?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Glendale Heights IL
Stereo crackle?
At certain times, which are completely random, I will hear a loud crackling sound coming from the speakers. It has occured when I first get into the car and sometimes on long drives. Can't really pin it down. I've tried to turn the volume down and even turn the radio off, but it still occurs. It usually lasts about 5-30 seconds, and then goes away.
This is a stock Bose CD player from the factory. Any clues or similiar experiences?
This is a stock Bose CD player from the factory. Any clues or similiar experiences?
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
Re: Stereo crackle? (Dual)
Well, mine crackles- seems like it might have something to do with the signal strength. I especially hear it if I'm listening to a talk station and turn the volume up. Almost sounds like electrical noise but it does not run in pitch with the engine. Sometimes it is worse than other times.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX, USA
Re: Stereo crackle? (silversky)
I'm experiencing the same thing in my 2001 Coupe... some kind of electrical crackling noise, not related to the speakers - everything sounds fine when I listen to a CD. The noise increases with volume but doesn't change pitch and is intermittent. It is most noticable during talk shows or just the DJ talking, and seems more common in the lower FM band... REALLY annoying though... The dealer sent it off to be "repaired or replaced" and they claimed they put a new one back in and it still crackled... Then, they tried to tell me it was normal, and that the 5 other C5's they had in for service did the same thing - I asked to listen to one when I went to pick my car up, and the 99 Vert they had in there did NOT make any kind of crackling noise on the same station. Only then did they admit to the problem and they are supposed to be looking into it now... Kinda upset by the service, and the fact that they tried to tell me Chevrolet sold me a $45K car with a bad radio! Anybody out there experiencing this as well? I'll let you know what the dealer comes back with next time...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Re: Stereo crackle? (Dual)
I had similar intermittent static on my 1989 with Bose Premium upon delivery. Numerous trips to the dealer. No fix. Calls to Bolling Green yielded trouble shooting advice relating to regrounding the antenna and much of the electrical system. Did that. Nothing stopped the intermittent static.
Finally, the dealer authorized ME to take the car to a radio repair facitlity, where I took their tech for a ride and demoed the problem. He pulled the radio and bench tested its electronics; found a bad board in the radio; replaced the board and reinstalled the radio. Static was gone and never recurred.
Took half a day of my time. But solved the problem. Direct dealing with the radio repair facility was the magic. They knew I'd be camped out in their waiting room until they solved the problem.
From the number of problems with the Bose reported on this thread, it appears that bad boards may be suspect.
Ranger
[Modified by Ranger, 7:40 PM 9/12/2001]
Finally, the dealer authorized ME to take the car to a radio repair facitlity, where I took their tech for a ride and demoed the problem. He pulled the radio and bench tested its electronics; found a bad board in the radio; replaced the board and reinstalled the radio. Static was gone and never recurred.
Took half a day of my time. But solved the problem. Direct dealing with the radio repair facility was the magic. They knew I'd be camped out in their waiting room until they solved the problem.
From the number of problems with the Bose reported on this thread, it appears that bad boards may be suspect.
Ranger
[Modified by Ranger, 7:40 PM 9/12/2001]
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 14,542
Likes: 5
Re: Stereo crackle? (Dual)
Dual:
Here are my .02 cents.
If you have it at any volume, including really, really low, here is the TSB info:
"Door Rattle with Moderate to High Audio System Volume (Insulate Door Components) TSB#01-08-64-009
1997-2001 Chevrolet Corvette
Condition: Some customers may comment on a rattle or buzzing from the doors with moderate to high system volume.
Cause: Amplitude of the audio system may cause door parts to rattle and vibrate.
Correction: Follow the service procedures below to correct the noise concerns.
Remove both door trim panels. Refer to Trim Panel Replacement - Doors in the Service Manual.
Important: There have been multiple production changes throughout the production of this vehicle. The VIN
breakpoints are listed with the repair procedures below to indicate which vehicles will require the procedure specified."
The whole TSB is pretty long, so I won't bother posting it. Let me know the last part of your VIN number and I can post the specific procedure outlined -- believe it or not in some cases (like mine), it's the silly little BOSE (tm) emblem buzzing -- next time you hear it, push on it and see what happens.
Hope this helps. :smash:
Here are my .02 cents.
If you have it at any volume, including really, really low, here is the TSB info:
"Door Rattle with Moderate to High Audio System Volume (Insulate Door Components) TSB#01-08-64-009
1997-2001 Chevrolet Corvette
Condition: Some customers may comment on a rattle or buzzing from the doors with moderate to high system volume.
Cause: Amplitude of the audio system may cause door parts to rattle and vibrate.
Correction: Follow the service procedures below to correct the noise concerns.
Remove both door trim panels. Refer to Trim Panel Replacement - Doors in the Service Manual.
Important: There have been multiple production changes throughout the production of this vehicle. The VIN
breakpoints are listed with the repair procedures below to indicate which vehicles will require the procedure specified."
The whole TSB is pretty long, so I won't bother posting it. Let me know the last part of your VIN number and I can post the specific procedure outlined -- believe it or not in some cases (like mine), it's the silly little BOSE (tm) emblem buzzing -- next time you hear it, push on it and see what happens.
Hope this helps. :smash:
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX, USA
Re: Stereo crackle? (EHS)
Just to clarify, the problem I'm getting with my stereo is ONLY radio based - CD Player works fine... The dealer, in attempt to find the problem, took off the speaker panels, and ended up creating the "Bose emblem" rattle problem, which they did fix later... but the Radio crackle is still there...and it gets louder and softer, following the volume of the stereo... Any and all of your helps IS appreciated! 
Thanks guys!
Thanks guys!
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 14,542
Likes: 5
Re: Stereo crackle? (Big_J)
Big J:
Sounds like yours is a different issue, and definitely circuitry related. I was reacting to Dual's comment "I've tried to turn the volume down and even turn the radio off, but it still occurs...", which seems to me it might be the speaker issue, rather than the head-end.
Don't know about trouble shooting the radio, other than replacing the whole unit.
[Modified by EHS, 1:40 AM 9/13/2001]
Sounds like yours is a different issue, and definitely circuitry related. I was reacting to Dual's comment "I've tried to turn the volume down and even turn the radio off, but it still occurs...", which seems to me it might be the speaker issue, rather than the head-end.
Don't know about trouble shooting the radio, other than replacing the whole unit.
[Modified by EHS, 1:40 AM 9/13/2001]
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 5
From: Satellite Beach, FL, USA
Re: Stereo crackle? (EHS)
If the problem is ONLY when the radio is played the problem could be the Head Unit (HU), the antennas themselves, one of the two antenna modules, RAM and ABM or the cables and wires feeding them.
If the problem is on HU CD/cassette AND radio, then it could be the Bose Signal Processor (BSP) or the HU.
If the problem is out of one subwoofer ONLY, then the problem may be the subwoofer or sub-amp.
If the problem is out of BOTH subwoofers, then the problem may be the BSP or power feeding the sub-amps.
If the problem is one or more of the four Bose Twiddler speakers, then it could be the, speaker, BSP or the HU.
If the problem is on HU CD/cassette AND radio, then it could be the Bose Signal Processor (BSP) or the HU.
If the problem is out of one subwoofer ONLY, then the problem may be the subwoofer or sub-amp.
If the problem is out of BOTH subwoofers, then the problem may be the BSP or power feeding the sub-amps.
If the problem is one or more of the four Bose Twiddler speakers, then it could be the, speaker, BSP or the HU.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 0
From: Hollywood Riviera
Re: Stereo crackle? (99HT)
My 2 cents. I have the same problem on my 01 coupe. It sound like ignition noise. It happens only with the radio. Time for a recall. How about it GM? :confused:
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX, USA
Re: Stereo crackle? (99HT)
Thanks for the info, I have a feeling it is the Head Unit itself, BUT the dealer said they put a new stereo in it the last time I brought it in and it still crackles... Now I'm not to sure I believe the dealer, but if they did in fact put in a new unit, any other thoughts? The crackle does come out of all the speakers...Thanks!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Glendale Heights IL
Re: Stereo crackle? (EHS)
I don't have my VIN readily available, but I will post it. Let me add this to the CF. A couple days ago, it started to happen right when I got home. Since I knew that turning the volume down or turning the radio off didn't work, I decided to pull a fast one on the radio. So, I turned the car off and took the key out. Guess what, it was still cracklin' :(
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX, USA
Re: Stereo crackle? (Green Hornet)
I get it listening to NPR too! That's actually the most noticable and most annoying times! Radio music seems ok, but its still crackling, the music just drowns it out... Anyway, I've actually got an update on this - my dealer called the technicians "tech support" line and they hadn't heard anything and the asked the dealer to pull the radio and send it to them... So, the dealer pulled my radio yesterday and we'll see what happens now... As for now, I'm driving around with a gaping hole in my console!! Gotta love this!
Gotta love this!
