Strange HD radio (no sound from rear speakers)

[Wiles]

Please help. I just took redelivery of my Z4 with the upgraded (top version) Audio system. Sound system which worked fine on the Euro Delivery now experiencing problems. I noticed when driving with FM there is no sound from the speakers other than doors and front foot wells. Changing fader front to back goes from crappy sound to no sound on full rearward setting.

After a hour of messing I hooked up my iPhone/iPod and sounds great. Full sound everywhere. Tried CD as input it worked great too. Sat radio (not yet activated) sound fair on the continuous promo channel. Then the strange behavior. Switched back to FM and had sound from rear for a few moments.

Finally found the setting to turn off HD radio and just use FM analog. Full sound restored. Tried two stations, both large local channels. Same problem. With HD checked, no rear sound, with unchecked, ie HD off, all speakers work.

Reading manual only confirmed issue, no solutions.

So it appears HD radio part of head unit is not working correctly

Appointment next week to have the dealer examine it, but wanted to see if anyone had similar problems, and what was their solution.

Thanks

[zedguy]

I had a similar issue with my Z in that there was very little sound coming from the rear speakers when I was playing with the fader control. Took it to the dealer and took them a full week to diagnose and replace the amp was bad. Hope it helps

[gtrek79]

Originally Posted by wiles335i

Please help. I just took redelivery of my Z4 with the upgraded (top version) Audio system. Sound system which worked fine on the Euro Delivery now experiencing problems. I noticed when driving with FM there is no sound from the speakers other than doors and front foot wells. Changing fader front to back goes from crappy sound to no sound on full rearward setting.

After a hour of messing I hooked up my iPhone/iPod and sounds great. Full sound everywhere. Tried CD as input it worked great too. Sat radio (not yet activated) sound fair on the continuous promo channel. Then the strange behavior. Switched back to FM and had sound from rear for a few moments.

Finally found the setting to turn off HD radio and just use FM analog. Full sound restored. Tried two stations, both large local channels. Same problem. With HD checked, no rear sound, with unchecked, ie HD off, all speakers work.

Reading manual only confirmed issue, no solutions.

So it appears HD radio part of head unit is not working correctly

Appointment next week to have the dealer examine it, but wanted to see if anyone had similar problems, and what was their solution.

Thanks

Mine is doing exactly the same thing so please keep us posted on what the dealer says.

[gtrek79]

Just discovered that if you turn off Dolby, the sound returns to the rear speakers.

[jpd]

Many cites and towns have no station broadcasting in HD which may be reason for lack of rear speakers. Ask your dealer.

[Wiles]

Originally Posted by jpd

Many cites and towns have no station broadcasting in HD which may be reason for lack of rear speakers. Ask your dealer.

Sorry this is not the issue. The head unit sees the HD signal, and displays that with a HD on display. I can switch back an forth HD checked and unchecked.. When it has HD signal it has no rear sound. Same station with HD switched off works but radio says "(HD)" to tell me is sees the HD signal of that station. Learned this from the manual.

Ask the dealer? Yes, the first call was to them. Waiting to another unrelated part before I let them look at the car. My original post was looking for others with this issue, and how it was fixed or resolved. I will post updates when I have them.

I did notice the Dolby thing as well.


Thanks everyone who has posted.

[Wiles]

Dealer has no luck fixing. They replaced the amp. Swapped from other car, no change. Next they swapped with a head unit. Then and called today. Said all fixed.

NOPE, Switching Dolby "on" with a CD or FM radio cuts the rear speakers.

They want the regional rep to look at it now.

This is getting pretty annoying.

[gtrek79]

Originally Posted by wiles335i

Dealer has no luck fixing. They replaced the amp. Swapped from other car, no change. Next they swapped with a head unit. Then and called today. Said all fixed.

NOPE, Switching Dolby "on" with a CD or FM radio cuts the rear speakers.

They want the regional rep to look at it now.

This is getting pretty annoying.

Thanks for the update! I can't believe we are the only 2 having this problem if they have swapped out the components and still no fix. Oh well, good luck on getting it fixed.

[ZheHbKa]

Originally Posted by gtrek79

Just discovered that if you turn off Dolby, the sound returns to the rear speakers.

thanks, helpful!

[Wiles]

Originally Posted by ZheHbKa

thanks, helpful!

I have noticed the same but the sound is weak at best. (assuming you have the same issue.) I either have no sound or really poor sound. System is not working as designed.

[Fragile]

Hmm, strange.

Having it the other way around.
Switching OFF the surround leads to almost no sound from rear.
Having other problems (LPFP) so going to check this one more now.

[gtrek79]

Was finally able to get this fixed! Just had new software installed last week and it has apparently fixed the problem. The system sounds much better now as well.