Radio Reception Issues

[Mikeoxbig]

Just took delivery of my 14 silverado. Radio signal seems good so far. Same as my other vehicles

[Bobber]

My 2014 Silverado LT (non-Nav) has the same problem with HD signals as others have reported. It hunts for HD signal (cutting in and out several times in any single song being played). It does this a lot in the greater Chicago area when I am there... This is the first HD radio I've owned, so I wasn't sure about what was "typical" until I came across this thread.

 

Even the normal FM stations that I could previosuly tune in to near my house are less stable than they were in my previous vehicle (a 2007 Dodge Caliber). Will be stopping at the dealer today - fortunately they are only a block away from where I work.

[WhiteMike]

^{I dropped off my truck to have a bedliner and the windows tinted. The loaner vehicle they gave me was a 2014 base model SLE. The AM/FM radio stations sounded almost perfect. There once was a slight "Crackle" but I was amazed at how much better the AM/FM station were in this truck vs. my 2014 SLT. For apples/apples comparisson sake, the trucks were parked right next to each other so it had nothing to do with being 30 miles from downtown Houston.}

 

^{I did tell my service manager. He sounded like he had heard of this being an issue. The techs up front said they have not heard of such a thing. I did mention that XM radio was just fine, and he said thats probably because it's on a different antena.}

 

^{I'm just cruious as so why the 2014 SLE loaner truck sounds fine, but my SLT is really bad. For a guy who listens to a lot of local sports talk radio on AM stations this is not going to work. I'll keep you posted on what they say/do.}

Edited February 6, 2014 by WhiteMike

[WhiteMike]

^{I purchased my truck earlier this week. I made the mistake of not turning on the AM stations. Both the AM and FM stations has ALOT of static and "crackle" sounds. I have a 2014 SLT with Bose, and without navigation. I live here in Houston, TX and definitely not far from the radio towers. My 2005 truck picked up am/fm signals much, much better. Heck, even my $20.00 alarm clock radio sounds way better than both AM/FM stations.}

^{Had I heard how bad it was, I wouldn't not have bought my truck on Monday. I even contemplated returning on Tuesday and demanding my money back.}

^{I didn't pay $45k to NOT be able to listen to local sports talk stations here in Houston. (790am and 610am)}

^{I did take the truck in today to get tint and a bedliner installed. They loaner truck they gave me, a base 2014 SLE Sierra actually has very good signal on both AM/FM. My truck was parked right next to this one, so it wasn't like I was 40 miles from downtown, it was apples/apples. I don't know the difference, but whatever the problem is, GM needs to fix it. Hearing that "crackle" coming out of the speakers constantly is super annoying. And before anyone tells me to listen to my ipod or XM, I didn't pay this much to not be able to listen to those local stations.}

 

^{GM, you better step up to the plate. I did tell my service manager, but I am looking who to call today to report it directly with GM. We ALL need to call GM and our dealers.}

[dmd277]

WhiteMike there are different radios in the trucks I have an SLT also was told by GM that the radio with the 8" screen has a different receiver than other trucks. My SLT has the same issues, I have been dealing with the dealer and GM for months. GM's colortouch radio gets excellent reception in a Traverse.

[robman8023]

Minor update: Got the GM customer survey to fill out online and indicated the FM Radio issue (among other things). I got a call back the next day and went over my answers and they gave me an opportunity to further describe the issue. She extended 1 year of OnStar to make up for my dissatisfaction, but I don't recall her specifically stating they were going to share my feedback with the appropriate department; though I assume they will.

I'm still awaiting my first oil change to bring it to their attention. I did try removing and re-installing the antenna mast, and noticed while secure (with thread locker), it wasn't fully seated. I screwed it completely down, and accomplished nothing measurable in my brief test ride, aside from messing up the black paint on the base of the antenna.

[Arnoldthepig]

I attempted to trace my antenna wire from the antenna base near the hood to the back of the radio. It seems that the wire from the radio to the antenna base is all one piece. Can anyone on here confirm this?

 

I also ohmed the antenna wire itself starting with the center portion of the antenna wire behind the display, to the antenna itself. I got a reading of 0 ohms. I then did the outer portion of the same wire behind the radio to ground and came up with 0 ohms. Based upon the ohm testing it appears that there are no breaks in the wire if my understanding is correct.

[02SierraZ71]

I attempted to trace my antenna wire from the antenna base near the hood to the back of the radio. It seems that the wire from the radio to the antenna base is all one piece. Can anyone on here confirm this?

 

Someone posted that they found the antenna cable and base are 1 piece.

 

Do you think the cable is ok?

[dmd277]

Update on new antenna, drove about 35 miles out of town on route that I had noted fm reception. New antenna delivers HD radio at a greater distance and fm reception is better that with the stock antenna, it is not a fix but an improvement, will continue to look for a better antenna. I know that HD cable wire can ohm fine but it the connection is not solid you will get signal loss.

[GMCustomerService]

ace ventura,

 

We understand that you are frustrated with this situation regarding FM radio reception. We always appreciate both the positive and constructive feedback, and can assure you that we do take this feedback quite seriously. With your permission, I'd like to feed it back to our engineers and design team, but prior to doing that, we'd appreciate any additional info you'd be willing to share. Please private message us with your VIN, your name, phone number and any additional thoughts related to your vehicle concern. Down the road, it may be helpful for us to set you up with a truck engineer to share your feedback and suggestions.

 

Jennifer T.

GM Customer Care

[steig]

ace ventura,

 

We understand that you are frustrated with this situation regarding FM radio reception. We always appreciate both the positive and constructive feedback, and can assure you that we do take this feedback quite seriously. With your permission, I'd like to feed it back to our engineers and design team, but prior to doing that, we'd appreciate any additional info you'd be willing to share. Please private message us with your VIN, your name, phone number and any additional thoughts related to your vehicle concern. Down the road, it may be helpful for us to set you up with a truck engineer to share your feedback and suggestions.

 

Jennifer T.

GM Customer Care

Jennifer,

This has been a on-going issue, and nothing has been done yet. My FM radio reception is horrible. Been to dealer a few times, contacted GM, NOTHING happening. There is No way any manufacturer should sell a 2014 vehicle with this kind of FM radio reception, also the HD does not work, goes in and out constantly, probably cause of the reception issue.

[dmd277]

Jennifer,

 

I have been to the dealer three times with this issue, I have been in contact with GM customer service and received a case number. I have changed the antenna and improved reception a little. I would appreciate talking with an engineer or someone at GM. This should not be a problem on a vehicle in 2014. I have given a dvd to my dealer showing the radio reception in my vehicle compared to a 2014 Traverse. The Traverse gets excellent reception and I can get a signal in my Sierra. I believe it is time for GM to recognize this is an issue with a number or truck owners. I will be awaiting your reply.

 

 

 

 

[dkeven]

Funny thing about mine I thought the reception was on par with others but now am not to sure. Was interested in putting an aftermarket mast on the truck for looks only. Removed the old one got called to an urgent need and didnt put it back, figured I would put it back on way to work. Long story short drove in listening to pandora got bored and wanted to catch weather and news, put on FM same reception as it was with an antenna, picked up hd which fluttered at same spots on the road and aside from AM could tell no difference in stations I listen to with or without antenna. That would seem to proove out antenna is pretty weak at best, now I wonder what it would be like with one that actually works for fm, dont really care about am dont use it.

[dkeven]

Update on new antenna, drove about 35 miles out of town on route that I had noted fm reception. New antenna delivers HD radio at a greater distance and fm reception is better that with the stock antenna, it is not a fix but an improvement, will continue to look for a better antenna. I know that HD cable wire can ohm fine but it the connection is not solid you will get signal loss.

tried that antenna myself but it broke off first car wash, (forgot to remove) seemd to be ok on reception but after seeing how radio works with no antenna not sure it is much of an improvement.

[steig]

It appears nothing is going to be done about the FM radio reception issue. I have been to dealer a few times, contacted GM and nothing has been done. What a disappointment.