Radio Reception Issues

[jjy130]

I called to set up getting this update along with an oil change/inspection/recall. I asked about this radio update and referenced PI1288a and asked to make sure that they would have the module to replace. I was told that they would apply an software updates but would not order any parts without having the truck there first. After hearing about PI1288a I finally had some hope of getting decent radio quality in my truck but looks like I'm in for a long struggle and mostly likely a "works as designed". Have any others had luck referencing PI1288a and getting the updated module without a struggle or multiple appointments?

[strickland604]

jjy130 I struggled just to get the update I took my truck in this past Sat. for an oil change told my dealer about the bad radio reception for the third time. I gave him the PI1288a reference and asked them to look in to it. Upon picking up my truck I was told that the PI reference did apply to my truck but the radio sounded fine to them so they would not even do the update. I had to call GM Monday to get them to call the dealership to make them do just the update. So I am sure if I need a module it will take an act of congress to get it.

[14SLTZ71]

jjy130 I struggled just to get the update I took my truck in this past Sat. for an oil change told my dealer about the bad radio reception for the third time. I gave him the PI1288a reference and asked them to look in to it. Upon picking up my truck I was told that the PI reference did apply to my truck but the radio sounded fine to them so they would not even do the update. I had to call GM Monday to get them to call the dealership to make them do just the update. So I am sure if I need a module it will take an act of congress to get it.

Why are dealerships ignoring these PI's and TSB's? You shouldn't have to beg them to repair your vehicle per the instructions in a PI or TSB.

[strickland604]

I've had to bring up two different PI's to the service department since I purchased my truck and both times I get the deer in head lights stare and then the automated response never heard of it. I live in the south and not in a metro part of the state so most dealerships sales are trucks and with this being the only GMC dealership in an 75 mile radius I find it hard to believe I am the only one having any problems with my new truck. Their is however an Chevrolet dealership 1 mile down the road from the GMC dealership and they are aware of all the problems, recalls, PI"s and TSB's. Just strikes me as odd.

[TJay74]

I as well don't get why dealers are afraid to do the work unless it is they are scared of being charged back by GM.

[glcbn]

I was arguing about the reception issues with my dealer last Thursday. Asking me if HD cuts in and out, echos, changes volume, repeats,etc.

Of course I'm replying yes to all. Well he comes back with this PI I didn't even hear about...... PIC5854C. It explains the "normal characteristics" of HD when tuned to a weak station. I basically say, well that's fine and dandy that HD sucks, but my radio sucks on your basic FM too.

 

So after going back and forth with this for about 20 minutes,and telling them at least 4 times I am NOT leaving my truck for a software update only,they ordered me a new module, and it gets done this Friday! Will it make a difference, who knows, but at least I'll have that much done and documented.

 

Will let you guys know if reception changed any for the better.

Edited September 18, 2014 by glc

[Arnoldthepig]

I picked the truck up today at 3:30 after they installed the new radio module. I gotta say i'm VERY impressed with the way the radio now performs! I used to have it go from HD to FM with tons of static at least 15 times on my 7 mile ride home from work....tonight on my ride home, the HD signal stayed locked in with the exception of one time at a red light. At the light when it went from HD to regular FM, there was not a drastic reduction in volume and the regular FM was crystal clear!! I can't be more happy at this point!

 

I just want to say thanks to TJay for working with the engineers! NICE JOB!!

 

Also thanks to Turnersville Chevy's service department!!

[SilverSilver]

Ace, Davis, GLC, DMD... all of you in the middle... and especially TJAY: Thank you for investigating this issue. I've been PO'd at this Unit enough because of the ipod crashing issues, and thought the reception thing was in my head. Nice work, all, and thanks again for the intel. Greatly appreciated.

[cmaddox03]

I went to one GMC dealership around Indianapolis and they hadn't heard anything about people having reception issues. I think since they are so close to a major city, the reception isn't so bad so nobody complains about it. This dealership is close to home but not work so I didn't make an appointment. I went to the dealership in Kokomo today to make an appointment. The service writer knew exactly what I was talking about when I showed up. Since Kokomo is a smaller city and one hour from Indy, I think they've gotten plenty of complaints.

 

I asked if they'd do both the module & programming. He said they just do the programming. If that doesn't do it, then they'd try the module. He said they had a way to "measure" the radio reception. I'm not sure about that. If they don't replace the module, I'll just take it back next week and tell them it still isn't good. My truck is a 09/13 build so it should need the new module.

[strickland604]

I went to one GMC dealership around Indianapolis and they hadn't heard anything about people having reception issues. I think since they are so close to a major city, the reception isn't so bad so nobody complains about it. This dealership is close to home but not work so I didn't make an appointment. I went to the dealership in Kokomo today to make an appointment. The service writer knew exactly what I was talking about when I showed up. Since Kokomo is a smaller city and one hour from Indy, I think they've gotten plenty of complaints.

 

I asked if they'd do both the module & programming. He said they just do the programming. If that doesn't do it, then they'd try the module. He said they had a way to "measure" the radio reception. I'm not sure about that. If they don't replace the module, I'll just take it back next week and tell them it still isn't good. My truck is a 09/13 build so it should need the new module.

[glcbn]

 

I asked if they'd do both the module & programming. He said they just do the programming. If that doesn't do it, then they'd try the module. He said they had a way to "measure" the radio reception. I'm not sure about that. If they don't replace the module, I'll just take it back next week and tell them it still isn't good. My truck is a 09/13 build so it should need the new module.

 

Don't know why they won't do both together. The software update doesn't do squat. I argued with them that I wanted both together and after a lengthy "conversation" that's the way it's going to be.

 

I was supposed to get it done last Friday, but it had to be rescheduled because of a loaner car not available to me that day. That was another more intense "conversation" that I won't get into here.

[strickland604]

Cmaddox03 I took my truck in Sat. for the second time for the radio update the first time I was told the update applied to my truck but the radio sounded fine to them. I called and got gm involved they set up my appt. for this past Sat. Took my truck in waited an hour and a half to be told that they could not install the update and I would need the newer module before they could install the new update. So they said they would order one and have me bring the truck back later this week. They lead me to believe they could not install the PI1288a software update in the older module.

[TJay74]

I was told by the engineers that the older modules cant be updated, that is why my module was replaced in order to be able to flash the firmware update.

[glcbn]

I was told by the engineers that the older modules cant be updated, that is why my module was replaced in order to be able to flash the firmware update.

 

I argued up and down with them about that.

[cmaddox03]

I dropped the truck off this morning. While I was waiting for the courtesy shuttle to come back, the service writer came to me to tell me there is yet another recall for my truck. It was the airbag connector recall. I wasn't too surprised to hear of another recall.

 

Its a company truck so I cannot complain too much about it but I'm disappointed with the GM quality. I've always had GM trucks so I was happy to have a GM work truck. It was between a GM or Dodge for work truck choices. Dodge didn't have the 1/2 ton diesel out yet so we went with the GM.