Mute Stereo

[super_ell]

Hi folks.
I have an issue with my E85 stereo. It mutes when the engine is on.
It's the business nav unit.
It had a parrot handsfree kit installed. I assumed that was the problem, removed it and still no joy.
Anyone else able to shed some light on the issue?

 

[ZedM]

Did the problem only start when the parrot was installed? Who installed it?

 

[super_ell]

I've only just bought the car. Parrot was already installed.
I don't think that's the problem now, as I've taken it out and the problem remains.
So, with the ignition on the stereo works. Fire the engine up and it mutes.
When I put it into reverse it will occasionally make sound, so it could be something to do with the parking sensors?
Do they mute the stereo when reverse is selected?

 

[philiper]

I've only just bought the car. Parrot was already installed.
I don't think that's the problem now, as I've taken it out and the problem remains.
So, with the ignition on the stereo works. Fire the engine up and it mutes.
When I put it into reverse it will occasionally make sound, so it could be something to do with the parking sensors?
Do they mute the stereo when reverse is selected?

google it and seems quite common but no a definite answer (not as far as I could see)

 

[super_ell]

OK. Does anyone know if the car mutes the stereo when the parking sensors are activated?

 

[ZedM]

I don't think so, but I'll check mine this morning.

 

[super_ell]

Thanks ZedM, that would be really helpful.

 

[ZedM]

I don't think so, but I'll check mine this morning.

Just checked and my radio does NOT mute when reverse is selected. The sensor warning does not seem to come through the radio speakers but has its own audio output device somewhere under the dash.

 

[super_ell]

Ok thanks for that.
I've got some OEM phone kit thing installed, I'll look at that next I think.

 

[Caffeine811]

Hi folks.
I have an issue with my E85 stereo. It mutes when the engine is on.
It's the business nav unit.
It had a parrot handsfree kit installed. I assumed that was the problem, removed it and still no joy.
Anyone else able to shed some light on the issue?

Did you ever solve this? I have the same problem.

 

[Zephyr]

Hello,
1 (as dumb as it may seem) switch off your phones bluetooth signal and try again.
2 use the spare key that you (may or may not) have
3 before starting the engine, press mute and check if the radio actually mutes. If yes start engine press unmute (same button)
4 do a stereo reset - different procedure for different head units so tell us which one you have.
cheers.

 

[Caffeine811]

Thanks for the reply. I followed your suggestions but unfortunately the problem persists. Attached are images of the head unit and amp, they are fitted to my 2003 E85. Engine on for a few seconds and sound cuts out, DSP=0. Turn engine off and after some time the sound returns, DSP=1. Any further suggestions greatly appreciated

 

[Caffeine811]

Thanks for the reply. I followed your suggestions but unfortunately the problem persists. Attached are images of the head unit and amp, they are fitted to my 2003 E85. Engine on for a few seconds and sound cuts out, DSP=0. Turn engine off and after some time the sound returns, DSP=1. Any further suggestions greatly appreciated

Further explanation: when the audio doesn’t work, the service menu shows DSP=0 and when audio works, DSP=1, see images below. What could be causing the state change?

 

[Zephyr]

Terribly sorry, I know nothing about dsp and advanced stereo systems. Maybe a specific scan tool like ISTA can read and code your stereo, but my limited knowledge goes as far as an RCD43 and can not even guess what your issue could be. Sorry.

 

[Caffeine811]

No worries, appreciate your reply. Thank you.

 

[Caffeine811]

Further explanation: when the audio doesn’t work, the service menu shows DSP=0 and when audio works, DSP=1, see images below. What could be causing the state change?
View attachment 265797View attachment 265799View attachment 265801

Update: apparently the head unit receives information regarding whether or not the system is equipped with a DSP amp via the I-BUS comm link. Suspect a bad connection or interference on the comm link. Not solved yet.

 

[APM]

Wondering if you resolved the "no sound" issue? I have a similar problem, and recall reading a long while ago that the increase in voltage from 12ish to over 14 when the alternator kicks in will cause the problem. My amp had seen water because of drain plug issues, and the over voltage thought was in a thread i happened across with regard to the water damage issue. I'm not sure how the moisture exposure creates a change in voltage sensitivity (control). Hoping someone on here might have input on a fix.

 

[Caffeine811]

You may have heard about that fix from me because I did post it somewhere recently. Anyway, to make the amp work with the engine running initially installed a diode in place of the fuse in the amp and the amp would then work for an hour or so with the engine on, so I installed 2 diodes in series and now it works no matter how long it’s on. Obviously the amp has a problem but the board looks fine to the eye. The electrolytic caps are now 20 years old so I figured I’d replace them all and see if that gave me a real solution rather than a hack. I started by replacing all the physically large caps but it was pretty tedious and the caps I removed measured at or above their rated capacitance, so I quit and didn’t replace the small caps - after that the problem still existed but my diode hack continues to work. If the problem reappears I guess I’ll start by replacing the remaining caps.