samsonn25

Ml system Radio sound cuts out for 12 seconds

Hello people, I have a perplexing problem.

Radio sound occasionally cuts out for about 12 seconds on the FM and AM stations, Satellite stations still have sound and stays ok.

I have a 2013 GS450h with the Mark Levinson upgrade, any suggestions??

My old car a 2007 GS450h with totally no sound was easy, the amp in the trunk,. this one is harder to diagnose.

Seems to be a signal problem, The rear antenna cable to the head unit ??

jonathancl

When it cuts out, is the radio receiving the digital/HD transmissions?

samsonn25

The audio screen stays the same when the sound cuts off PIC 1

but after about 10-12 seconds right before as the sound comes back on it blanks Pic 2

Then hd comes but unlit and station ID name on Pic 3

Then sound and back to normal with lit HD with station name and song title screen Pic 4

Also the previous owner installed rear seat monitors I am thinking it is possible he split the fm antenna cable to feed the rear monitors and head unit , I have to look at the diagram again

pd7702

Looks to be a signal problem. In one of my previous cars, I remember the radio momentarily cutting out when transitioning to/from HD Radio. This became problematic when the HD Radio signal wasn't strong enough and kept switching between HD and normal FM. I'd try to narrow down the problem by disabling HD Radio and seeing if the problem goes away.

jonathancl

Yes, that was my theory as well: Something about the antenna connection is interfering w the HD signal, and the transition between the two is causing the audio delay.

Check the antenna connections at the back of the radio first. If that is fine, I would check the antenna itself, but I believe that is far more difficult.

Edit: there may be something more subtle as well; behind the radio, there are several antenna related connections and a separate little box, the purpose of which I have never seen explained. It is possible that a problem with something back there could cause the symptoms you are describing.

Cwang

Are you capable of DIY troubleshooting and repairs if I show you what to do?

samsonn25

I tried going to analog only or all, and it didnt help.

samsonn25

Thats the most logical place to look, the antenna connection.

samsonn25

Sounds like going to be hard, but I can try.

samsonn25

There is supposedly a radio antenna control box somewhere and also an antenna assembly for the amp that splits off the main harness from the shark fin downwards and another harness for the nav

Cwang

Does it happen when sitting still, or only when moving? If it's ok when idle, I don't think checking your antenna is going to help.

I haven't used your IBOC radio but our DAB+ here does cut out from time to time, it's just a symptom of digital transmission.

Does the analog transmission ever cut out the same way? They use separate antennas, the one under the headliner on the right is IPOC

TBH it sounds like you just have bad reception.

samsonn25

Doesnt matter moving or still

The sound doesnt cut out for the satellite stations

samsonn25

Anyway someone rear ended me last week, the rear right quarter and insurance going to total the car so I dont need to investigate anymore:

jonathancl

Well that's a sad ending to this story...

bob256k

I had the exact same issue, take out your radio and clean the antenna contacts on the bottom of the radio with some contact cleaner. I did this and it fixed my issue.

The antenna splitter gets a patina on the connectors that messes up the FM and AM radio reception only. SAT is digital so it does not really affect it.

P.S. Sorry to hear about your car I swear I see so much distracted driving, and it is from EVERYBODY on the road