Radio

Symptom List For Complaints Regarding Sound Systems: HI

This symptom list contains radio complaints which are not caused by device malfunctions. Replacing the radio will not eliminate the problem.

Reception

Poor reception with Business radio CD RDS (world set CD 43)

Cause: Incorrect reception area set.

Radios concerned: Business CD RDS (world set CD 43)

Situation: The Business radio CD RDS (world set CD43) is designed for all reception areas in the world. Poor reception may result if the correct reception area is not set in the "AREA" radio menu.

Action: Set reception area

Procedure: Initial operation of the radio (replacement unit, new unit)
- Fit replacement radio in vehicle and switch on radio.
- "NO AREA" appears in the radio display (only during initial operation of radio)
- Now switch to the required region ("Europe", "USA", "Canada", "OC+RDS", "Japan").
a. On E46 radio and DIN unit with "Station button 1".
b. On E39 radio with first softkey (Station button 1).
- Now switch off radio (AREA is saved).

Procedure: Changing set reception area

a. On E46 and E39 radios
- Switch on service mode (switch on radio and press "m" button within 8 seconds)
- No press the "+" button until "AREA" is indicated in the radio display.
- By pressing "station button 1", now select the required AREA in the menu and switch off radio (AREA is saved).

b. On DIN radio
Same procedure as for E46, E39 radio
Depending on the set reception area, a CODE entry may be necessary after changing the setting on the DIN radio.

Temporary reception cutout

Cause: Radio searches for better, alternative frequency in the reception range. For this purpose, the received program must be interrupted temporarily thus causing the cutout.

Radios concerned: Reverse and Business

NOTE: RDS may be switched off in critical areas. In the case of the "Professional" radio this search for alternative frequencies is carried out with a second receiver. This is the reason that there is no temporary cutout with this radio.

Temporary reception tall-off, lattice fence effect

Cause: Multipath reception fall-off - concept-related on VHF - multipath cancellation effect due to wave overlay.

Radios concerned: "Reverse" radio or when no antenna diversity is installed.

NOTE: Can be eliminated by antenna diversity (only in conjunction with Business and Professional)

Interference noise or crackle on classical music stations

Cause: Classical music stations often broadcast with low modulation in order to avoid distortion. As a result, interference is distinctly more discernible.

Radios concerned: All

NOTE: No corrective measures possible as the fault is caused by the broadcasting station.

RDS

The radio does not set better alternative frequencies on the stations stored under the station buttons.

Cause: The frequencies were stored before the station name appeared or the station has no alternative frequencies.

Radios concerned: All

NOTE: When storing the station, wait until the station name appears in the display.

Radio does not set an alternative, better frequency. Only the frequency appears in the display.

Cause: RDS is switched off.

Radios concerned: All

NOTE: By pressing the RDS button, the station name appears in the display and a search is conducted automatically for the best alternative frequency.

In certain areas no alternative frequencies are found although they can be set with a manual search.

Cause: Alternative frequencies cannot be found with REG switched on (=ON) in broadcasting areas with permanently regional stations if they have a different regional identifier.

Radios concerned: All

NOTE: Switch off REG by pressing and holding the RDS button (display REG=OFF) or pressing the REG button.

Receiver jumps of its own accord to another station (or several other stations)

Cause: The regional station function is switched off in the radio and the station being listened to broadcasts regional programs.

Radios concerned: All

NOTE: Switch on REG by pressing and holding the RDS button (display REG=ON) or pressing the REG button.

Traffic information

Radio increases the volume of its own accord or following traffic information it no longer reverts to normal volume.

Cause: The station has forgotten to reset the traffic information identifier (TA) (common occurrence with private stations).

Radios concerned: All

NOTE: The old status can be restored by switching off the traffic information function (press TP).

The volume of traffic information increases several seconds before the actual message is received.

Cause: The station often broadcasts the traffic information identifier (TA) too early (a common practice in order to broadcast the time for traffic information memory).

Radios concerned: All

NOTE: No corrective measures, problem is station-related.

Traffic information volume too loud

Cause: The traffic information volume can be varied during the announcement. The set volume is stored automatically.

Radios concerned: Business and Professional.

NOTE: Set volume quieter during the traffic information announcement.

Minimum setting of traffic information volume too loud or too quiet.

Cause: Basic traffic information volume set too loud or too quiet.

Radios concerned: All

NOTE: Adapt basic volume as part of diagnosis procedure or in service mode.

Cassette/CD operation

Cassette playback too fast or too slow

Cause: Cassette was recorded on home HiFi system at different speed (too slow or too fast)

Radios concerned: All

NOTE: Check playback with other cassettes or CDs.

During track search, the cassette does not stop between the individual tracks.

Cause: The pauses between the music tracks are too short.

Radios concerned: All

NOTE: The track search function requires pauses of at least 4 seconds between the individual music tracks.

Cassette/CD operation is interrupted by the radio, it is no longer possible to resume cassette/CD operation.

Cause: The TP function is on and the station inadvertently broadcasts the traffic information identifier (TA). Cassette/CD operation is interrupted as a result.

Radios concerned: All

NOTE: The old status can be restored by switching off the traffic information function (press TP).

Volume/speakers

Speed-dependent volume increase too weak/too intense

Cause: The set GAL characteristic curve is not suitable for the vehicle.

Radios concerned: All radios, apart from the Top HiFi system.

NOTE: Changing the GAL setting in DIS under service functions. GAL1 corresponds to the lowest volume increase, GAL4 or GAL6 the highest increase.

Speed-dependent volume is not increased

Cause: Top HiFi System installed

Radios concerned: All E38 and E39 radios with Top HiFi system.

NOTE: In connection with the Top HiFi system, only one characteristic curve is permanently stored in the Top HiFi amplifier. The different GAL stages in the radio are not in operation.

When switching over the volume between two radio stations or a between radio station and cassette or CD varies considerably.

Cause: Radio stations can broadcast at different modulation levels. The cassette or CD can be recorded at different volume levels.

Radios concerned: All

NOTE: Check playback with other radio stations, cassettes or CDs.

Speakers booming, distortion or do not produce the required sound pattern

Cause: Loose speaker lines can knock against body parts or neighboring body parts can be induced to vibrate.

Radios concerned: All

NOTE: Check lines over the entire length and fix with insulating tape as required.

Care must also be taken to ensure that no neighboring body parts can vibrate.

Temporary failure of opposing speaker

Cause: Abruptly switching over from stereo to mono gives the impression that a speaker has failed.

Radios concerned: All

NOTE: In the event of audible interference in reception, reproduction is switched over from stereo to mono as such interference is perceived to be unpleasant in stereo.

Station storage

It is necessary to reprogram the stations when driving through different broadcasting areas.

Cause: The station with the strongest signal in the relevant area can be selected with the autostore function.

Radios concerned: Business and Reverse

NOTE: Activate autostore function by pressing and holding the FM button. Selection of station buttons in FMA mode.