Audio totally cutting out and back in and out and back in etc - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

chevyguy_72 · 09-30-2015, 08:13 AM

Hey guys...
Car is a 2011 2SS with Boston system.

I have an interesting issue... started a couple weeks ago while driving...
Basically I will drive for a while with no issue... then all the sudden out of no where the audio will start cutting on and off every second or two... completely off no sound... if you turn the radio off there is still a electronic clicking noise every second or two... doesn't stop until the audio is completely off (key off - door open)

I have a sub thump harness to add a amp and sub in the trunk... I have completely removed that harness and pull the fuse from the aftermarket amp... same issue.

doesn't seem to be trigger or certain amount of time passing for it to start... some times its a couple minutes in... sometimes its 30 or so...

Driving style doesn't seem to matter much either... Higher speed interstate driving vs stop and go in town driving...

My guess at this point is amp... but it could totally be headunit/ Bluetooth-USB /onstar mirror/turn signals pretty much anything that is integrated in...

Snoman · 09-30-2015, 09:14 AM

Your head unit is most likely going bad

chevyguy_72 · 09-30-2015, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoman

Your head unit is most likely going bad

Just curious... what leads you to that conclusion?

Snoman · 09-30-2015, 10:04 AM

Experience mostly, the stock head unit and amp were designed and built to take a beating and keep on running nearly indefinitely. If you have a warranty (extended?), let the dealer replace it. Be prepared though, 50/50 chance the dealer is going to ask you if you had any electrical work done on the car.

chevyguy_72 · 09-30-2015, 10:33 AM

No warranty left... Im ok with replacing parts... just trying to find a starting point vs replacing it all...

Snoman · 09-30-2015, 11:04 AM

You can pull the console and fiddle with the connections, but the unit is non-repairable to my knowledge. An aftermarket head unit and Scorshe/Metra kit will be cheaper than replacing it however.

chevyguy_72 · 09-30-2015, 01:02 PM

That is kinda what I figured... is there a good thread on what all is needed as far as installs? I have read the metra kit is more reliable... and I would prob just upgrade to a newer touch screen radio with nav etc... but I would hope to reuse my stock xm antenna, steering wheels controls etc...

Snoman · 09-30-2015, 02:03 PM

I have seen several excellent threads here about it, but Google or the forum search functionality will be your best friend (is all I would do). One of the kits comes programmed standard for the Chevy SS, minor inconvenience. I believe going this route will allow you to keep all standard vehicle functions except maybe Onstar. I have seen the process performed first hand several times, an easy DIY.

Not my forte, but one of the others here more experienced may chime in.

JimE · 09-30-2015, 08:41 PM

You could get a used factory unit or even do the NAV upgrade.

chevyguy_72 · 10-01-2015, 07:31 AM

Update on symptoms...
Now instead of cutting out on and off... I have lost the entire driver side channel of speakers and the sub... just the passenger side speakers are working...
AND
now all the sudden I have an airbag light on...
wondering if there is a deeper root cause for all of this...

Snoman · 10-01-2015, 09:48 AM

Electrical gremlins? You might as well write a blank check to the dealership. Supposedly they can connect the CPU to a machine to test them all, you are still down a car for a day or two and $100-$200.

chevyguy_72 · 10-01-2015, 10:27 AM

I can live with a couple hundred bucks... just don't want to write a blank check... if it gets to that I will live with the issues or trade it off... not going to dump thousands in... its not even 5yrs old and has less than 40k

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoman

Electrical gremlins? You might as well write a blank check to the dealership. Supposedly they can connect the CPU to a machine to test them all, you are still down a car for a day or two and $100-$200.

Snoman · 10-01-2015, 01:22 PM

Look for a local reputable dealer charging a flat 'diagnostic fee', they will then roll it into the final repair. Just make sure nothing says "per hour" on it. You may pay a bit little, but I believe they offer lifetime warranty work if they end up fixing it.

Explit Player · 10-01-2015, 01:30 PM

MyLink upgrade is what I vote

but way expensive

09-30-2015, 08:13 AM	#1
chevyguy_72 EVIL SS Drives: SIM '11 2SS/RS and '13 BD Avalanche Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: JAX, FL Posts: 418	Audio totally cutting out and back in and out and back in etc Hey guys... Car is a 2011 2SS with Boston system. I have an interesting issue... started a couple weeks ago while driving... Basically I will drive for a while with no issue... then all the sudden out of no where the audio will start cutting on and off every second or two... completely off no sound... if you turn the radio off there is still a electronic clicking noise every second or two... doesn't stop until the audio is completely off (key off - door open) I have a sub thump harness to add a amp and sub in the trunk... I have completely removed that harness and pull the fuse from the aftermarket amp... same issue. doesn't seem to be trigger or certain amount of time passing for it to start... some times its a couple minutes in... sometimes its 30 or so... Driving style doesn't seem to matter much either... Higher speed interstate driving vs stop and go in town driving... My guess at this point is amp... but it could totally be headunit/ Bluetooth-USB /onstar mirror/turn signals pretty much anything that is integrated in... __________________ Last edited by chevyguy_72; 10-01-2015 at 07:43 AM.

09-30-2015, 10:33 AM	#5
chevyguy_72 EVIL SS Drives: SIM '11 2SS/RS and '13 BD Avalanche Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: JAX, FL Posts: 418	No warranty left... Im ok with replacing parts... just trying to find a starting point vs replacing it all... __________________

09-30-2015, 01:02 PM	#7
chevyguy_72 EVIL SS Drives: SIM '11 2SS/RS and '13 BD Avalanche Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: JAX, FL Posts: 418	That is kinda what I figured... is there a good thread on what all is needed as far as installs? I have read the metra kit is more reliable... and I would prob just upgrade to a newer touch screen radio with nav etc... but I would hope to reuse my stock xm antenna, steering wheels controls etc... __________________

10-01-2015, 07:31 AM	#10
chevyguy_72 EVIL SS Drives: SIM '11 2SS/RS and '13 BD Avalanche Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: JAX, FL Posts: 418	Update on symptoms... Now instead of cutting out on and off... I have lost the entire driver side channel of speakers and the sub... just the passenger side speakers are working... AND now all the sudden I have an airbag light on... wondering if there is a deeper root cause for all of this... __________________

10-01-2015, 01:30 PM	#14
Explit Player IG @Brian_ _Self Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS M6+17'Tesla Model S Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Bristol, TN : Instagram @Brian_ _Self Posts: 804 View My Garage	MyLink upgrade is what I vote but way expensive __________________

09-30-2015, 09:14 AM	#2
Snoman H-Town Camaro Club Drives: 2013 Dusk Edition 2SS/M6/Sun/NPP Join Date: May 2014 Location: Houston Posts: 2,234 View My Garage	Your head unit is most likely going bad

09-30-2015, 10:04 AM	#4
Snoman H-Town Camaro Club Drives: 2013 Dusk Edition 2SS/M6/Sun/NPP Join Date: May 2014 Location: Houston Posts: 2,234 View My Garage	Experience mostly, the stock head unit and amp were designed and built to take a beating and keep on running nearly indefinitely. If you have a warranty (extended?), let the dealer replace it. Be prepared though, 50/50 chance the dealer is going to ask you if you had any electrical work done on the car.

09-30-2015, 11:04 AM	#6
Snoman H-Town Camaro Club Drives: 2013 Dusk Edition 2SS/M6/Sun/NPP Join Date: May 2014 Location: Houston Posts: 2,234 View My Garage	You can pull the console and fiddle with the connections, but the unit is non-repairable to my knowledge. An aftermarket head unit and Scorshe/Metra kit will be cheaper than replacing it however.

09-30-2015, 02:03 PM	#8
Snoman H-Town Camaro Club Drives: 2013 Dusk Edition 2SS/M6/Sun/NPP Join Date: May 2014 Location: Houston Posts: 2,234 View My Garage	I have seen several excellent threads here about it, but Google or the forum search functionality will be your best friend (is all I would do). One of the kits comes programmed standard for the Chevy SS, minor inconvenience. I believe going this route will allow you to keep all standard vehicle functions except maybe Onstar. I have seen the process performed first hand several times, an easy DIY. Not my forte, but one of the others here more experienced may chime in.

09-30-2015, 08:41 PM	#9
JimE Drives: 2013 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 3,087	You could get a used factory unit or even do the NAV upgrade.

10-01-2015, 09:48 AM	#11
Snoman H-Town Camaro Club Drives: 2013 Dusk Edition 2SS/M6/Sun/NPP Join Date: May 2014 Location: Houston Posts: 2,234 View My Garage	Electrical gremlins? You might as well write a blank check to the dealership. Supposedly they can connect the CPU to a machine to test them all, you are still down a car for a day or two and $100-$200.

10-01-2015, 01:22 PM	#13
Snoman H-Town Camaro Club Drives: 2013 Dusk Edition 2SS/M6/Sun/NPP Join Date: May 2014 Location: Houston Posts: 2,234 View My Garage	Look for a local reputable dealer charging a flat 'diagnostic fee', they will then roll it into the final repair. Just make sure nothing says "per hour" on it. You may pay a bit little, but I believe they offer lifetime warranty work if they end up fixing it.