Radio cold weather gremlin?

[abaucom21]

Yesterday morning started my 2011 after 5 days, turned on radio and no sound, no static. All radio functions on the display seemed to work, including volume control on both panel and steering wheel as I switched to different radio stations.

Do not subscribe to XM, car parked in dry unheated underground garage (temp in mid 20s F). 15 min. drive to work (air temp about 0 F, switched radio on/off a number of times, still no sound. Parked in cold about 6 hrs., and then drove short distance to a restaurant. Still no sound from radio. Two hours later and parked outdoors (still about 0 F), started car and radio came on and worked fine. Sorry, did not think to try a disc. when radio not working.

This is 3rd winter and never had cold weather issues before so air temp might not be a factor. Not unusual for car to stay parked underground for 5-7 days. My 2011 2LT is now more than 3 years old so no warranty and only at 5,700 miles. Any ideas what the problem might be?

If / when this happens again and I take it to the dealer and radio starts working I fear I will being paying only to get a report back “nothing found”. Would have posted on the Audio threads but most of the discussion there seems to be about after market stuff. Any advice would be appreciated.

[chiefgary]

Had the same issue with my daughters Cruze. The dealer di a software update to My Link, and everything has been fine since.

[lbuhler]

Originally Posted by abaucom21

Yesterday morning started my 2011 after 5 days, turned on radio and no sound, no static. All radio functions on the display seemed to work, including volume control on both panel and steering wheel as I switched to different radio stations.

Do not subscribe to XM, car parked in dry unheated underground garage (temp in mid 20s F). 15 min. drive to work (air temp about 0 F, switched radio on/off a number of times, still no sound. Parked in cold about 6 hrs., and then drove short distance to a restaurant. Still no sound from radio. Two hours later and parked outdoors (still about 0 F), started car and radio came on and worked fine. Sorry, did not think to try a disc. when radio not working.

This is 3rd winter and never had cold weather issues before so air temp might not be a factor. Not unusual for car to stay parked underground for 5-7 days. My 2011 2LT is now more than 3 years old so no warranty and only at 5,700 miles. Any ideas what the problem might be?

If / when this happens again and I take it to the dealer and radio starts working I fear I will being paying only to get a report back “nothing found”. Would have posted on the Audio threads but most of the discussion there seems to be about after market stuff. Any advice would be appreciated.

I too am having the same problem - AM nor FM works - CD Player and XM both work - drive to work, park in the parking lot and come out at 5:30 PM and the radio works.
I leave my car in the garage every night. It just started with the below 0 degree weather we are having.
I have taken it to the dealer twice in the past month. I even took video with my phone to show them that it is not working.
So - I will ask them to do the software update that the guy referenced in this thread.
Ed

[MR JC]

I am having the same problem. I bought my 2013 SS in May of last year. I am in Georgia where it recently snowed over the past couple of days. I started my car for the first time in 5 days. Temp was around 30 deg F. I have not had problems before in below freezing temp. I turned on the music to play. After 5 min of playing the sound went silent. All functions on the radio work but no sound. I turned the radio off and on several times. I don't know what to do about it. I will try again when I get off work and see if it works.
Can anyone tell me what to do about this problem?

[LiquidDragon]

I am having a similar issue. I noticed that when its below freezing the rear defrost turns on automatically and when i turn it off my stations start working normal.

[OrangeVert]

Originally Posted by LiquidDragon

I am having a similar issue. I noticed that when its below freezing the rear defrost turns on automatically and when i turn it off my stations start working normal.

Just guessing LD, maybe antenna related? Don't know if Camaros use the heated rear window as an antenna? Probably not. Only link between the two I can think of, except maybe dashboard wiring. But <disclaimer> I am NOT a mechanic, nor do I play one on TV.

[abaucom21]

Can not be the MyLink software upgrade as I have a 2011 2LT which does not have MyLink. Still having the issue of no radio sound about once a week but disc player has sound. Display for radio stations display but no sound.

[LiquidDragon]

Originally Posted by abaucom21

Can not be the MyLink software upgrade as I have a 2011 2LT which does not have MyLink. Still having the issue of no radio sound about once a week but disc player has sound. Display for radio stations display but no sound.

was the rear defrost on when the radio wasn't working and did you turn it off and see if you get the sound from the radio back?

[abaucom21]

Yes defroster was turned on. Defroster automatically turns on when I start the car in extremely cold weather (think the heated mirrors also turn on when rear defroster on).

As the radio issue is hit and miss next time it happens will turn off the rear defroster and see what happens. Here in Ottawa still more than a month of artic cold to experiment (we get snow from Nov. - April).

[LiquidDragon]

Originally Posted by abaucom21

Yes defroster was turned on. Defroster automatically turns on when I start the car in extremely cold weather (think the heated mirrors also turn on when rear defroster on).

As the radio issue is hit and miss next time it happens will turn off the rear defroster and see what happens. Here in Ottawa still more than a month of artic cold to experiment (we get snow from Nov. - April).

You can turn it on yourself and see if it effects it or not. I know when i turn mine on depending where i am it will effect it. When i am at home and further away from any radio towers and i turn the rear defrost on I will lose the radio stations completely because the time the signal gets to where i am it has lost most of its RF energy but when I am at work where I can see a few radio towers and I turn the rear defrost on or it turns on on its own the radio just gets some static on it and I lose the signal slightly.

[abaucom21]

My situation is more like MR JC (above) except I do not have MyLink on a 2011 2LT. Not experienced radio going silent while it is turned on and working. Audio display works fine, with disc I have clear sound, with radio silent (no static). This has happened 4 times since last Dec. in below freezing temps and this is my 4th Canadian winter with the Camaro without past issues. It is rare here in Ottawa to get above freezing mid Dec. - Feb.

Typically, I start car, turn on heat, turn on radio. So heat on first and due to cold temp rear window defrost starts automatically, shuts off automatically after 10-15 mins. My commute to work is typically 20 mins. which includes my 2 min. warm up before I put it in Drive.

Next time I start car, turn on heat, turn on radio and no sound, will manually turn off rear window defrost to see if it makes a difference. Just frustrated as this issue is so random.

Until I can narrow down the cause possibilites hesitant to bring the problem to my dealership because radio would have to be silent when I bring it to the dealership otherwise I fear a report of "nothing found", and my 36 month warrenty is expired after only 5,900 miles. Plus I only drive when I have somewhere to be at a given time such as being on time for classes I teach as I am a professor. My students sometimes make a great deal of effort to attend my classes on time during Canadian winters. So I show up 1-1/2 hours late for a 3 hour class with a late excuss my Camaro radio was not working and had to go to dealership and wait for dealership shuttle service to campus. Damn I would not except that excuss from a student (unless they were driving a Camaro -LOL)! Do not want to think I might be without my Camaro daily driver and have to rent a car to get to work, as my other car is currently in winter storage until mid to late April.

Just frustrated 'random' occuring issues become very complex to resolve.

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Hi abaucom21,

So sorry to hear of this concern! I understand how frustrating it can be when the concern is also intermittent. We have a customer service department in Canada that would be happy to assist you further if you would like to speak with them. The phone number is 800-263-3777, and the hours of operation are M-F 7:30am - 11:30pm and Sat 7:30am - 6:00 EST. They can further research and get in contact with your dealership. Please keep us posted on the concern, and I hope the issue is resolved quickly for you!

Jessica
Chevrolet Customer Care

Originally Posted by abaucom21

Yesterday morning started my 2011 after 5 days, turned on radio and no sound, no static. All radio functions on the display seemed to work, including volume control on both panel and steering wheel as I switched to different radio stations.

Do not subscribe to XM, car parked in dry unheated underground garage (temp in mid 20s F). 15 min. drive to work (air temp about 0 F, switched radio on/off a number of times, still no sound. Parked in cold about 6 hrs., and then drove short distance to a restaurant. Still no sound from radio. Two hours later and parked outdoors (still about 0 F), started car and radio came on and worked fine. Sorry, did not think to try a disc. when radio not working.

This is 3rd winter and never had cold weather issues before so air temp might not be a factor. Not unusual for car to stay parked underground for 5-7 days. My 2011 2LT is now more than 3 years old so no warranty and only at 5,700 miles. Any ideas what the problem might be?

If / when this happens again and I take it to the dealer and radio starts working I fear I will being paying only to get a report back “nothing found”. Would have posted on the Audio threads but most of the discussion there seems to be about after market stuff. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Hello all,

I see that others seem to be experiencing a similar concern with their vehicles. We are happy to assist you in a resolution if you would like our involvement. You may send us a private message at any time so we may contact your dealership.

Jessica
Chevrolet Customer Care

[rivenwolf]

My 2010 did the same thing. The problem is the factory amp. I went through 2 of them before i got a good one. but for your dealer to warranty it the tech will need to experience the problem. if you take video of the car acting up to the service manager they should help you. make sure you talk in the video while showing the volume turning up to prove no sound. as a tech i would have to try something after the video was shown just for customer satisfaction.