I have a 2005 TL without Navigation. I DO subscribe to XM radio. I had the iPod adapter installed by BestBuy. Everything with respect to integration of the iPod is working perfectly however the XM radio is now having audio drop outs. By audio drop outs, I mean.... The audio will just go silent for less than a second to a full second. I am not losing satellite signal, I am absolutely sure of this. This problem can occur once in a 30 minute car ride, or a couple times in a single song.

I've contacted the manufacture and they instructed me to upgrade the firmware. I did and it seemed like it actually increased the frequency of the problem. I was then instructed by the manufacture to replace the unit it may be defective. I replaced the unit with a brand new one, upgraded the firmware, and the problem still exists. It is occurring less frequently, but still annoying. I even changed the wiring harness.

I love the product, but the audio drop outs on the XM are so annoying I'm tempted to rip everything out and return it. Please help-- any ideas?

Does anyone else have this issue? Or on the opposite side of things, does anyone successfully listen to XM with this iPod adapter installed?

 

Tooky,

I do not have the issues you're referring to, but i can totally understand your frustration. Are you sure the harnesses are seated well into each receptacle?

You mentioned you had Best Buy install this -- is there any way you can check to see how well the connection is between the Y-harness (provided by iSimple) and the OEM XM plug (that originally plugged into the back of your Acura TL headunit)??

I'd suspect this first .. my logic is as follows .. if your ipod connectivity is ok, and you're not having dropouts with the ipod, then the audio processing in the iSimple brain/unit is ok. If you're having momentary dropouts of the XM audio, then I suspect the connection between the XM satellite receiver and the iSimple brain/unit. Check this first as mine was very loose when i installed mine, to the point where I was considering securing it with circumferential electrical tape to maintain the connection integrity.

During the audio dropouts (XM), what does the headunit text display?

How are you sure you're not losing satellite?

Lemme know, hopefully we can figure this out for you.

 

PeterUbers,

Thanks for the fast response. Here's the story... BestBuy did the initial installation. But I reflashed the first unit, replaced and reflashed the second unit, and changed the wiring harness.

Yeah... I'm confident the harnesses are plugged in securely because when I replaced the harness, I thought that was the problem because I was able to push it in further and it seemed very secure.

During the audio drop outs (XM), the headunit displays the song information like normal. I do *NOT* receive the "no signal" message. The audio drop outs can occur sitting stationary in my driveway where there is a clear view of the sky.

I will tell you, the problem seems to be occurring less frequently with the new wiring harness.

Just to provide any information that may be useful:
I have all the dipswitches in the default OFF (UP) position.

 

Tooky:

One thing i would try (if you haven't already done so_) is to completely disconnect the Peripheral brain and reconnect all OEM wires to their respective locations .. i.e. replug the XM harness back into the Acura headunit as it was in factory conditions -- see if the dropouts occur still...

I'm concerned that perhaps there is a broken or loose pin in the harness on the XM side or perhaps a cracked wire/connection just before one of the audio pins on the XM side. Re-plugging the OEM XM harness to the headunit will confirm this.

Don't think this is the Peripheral brain ...

lemme know

 

^ i agree. sounds like its something on the XM side. like peterubers says..remove the Y cable and only install the XM harness coming from the trunk. if you are having still having an issue, you know it is a result of the XM side - could be a bad/loose wire going from the trunk to the HU, a bad/loose antenna cable, or just a problem with the XM module. If any of these are the case, hopefully your car is still under warranty and can get this fixed for free.

 

Alright... I'm becoming professional at ripping the center console and dash apart-- and not by choice! I unfortunately will take your advice and remove the wiring harness bringing the car back to its factory radio configuration. I'm expecting the XM radio will operate flawlessly as it did prior to the Peripheral installation. But we will see. The car is still under warranty but only for another 600 miles... hehe hopefully if there's any problems we find them now!

Thanks and any more advice or suggestions, please keep them coming!

 

Tooky,

let us know what your findings are. I just installed this today and have not had any problems with the XM reception (although i have been listening to the Ipod more....lol) Hope all goes well. ]

p.s. i see that you have become professional at ripping the dash apart...im curious as to why did you have best buy install it??

 

Well... I typically don't want anyone to touch my car... but I figured I'd have BestBuy install it so I didn't have to mess with it. But when I was instructed to reflash the unit, I decided that I better take care of it.

 

I'm beginning to second guess my statement of being absolutely sure the audio (XM) cut out issue is not related to signal loss. I originally thought this because the radio would never indicate a signal loss... but now I'm thinking the audio cuts out and returns to normal so quickly, the radio just didn't have a chance to display the no signal error message. The problem has increased in frequency and severity. Tonight, I was driving around and got repeated audio cut outs and on several occasions I did actually receive the message no signal.

Is the XM antenna connected to the radio using the same wiring harness the Peripheral harness connects to? I've made sure it is securely fastened. Are there any other connection I can check approaching the problem from an XM signal issue before I rip the entire unit out as suggested above.

Please advise. Thanks in advance! I will be working on the car in the afternoon so any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

TookyFL,

The signal cutout could still have to do with the aforementioned concern for the pins on the XM side... if the Acura HEADUNIT is detecting a weak XM signal, then it will cancel audio output and display (NO Signal, etc) as you mentioned. Since this issue is more severe, and the only change is that you now have a peripheral unit, I would check the XM harness (XM side) and also you can check the connections at the XM receiver in the trunk (right side, behind the carpeting, bolting in by three bolts, multiple white harnesses plugged into it).

I still think #1 your issue is at the XM side of the OEM XM input into the Acura headunit (which is now going into the Y-harness provided by Peripheral Electronics to integrate the Peripheral PXAMG brain). If you do suspect this is the problem, then you may have to do some repair/replacement of that harness. Just a simple inspection should usually provide your answer.

If you can turn your car to ON, and select your source to XM radio, listen to the music and then put your hand at the XM side harness and wiggle it around a bit and see if you can replicate the audio cut-outs... if so, you have your answer... if not, you may INCIDENTALLY have issues with your XM antenna, or the receiver...