2010 USB/iPhone problem

Sorry if it's taboo to post on a GMC in a Chevrolet forum but I thought maybe someone here might have some insight or reap some benefit from my posting.

Recently purchased a 2010 Sierra Crew Cab SLT 4x4 and have been very happy with the exception of one small problem I seem to be having (and am currently working on with GM). The 2010's come with a standard USB port for connecting iPods, iPhones or any other USB device in order for you to be able to play and control MP3's through the factory radio (which in my case it the AM/FM/CD/DVD with rear seat entertainment but not NAV).

Apparently this particular radio has some issues with the iPhone in that when first connected, it sometimes will and sometimes will not connect. Once it does connect it may or may not charge and may or may not throw a message on the iPhone screen that says this device not supported, do you want to switch to airplane mode (phone, bluetooth and wireless cards are disabled in this mode).

The second issue is that once connected and you start playback (control of the device works fine through the radio and/or steering wheel buttons) after approx. 5 minutes the audio starts popping through the speakers. The popping sounds is light and appears to not be radio interference such as spark plug wires, etc. If you disconnect the device then reconnect it you get another 5 or so minutes of clean music playback.

So far, I've been back to the dealer twice with the problem. The first time was to convince them of the problem where it was agreed between the dealer and GM that the head unit of the radio would be replaced. This was agreed to for two reasons. One, we tried the iPhone in another 2010 Sierra and all appeared to work properly. (difference being the test unit did not have DVD). So we then took the head out of that vehicle and put it in my Sierra and all worked perfectly. GM then agreed to swap out the heads. Trip two was to do the actual swap as they did not have an exact unit at the dealer.

When we connceted the new head, the problem persisted causing GM to Ok the replacement of the USB cable that runs from the console to the back of the radio head. (personally I don't think this will work since the other head unit worked fine in my truck but I suppose if I want it resolved I need to let GM jump through whatever hoops it feels it should). The next trip there will be to replace the cable but as I said I don't believe it will work.

There appears to also be a problem with the iPhone and the NAV units that GM is aware of and supposedly is working to resolve, most likely a firmware update. Personally, I feel this is what it will take to resolve my issue but we'll have to wait and see.

A final FYI is that I tried various iPhones and iPod Touch's and had the same problem. When I connected and iPod Nano it worked perfectly therefore reafferming my belief that it's a problem between the iPhone/Touch and the radios firmware. I'll post more as it becomes available.

you posting is quite detailed very good..

I agree this is a firmware issue...the replacement failed the exact same way....

the other unit that is different did work so its not any hardware issues...

If you get GM to fix this I will be very surprised !

see if the dealer will give you the unit that does work ...offer some cash .

Unfortunately, the unit that does work does not have DVD which would render the rear entertainment unit useless. The only way I can see fixing it is a firmware update or replacement with a Nav unit that I also hear they're having problems with but are working to resolve. Taking it one step at at time but I'm not going to lett the issue die.

Unfortunately, the unit that does work does not have DVD which would render the rear entertainment unit useless. The only way I can see fixing it is a firmware update or replacement with a Nav unit that I also hear they're having problems with but are working to resolve. Taking it one step at at time but I'm not going to lett the issue die.

the problem you have will not be resolved , I believe...if it is a firmware issue...this is something the dealer cannot do...they can't even repair a dash unit..the people that work at the dealership are nothing but part changers..they do not know how electronic devices work with these vehicles..the major reason is simply GM keeps all this top secret...GM with these electronic parts/componets has better security that the goverment.

your unit will require to be sent to some GM top secret repair center , and with the proper details of how it malfunctions. it is still very unlikely you will be with a working unit.

perhaps in a year or so this can be corrected...probably by some person looking for a challange[hacks]....

I understand that the dealers are just pawns in the game and really am not looking for them to do anything other than assist me in dealing with GM. This one is totally mother GM's baby. Given the potential number of GM vehicles that use this unit (Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche, Silverado, Sierra, Yukon & XL and maybe more) combined with the number of iPhones and iPod Touch units out there (45 million as of August 09) I'm willing to bet there will be more than just a few people with this problem. One would hope that GM doesn't want any bad press right now given their current state and I don't believe the iPhone/Touch users of the world are the type to stand by idol if they've spent their hard earned money on a vehicle that in effect renders their device unusable in it. Only time will tell.

I understand that the dealers are just pawns in the game and really am not looking for them to do anything other than assist me in dealing with GM. This one is totally mother GM's baby. Given the potential number of GM vehicles that use this unit (Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche, Silverado, Sierra, Yukon & XL and maybe more) combined with the number of iPhones and iPod Touch units out there (45 million as of August 09) I'm willing to bet there will be more than just a few people with this problem. One would hope that GM doesn't want any bad press right now given their current state and I don't believe the iPhone/Touch users of the world are the type to stand by idol if they've spent their hard earned money on a vehicle that in effect renders their device unusable in it. Only time will tell.

with the changes in the tech world most good dvd players have the firmware update capability...with out this ability the units would be obsolete before they are in the market place..this even includes the tv sets that are now available..this unit that gm put in this 2010 vehicle was made/designed 2 years ago...

the problem is GM is not good when these things occur...it could take years...

I would contact the equiptment manufacturers of the equiptment that has issues with your GM device..this will put greater pressure on GM to resolve this..

Great idea. I took a pic of the label on the top of the unit that shows the model and serial numbers the last time I had it out. Model Number 20785735. It's built by Panasonic. Apparently the Panasonic number is CQ-ZG0964XC but does not show up on any internet searches. I'll start looking for some contact info on them but with it being OEM I'll bet it will be hard to figure out just who to talk to.

Boy, finding contact info on Panasonic's OEM division is virtually impossible. So far I've come up with nothing.

http://www.panasonic.com/ELS_Surround/

No idea if this will get you anywhere near where you need to be, Rob, but it may be a back door to get into at least the right neighborhood... If nothing else it may inspire new searches for you...

Good luck....

Boy, finding contact info on Panasonic's OEM division is virtually impossible. So far I've come up with nothing.


For general product support, please visit http://www.panasonic.com/support/ (http://www.panasonic.com/support/) or call us at 800-211-PANA (7262). Hours of operation are Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. EST Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. EST Open on Holidays except Christmas day.

say this the car audio tech support....also recheck that model number should be CQ-[V,S] NOT Z...

LET MEKNOW HOW IT GOES..

Thanks everyone. I'll give these a try. Here is a photo of the top of the unit showing model info:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4283731756_67bec71982_b.jpg

I called panasonic and gave them that model number and they said it did not exist...cq-Z------.should be v not Z ...clearly your picture shows what it is...


post what happens...

I called panasonic and gave them that model number and they said it did not exist...cq-Z------.should be v not Z ...clearly your picture shows what it is...


post what happens...

Pretty sad when they don't have a record of a model number. I'm wondering if the fact it was manufactured in Mexico would make any difference and if the division I should be talking to is them? In any case Ive sent an email and hopefully will receive a response. In the mean time, I'm still waiting on the dealer to get the USB cable so we can jump through that hoop and see what GM has up their sleeve next.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Received the following back from Panasonic:

Thank you for contacting Panasonic.

Based on the information that you have provided, we cannot guarantee that your iPhone device will work with your unit. The feature is not available on your unit.

We hope this information is useful to you.


Figured as much.

Received the following back from Panasonic:

Thank you for contacting Panasonic.

Based on the information that you have provided, we cannot guarantee that your iPhone device will work with your unit. The feature is not available on your unit.

We hope this information is useful to you.


Figured as much.

so this is how GM works ! I'M NOT SURPRISED. GM did not give you the answer because they knew you would be very disapointed with the false advertising of this vehicles entertainment system..

I would ask for a cash settlement from GM ...then get a unit that will work for you...

It appears that there was a similar issue with some 09 models that may have been resolved
http://www.cobaltss.net/forums/showthread.php?p=4197715

So there may be hope that GM will fix this one too

It appears that there was a similar issue with some 09 models that may have been resolved
http://www.cobaltss.net/forums/showthread.php?p=4197715

So there may be hope that GM will fix this one too

Interesting. Like you say, maybe there's hope. I also found another person having the same problem over here:

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9083

It appears that there was a similar issue with some 09 models that may have been resolved
http://www.cobaltss.net/forums/showthread.php?p=4197715

So there may be hope that GM will fix this one too

Interesting. Like you say, maybe there's hope. I also found another person having the same problem over here:

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9083

Is there anything on the iPhone on the USB connection? I think the Blackberry phones had an option when you plugged them into a PC on what they would look like to the PC. You could just select mass media and the PC would think it was a flash drive, I think my sony digital cameras can do the same.

The other question would be is: can the radio read a normal flash drive?

Is there anything on the iPhone on the USB connection? I think the Blackberry phones had an option when you plugged them into a PC on what they would look like to the PC. You could just select mass media and the PC would think it was a flash drive, I think my sony digital cameras can do the same.

The other question would be is: can the radio read a normal flash drive?

Flash drives and any non-touch iPod device such as a Nano work fine. It's just the iPhone and the iPod touch that seem to have this problem. Unfortunately, neither the iPhone or the Touch have the mass storage option as in the Blackberry. This could very well be the problem but there's no real way to test it.

OK, so I was completely wrong in my last post.

Today I tried using a 2nd and 3rd generation iPod Nano and got the same popping noise. (so it's not just the iPhone but I swear i tried a Nano before and it worked ok) The dealer called this week to tell me that the cable harness arrived but it will be a week or so before I can take it in to show them it's not the cable. (know this since I already pulled the head and connected a USB cable straight into it to the iPod/iPhone but I guess I have to play along for the moment.

With the new evidence and depending on what GM says, I'm about ready to demand the return of the cost of the head unit to me so I can buy an aftermarket unit that does work. Hopefully now with it not just being iPhones they will HAVE to pay attention and do a firmware update.

OK, so I was completely wrong in my last post.

Today I tried using a 2nd and 3rd generation iPod Nano and got the same popping noise. (so it's not just the iPhone but I swear i tried a Nano before and it worked ok) The dealer called this week to tell me that the cable harness arrived but it will be a week or so before I can take it in to show them it's not the cable. (know this since I already pulled the head and connected a USB cable straight into it to the iPod/iPhone but I guess I have to play along for the moment.

With the new evidence and depending on what GM says, I'm about ready to demand the return of the cost of the head unit to me so I can buy an aftermarket unit that does work. Hopefully now with it not just being iPhones they will HAVE to pay attention and do a firmware update.

thanks for the update ...very interesting stuff..

Had a chance to go to the dealer Friday to do what we knew wouldn't work which was replace the harness containing the USB cable. This entailed removing both front seats and the console so that we could get to the underside of the console to remove the existing harness. As suspected, when we buttoned it all up we had the same problem. As the tech was documenting what he had done the service manager came by and inquired as to if we had made any progress. After talking to him a few minutes he said to me that it's time to see if we can get this escalated at GM saying he would call his contact there to see what he could get done.

Before leaving I told him I would draft an email that he could use to document the problems in as much detail as possible which I did Friday night. On Saturday morning I received a message from him saying he had sent an email to his contact with my email and some additional information and indicated we should hear something back this week.

Will keep you posted as things move along.

Received what I would call a bit of good news today. The service manager called me this afternoon to let me know that he had talked to GM today. They informed him that they connected (he said it took at least 15 tries for it to connect) an iPhone today and experienced the popping noise as well. They acknowledged a problem but are not sure if it lies within the radio or "with apple" but were going to look into it and get back to him.

He also asked which model (3GS) I had and requested I send him a list of apps on the phone. I said I'd gladly send him the list but felt it had nothing to do with it since the same problem occurs on the three other iPods I've tested.

Again, good news in that they were able to duplicate the problem and gave an indication that they will look into it. I'll post more as it comes.

Update.

Apparently GM now has a fix that they are sending the service manager I've been dealing with. I've been told that it's not yet available to everyone but they are sending it to him to update my radio. Looks like I'll be the guinea pig. Fine by me as long as it gets fixed.

He's supposed to contact me once they have they update and I'll schedule a time to have it done. I'll report back what happens.

Update.

Apparently GM now has a fix that they are sending the service manager I've been dealing with. I've been told that it's not yet available to everyone but they are sending it to him to update my radio. Looks like I'll be the guinea pig. Fine by me as long as it gets fixed.

He's supposed to contact me once they have they update and I'll schedule a time to have it done. I'll report back what happens.

I am very surprised at their response to your issues ...
lets see if they have truely got their act together ...and fix this widespread problem ...I will be waiting for your reply thanks .

Finally had a chance to take the Sierra to the dealer for the update. There's good news and bad news.

The good news - The update mostly fixes the popping noise. I can plug the iPhone in and play songs or podcasts, skip from one song to the next all without hearing the popping. So far I've gone as long as an hour without having to disconnect the device due to popping and this was only because I was getting out of the truck. It may be just my imagination but I actually think the sound quality is better too.

The bad news - The popping can be made to happen. If you're listening to a song and hit the FF button for a few seconds the popping starts again and the only way to stop it is to reconnect the device. This also brings up another problem. If during the popping noise you switch over to a podcast (and I can't say for certain if it's just podcast) it will not play. Nothing, no audio at all. The information about the podcast shows on the screen, you can switch from podcast to music but no audio at all from either until you reconnect the device.

Part two of the bad - The charging may or may not work. This issue does not seem to be resolved at all. The first day after the update I could get about 10 minutes worth of charging but then the iPhone would throw up the "Device not supported" message and charging would stop. Also, seems that the first time you plug the device in after it's been restarted the radio will not connect. You have to pull the cable and reconnect. Most times now it will charge for about a minute and quit.

Part three of the bad news - During playback, be it music or podcast, at any given time (I haven't been able to see a pattern yet) the audio from the iPhone drops out, not all the way, just a quieting down for a split second. It's hard to describe but I guess I would say it sounds as if the signal weakens for just a moment and then goes back to normal.

Part four of the bad - Pressing the FF button a few seconds or a few times during the playback of a podcast causes the above symptom of the audio stopping completely.

Am I happy? Somewhat. I no longer have to constantly disconnect the device to stop the popping. Could I live with it with the other problems? Possibly. I very seldom use the FF key so I probably wouldn't have a problem with the popping. Is charging an issue? For me, not really. I usually am in the truck no more than an hour at a time. For me the update is bitter sweet or one step forward and two back.

I've sent an email to the service manager who's forwarded it to engineering so now we wait but at least I don't have to keep reconnecting it to stop the popping. Will report more when and if I know anything.

I thought this was a firmware issue ..

the company that made this product needs to do more work on the fix ...it appears that if done correctly you should get it to work...

thanks for the update ....so what do you recommend ?

It was a firmware update. Came as a file on a USB drive and was done through the USB port in the console. Right now I'm supposedly the only one to have the update. The service manager said that engineering hasn't release this for the public yet and my guess is that after they get his email with my description of the problems they will have to go back and have another look. I'm staying on top of it and will post what I know when I hear something but for now I'd recommend holding tight.

Thank you for providing such information. This is very generous of you providing such vital information which is very informative.


Iphone 4s Accessory (http://deariphone.com)

i dont know about 2011, however i have the 2012 usb integrated system and it works perfectly with my i phone, i am not hearing any backgroud noises ...

just as a thought how old are your ipod or iphone connection cords, it could be an issue created by that cord, also check the plug on your i pod and i phone devices to make sure they are free of pocket lint, dirt, or other forign debrees as these could make connection issues and background noises be heard...