Radio volume problem...help!

NYSpeed Automotive
1

I’ve now had this problem on-going for over a year. I’ve taken my car to Volkswagen of orchard park a few times, even opened a case with VW of America.
There are actually a couple volume related issues. First, completely at random, the radio volume will start to spaz out. Second, the volume knob randomly will not work at all. Third, and most terrifying, the volume will occasionally max out and scare the living crap out of me. When any of these are occuring, I cannot change the volume manually with the stereo. The steering wheel control works fine, but will be overridden by the radio ghost. All of these will occur using any of the inputs, including while I’m on the phone via bluetooth. So, CD, FM, Ipod, etc.

VW is basically stating that since they can’t make the problem happen, they can’t do anything about it. I’ve recorded about 20 videos of the first two volume issues with my phone when they randomly happen. I have not recorded the third because I have to turn the radio off immediately for risk of going deaf or blowing my speakers.

I have tried everything I can think of to try to make this happen on demand, and nothing works. I picked up my car from VW this afternoon; they were unsuccessful in making it happen, it started happening as I pulled out of the parking lot, I turned around and pulled back in and grabbed someone as quickly as I could and it stopped doing it. :banghead:

On to the videos, since they can explain it better than my words. These are the videos, along with many many more, that I have shown to VW. Sorry for the portrait/landscape video nightmares:

This one is hard to see, but i wanted to have a video showing both the steering wheel control and the volume knob, and that I wasn’t manipulating them in any way. I only did this because at this point I get the vibe from VW that they think I’m trying to pull a fast one on them. I’m definitely not.

So, at this point I am just extremely frustrated. I don’t know what to do. VW of America said the videos aren’t evidence enough and a tech needs to physically witness it. I think that’s bull**** at this point. I could see if I was trying to get something out of this, but I just want my radio to work. I’m not even asking for a new radio, i just want the problem solved. What should I do?

---------- Post added at 08:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:47 PM ----------

I forgot to add- this is a 2010 GTI with no aftermarket radio/speaker modifications at all.

2

Dude, you need one of these because the friggin thing is possessed! Have they not even offered to replace the damn radio to solve the problem?

http://img.bollycurry.com/images/600x0/15662-raj-zutshi-playing-the-role-of-priest-in-1920-movie.jpg
15662-raj-zutshi-playing-the-role-of-priest-in-1920-movie.jpg600×900

3

I agree, it sucks. I told the girl at VW of America that I was really hoping it was something mechanical because I’m terrified of ghosts.

And no, they have not offered to replace the radio. The first time I took it in, they didn’t find anything. The second time, they did a software update. While it did make my Ipod work a ton better, it did absolutely nothing for the volume issue. Third and on have been the same story, “We can’t replicate the problem”.
I was told today that if they replaced it, they would send my current one to VW for analysis and if nothing was wrong then the dealership would have to foot the bill, and they didn’t want to risk that. He said unless it happens when they have their scanner hooked up to it then it wasn’t something they would risk “just throwing parts at it”. Maybe VW of OP is hard-up for cash?

I don’t want to bash them, because they are usually pretty great to work with, but this is exceptionally ridiculous. Not just on them, but also on VW of America.

---------- Post added at 09:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:37 PM ----------

And in the end, I just want the bullshit to stop. If it needs a new radio, then put a new radio in it. If it needs a new wire, then that would be fine too. Priest? Rabbi? Do it up!

4

Tell them the random full volume is a safety issue. I would think it is. For Christ’s sake it a damn radio !

5

^^^ I definitely went that route as well. Apparently it’s not concerning enough to tap into the ol’ warranty fund.

6

Why don’t you see if the sales manager will switch cars for a couple days? Let him deal with it.

7

That just seems so unnecessary for this obvious problem. I offered to take the guy for a ride today, he said he was too busy. I also left the car there a couple weeks ago for 7 days while I was in florida and they said they couldn’t make it happen. It always happens, just not always right away, or every day. But at least 3-4 days a week I will have it happen a few times a day. I have to question what or how often they tried. This sucks.

8

Hey, just offering suggestions. If it’s unnecessary, I’m all ears. If you give someone a car they have to drive, chances are it’s going to happen…unless of course you have a demon and then they’re only interested in you.

9

I worded that wrong… Unnecessary as in “I’m annoyed that it’s come to this and I shouldn’t have to jump through hoops like this”. But you’re right, it is probably completely necessary and if they had to drive it then they’d experience it for sure. I’ll give them a call tomorrow and pitch the idea.

10

Might want to call TAPS lol.

11

Haha I think I have to. I’ll try a holy water air freshener this afternoon

12

The encoder on the radio for the volume control is garbage. Put in a nice aftermarket radio.

13

My thought was this, or there’s a short somewhere in his clockspring (steering wheel).

14

That’s pretty much the next step. I decided to try northtown VW by recommendation to see if they can do anything for me. I’m dropping it off tonight.

15

Its probably the encoder as others have mentioned. Is speed dependent volume control disabled?

16

It’s not disabled, however the sensitivity has been adjusted in all directions and appears to have no affect or relation to the problems…but that’s what VW told me. I personally have tried it in all positions and have not found the issue to be more or less likely to occur at all.

17

What happens when you have mechanical problems on a VW?

18

I would say no becuase it intermittently goes to blaring when he adjusts the volume ON the unit himself. AC Delco units of old are notorious for this. I can certainly picture contract manufacturers cutting corners by using a State Electronics encoder versus a Grayhill because it is literally a 10th the cost for a total POS.

The best way to test the encoder is to Slowly turn it up. You should feel the “ribs” (the coil) of the encoder. Occasionally you will hit a dead spot and it will default to full resistance. Once you move past the dead spot the volume should return to the same resistance it was at…either Soft or Loud depending on when the dead spot was hit. You will also notice turning the knob in the separate direction after you hit the dead spot almost reverses the affect. If it hits a dead spot and goes soft turning the opposite way will make Biggie-Smallz (intentional) sound like he is right next to you. Vice-versa for the opposite.

You could just crack it open and replace the encoder provided you can find an equivalent/better part. Or, replace the unit…with a NON-VW-OEM-SAME-POS. Get a nice aftermarket.

19

With this specific car, I let the warranty do the work. There was a problem with the intake flapper motor, they replaced it no problem. Tire pressure sensor replaced. The back passenger window had an issue which they fixed no problem. Not really any other issues have occurred since I’ve owned it. This is the only problem that won’t get fixed.

---------- Post added at 06:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:57 PM ----------

Just to clarify, it doesn’t go to full volume when I’m adjusting it. I will be driving with one hand on the shifter and the other on the steering wheel nowhere near the steering wheel controls, and it will blast up to full. No interaction from me at all.

20

That’s pretty shitty service and it sounds like you’ve been more than patient and polite. I’d tell them to either swap out the radio or you’ll be filing a complaint to the better business bureau and the submitting a VS-35 repair shop complaint to the DMV.

It really pisses me off when shops hide behind the, “we can’t reproduce it” excuse but then also refuse to drive the vehicle enough to actually reproduce it. You tell them it happens 3-4 times a week and they drive it for 15 minutes then basically call you a liar.