Sirius/XM Losing Signal

[ranmic]

I've noticed over the past couple of months that my car Sirus/XM signal is going out a lot. The puzzling part is its losing signal in areas that it never did before. Same car, same radio, nothing changed on my end. Is anyone else seeing this across the country?

 

[Jimbo]

I continuously lose signal in places across town .... several intersections always lose signal .... on expressway, going over a bridge.
Anytime I come near the local Costco ....

I can make the signal go away, by going to any of these locations.
I've talked with Sirius many times about it ... no answer as to why this is happening or what to do to fix it.

I've checked with the Ford Dealer, they have No bulletins on it ....
Want the Truck for the day to inquire ... I refuse as they have looked into it previously and found nothing.

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[dweber]

There is one intersection in Marysville, Ohio that I always lose my Sirius XM station. Marysville is part of the smart corridor where the traffic lights are computer controlled. I am guessing that the signal that the traffic light camera is using must interfere with the Sirius XM. But that is just my guess.

 

[TheKrell]

Want the Truck for the day to inquire ... I refuse as they have looked into it previously and found nothing.

What you need to do is borrow somebody else's vehicle (with a subscription) and drive it to these dead spots and see if it has the same problem.

Does SiriusXM still use two different technologies? Do they both have ground repeaters?

 

[Jimbo]

What you need to do is borrow somebody else's vehicle (with a subscription) and drive it to these dead spots and see if it has the same problem.

Does SiriusXM still use two different technologies? Do they both have ground repeaters?

Good idea, if I can find someone that has SiriusXM around here.
I believe they do use different technologies (I've had both, liked XM better)
As for ground repeaters, I don't know.

 

[TheKrell]

Good idea, if I can find someone that has SiriusXM around here.

You know, I never tried this. New cars generally come with a trial subscription. Chrysler gives me a year before SiriusXM starts nagging me to subscribe. Perhaps you could try a dealership and test it out that way.

 

[Jimbo]

You know, I never tried this. New cars generally come with a trial subscription. Chrysler gives me a year before SiriusXM starts nagging. Perhaps you could try a dealership and test it out that way.

Only problem with that is, most new or used vehicles SiriusXM are not active until after you buy it.

 

[Foxbat]

Mrs. Foxbat's Buick Regal with SiriusXM predictably loses the channel when we exit the Interstate heading to her Mom's house. As we're going under an overpass, I can see us being in the satellite's shadow, but we drive under plenty of other overpasses and we don't have the same issue with those.

 

[Howard Simmons]

Only problem with that is, most new or used vehicles SiriusXM are not active until after you buy it.

You could ask if you can use one of their Demo cars or if any have their radios activated.

 

[harshness]

Does SiriusXM still use two different technologies?

Yes. AFAIK, they've never delivered the FCC-mandated unified receiver.

Do they both have ground repeaters?

They do, but perhaps not to the extent that they used to.

 

[ranmic]

Guess I just find it odd that some areas I always had service in is now spotty. My street for example has been perfect for the four years I've lived on it but not long ago I started getting "no signal" on my drive. Anyway, not much I can do about it, I was just wondering if I was the only one.

 

[Jimbo]

There is one intersection in Marysville, Ohio that I always lose my Sirius XM station. Marysville is part of the smart corridor where the traffic lights are computer controlled. I am guessing that the signal that the traffic light camera is using must interfere with the Sirius XM. But that is just my guess.

Your probably on to something ... I thought that as well, but could never Prove it and SiriusXm isn't going to change anything to fix it, seeing they don't know what it is or how to fix either .... the City certainly isn't going to do anything, it only happens to SiriusXM people ... now if it knocked out All radio frequencies and streaming services, they might think about it..

 

[kshaw]

I had this issue with my XM Boom Box. Problem was a bad satellite antenna. Replaced that and problem went away.

 

[Jimbo]

I had this issue with my XM Boom Box. Problem was a bad satellite antenna. Replaced that and problem went away.

That MAY be my issue too, but it would cost be $100 (Warranty) and probably 2 days without my truck as the dealer believes that Losing your signal is Normal.
Unfortunately, I can't go in and tell them I want the Antenna replaced, they need to waste a day or so diagnosing it.

 

[kshaw]

If you have an aftermarket radio, it will have a jack on the back where the antenna is plugged in. My pioneer radio just uses the standard XM antenna. If so, just plug in another antenna and lay it on the dash and see if it works better.

 

[Jimbo]

So, is there or was there ever a solution to this issue ?
Replace antenna ???
I have built in SXM in the Ford F150.
Replacing the antenna isn't easy ... (I haven't pulled the radio out either)
The Dealer won't do it (or cover it) as they don't have an answer other than, sh*t happens.

 

[TheKrell]

So, is there or was there ever a solution to this issue ?
Replace antenna ???
I have built in SXM in the Ford F150.
Replacing the antenna isn't easy ... (I haven't pulled the radio out either)
The Dealer won't do it (or cover it) as they don't have an answer other than, sh*t happens.

Tough problem. I recommend getting a portable antenna, hook it up to the radio in the driveway as a test, and go from there. If the portable antenna fixes it, then you can explore replacing the built-in or cable going to the built-in. If the portable antenna doesn't help, then your head unit may have become hard of hearing.

 

[Jimbo]

Tough problem. I recommend getting a portable antenna, hook it up to the radio in the driveway as a test, and go from there. If the portable antenna fixes it, then you can explore replacing the built-in or cable going to the built-in. If the portable antenna doesn't help, then your head unit may have become hard of hearing.

I'll have to look and see how the head unit comes out (may not be to complicated) and what type of connector it has to the unit ... I have a portable unit that Sirius sent me, they said they would replace my radio, she obviously didn't understand that it was a built in unit .... really didn't think THEY were going to replace that.

 

[Jimbo]

I'll have to look and see how the head unit comes out (may not be to complicated) and what type of connector it has to the unit ... I have a portable unit that Sirius sent me, they said they would replace my radio, she obviously didn't understand that it was a built in unit .... really didn't think THEY were going to replace that.

Well, after going thru some Youtube videos, you have to take everything apart to get to it apparently .... no way to reach or access antenna connected otherwise ... I'm still looking though.

 

[TheKrell]

Well, after going thru some Youtube videos, you have to take everything apart to get to it apparently .... no way to reach or access antenna connected otherwise ... I'm still looking though.

Ford makes unserviceable trucks these days?