New Bose Stereo Problems

[Silver Ecstasy]

Just got back from dealer,first they said that the amp connector's where loose I knew that wasn't the problem, already checked that myself, so asked service mangager to go with road test with tech to verify problem, explained problem and verified it, tech said internal eq in hu bad, tech said mine was the first one he has seen like this, so i'll get a call when new hu and cowl rattle tsb parts come in. Service dept was very professional and polite.I'll have my ears bleeding soon with a new hu.(band2)

I know this is sorta OT, but what parts did they need to order for the cowl rattle? I mentioned that to them as well. And how do they fix it, do they need to open the dash up to insulate it or something?

 

[squabbin]

I thought all GT's had MP3 playback no???

 

[naddie]

I thought all GT's had MP3 playback no???

Nope. All of them don't have MP3 playback. Only the new 2008.5 MS3s (both Sport and GT) can play back MP3s.

 

[mordant80]

I thought all GT's had MP3 playback no???

No, I believe it's standard on all the 2008.5's, sport and gt. Dont think either had mp3 before the 08.5's

 

[PherTo]

MS3 2008.5 Bose Issue

I just brought my car into my dealership and the Shop Foreman agreed that it was a mess with volume/bass controls. He called Mazda and Mazda was familiar with the situation BUT no parts are available for a fix. I have to wait 2-3 wks for new parts (I assume a new HU) for the fix.

Bummer.


Has anyone else gotten a response like this? Or do most dealerships have access to the proper head units?

 

[5][Spyder]

Finally went into the dealer, he admitted the problem. However the company Mazda uses for the radio, united radio, is ******* back ordered on the head units. Could be 1 week could be years until they get them in stock. So I have to go without a radio for X amount of time while the ship it in to get flashed and then ship it back, since they said that would at least be a guarantee that you would have it back in a week. Vs. waiting on the backorder status(I know how that s*** goes). Good luck all.

 

[BitterFiction]

Hey all -- Just picked up my new M3 a week ago, and noticed this problem with the bass on the way home (LA from San Diego). I'm scheduled with the service department here tomorrow, but I'm not very confident that they'll understand the problem.

I'm not sure if they will accept that the bass is basically nonexistent before volume 35... I'm also not sure I can recreate the effect of the base cutting out and in, above level 35. It seems to happen randomly. Anyone have a good method to get the thing to perform on command?

Better yet, anyone have any sort of reference number to the problem, if I have the service department call Mazda? Or are they still not admitting there's a problem?

Keeping my fingers crossed...

 

[PherTo]

I set my volume to 40 and had the dealer drive the car from stop to ~30mph. At around 10mph, the bass kicked out. Once the bass kicked out, I changed the volume to either 39 or 41 to prove that the bass would kick back in.

This proved that the bass/volume got softer as the car went faster.....just the opposite of what the dealer expected.

Also, after changing it to 39 or 41 at higher speeds (above 30mph allowing the bass to kick back in), I allowed the dealer to continue driving. As the speed fluctuated, the sounds of the radio did wacky things.

This is how I proved my issues. It took about 5 minutes of a test drive. I also realized that it does some funky things around 70mph, but I didn't hassle with that.

No reference number....sorry.

 

[frito]

I take my car in next Wed.

 

[BitterFiction]

No luck this morning.

The technician I spoke to hadn't heard anything about the problem, and he said I'd need to leave the car for the day, so they could verify the issue, but I couldn't do that without setting up a ride to work.

Guess I'll have to try again later and just hope that they can hear the problem...

 

[john blutarski]

My sport has the bass cutting in and out issue as well as the 35 loud as balls issue

ALC on or off has no effect...

 

[Zwetty]

So here is the deal, straight from Mazda Tech Services:

All the head units in 2008.5 Speed3's have a software bug that is causing the issue we all know very well. For the time being, all they can do is order you a new HU with the update because most of the dealers do not have the right equipment to have the HU reprogrammed. So when you take your car in, tell them that Mazda has a notice bulletin, but has not released it yet, due to the lack of equipment at dealerships. If they give you BS, tell them to call the Mazda tech services center, and then your issue should be fixed...pending part delivery. Most of the dealers will want to reproduce it, if you are lucky they can find it. Otherwise, tell them about the bulletin and they should stop giving you crap.

 

[frito]

Is there anything more official than this to give my dealer?

So here is the deal, straight from Mazda Tech Services:

All the head units in 2008.5 Speed3's have a software bug that is causing the issue we all know very well. For the time being, all they can do is order you a new HU with the update because most of the dealers do not have the right equipment to have the HU reprogrammed. So when you take your car in, tell them that Mazda has a notice bulletin, but has not released it yet, due to the lack of equipment at dealerships. If they give you BS, tell them to call the Mazda tech services center, and then your issue should be fixed...pending part delivery. Most of the dealers will want to reproduce it, if you are lucky they can find it. Otherwise, tell them about the bulletin and they should stop giving you crap.

 

[joshj84]

Yeah have him call one of our dealers that people have gotten it replaced at or have them call mazda. I don't mind helping everyone out with info but seriously wtf do some of these people not pay attention?

 

[naddie]

There are lots of dealers that are just lazy. Even though it's under warranty, they hate doing the work. They get compensated by Mazda USA. Or they simply get high by giving people a hard time.

I know lots of dealerships like that. I found one that seems willing to help with ALL issues no matter how small (squeakings, rattles - they took a look without giving me that "you're nuts" look or vibe.

 

[rodster13]

When I was trying to reproduce the "bass-cut-out" issue for the dealer the first time, I sat there for a few minutes making both our ears bleed (way above 35). No dice. Then I turned it down to "sane but loud" and as soon as I went out of the driveway (bump-bump) it triggered. I can only conclude from that experience it's a physical HW problem.

They said they replaced the amplifier. Maybe that's the same box as the HU? not sure. I work in the electronics industry and it's not the first time, a mfg has tried to cover a major blunder by claiming a firmware problem. Another possiblity is that they have a FW based workaround for a HW problem, thus saving them the cost of replacement. I've personally participated in a few of those.

It's all supposition on the root cause, but just hammer the dealers to get it fixed!

 

[naddie]

My dealer is ordering a new stereo for me, as well as some pads for the windshield cowl because it rattles there.

OT, but my rear cargo cover rattles too, but they can't do anything about that. I'm thinking about affixing some strong earth magnets to hold it down better. Should fix the rattle noise there.

 

[PherTo]

So dealers can now order HUs that include the fix? My dealer told me to call him back in a few weeks and he'll check to see if they are available.

 

[BitterFiction]

...If your Service MANAGER not Advisor(the person you 1st talk to) doesnt understand the issue. Have him call Mazda South 512-462-3131 and talk to the Service PPL there cause they know what is going on and are fixing everyones problem....

I'm scheduled to go in to my dealer tomorrow to have them listen to the problem. To prepare myself, I gave the service people at the above number a call to see what they know about the issue. The service person I spoke to at Mazda South said they have replaced some units on MS3's, but any dealer is going to have to duplicate the problem for themselves. He also said that all the dealers have access to the same tech help they used there, so all dealers should be able to acknowledge the problem that way.

I'm not sure if this info will help me or not, since it sounds like some dealerships are still having trouble confirming the issue, and there hasn't been an official TSB yet. Also, I have a regular M3, not a Speed, and I only have the stock stereo, but I am experiencing the same issue.

Still, it was good to hear someone from a dealer say that there is an actual problem. I'll keep my fingers crossed that my dealer can confirm, but if they try to treat me like I am hearing things, at least I can refer them to Mazda South, and maybe that will help them track down the problem.

Thanks Baluu for posting this info and phone number!

 

[fredboer]

Well, still no response from the sleeping giant (Mazda Canada)... after 3 emails...

But I called my dealership today, and he was just opening up a delivery which had a new radio for my car. I will be going in on Monday (I hope), to have it installed, and I will, of course let you know what ensues...

Cheers!