Radio Flicker

[CXRabbit]

My radio lights are flickering. I have the Technology Package, and it's JUST the buttons for the radio (around the nav screen), but not including the navigation screen. All other interior and exterior lighting appears to be fine. It started tonight... lasted about 10 minutes... and then stopped.

The ONLY thing different I did today was I tried the window lock-out button. It was after that the flicker started. Reason the flicker stopped? No idea.

Anyone experience similar? Possible cause? (Yes, I'll bring it over to the dealership, but I don't see me having time to do that until next week!)

 

[CXRabbit]

First time since last Friday and the radio lights were flickering tonight again. I go in for an oil change next week, so I'm going to mention it. Audio guy took a quick look and didn't see anything wrong. Someone on another forum reported a similar problem as well (but no known cause yet).

Interestingly enough, it wasn't cold tonight (like it was last week when it happened). It also only seemed to start after I had been driving the car for a while (more than 30 minutes). I do a lot of local driving and often am not in the car longer than 10 minutes.

I can't link it to anything else. Turned off power seats it still continued. Radio off it still continued. Heat off it continued. Nav screen and other interior/exterior lights seem fine.

Any ideas?

 

[CXRabbit]

Update:

Dealer couldn't replicate the problem (which I knew would happen). I have to try to bring it in when it's occurring. They did do a PCM Flash and on another forum someone with the same problem said that fixed it - so my fingers are crossed.

 

[CXRabbit]

Update:

Last night the radio lights were flickering again. PCM Flash did not resolve it.

I took the car back to the dealer today. It has been difficult to demonstrate the problem because during the day you cannot see that the radio buttons are lit. It also doesn't happen until after the car is good and warmed up (after I've been driving it at least 30 minutes). I did drive it for a good hour before bringing it, hoping they would see the issue when it was pulled into the (darker) shop. The technician connected the car to a computer and it did not return any diagnostic codes/problems. He then called the Mazda Tech Line and they said "there have been some issues with the radio/navigation system but not this specific problem" (and my symptoms do not include the navigation screen - that seems to be fine). They told the tech to remove the radio and check connections first and that the unit might need to be replaced.

This was not something they could do today (they were on a limited schedule because of the holiday), so I am scheduled to bring the car back on January 4th (their earliest appointment available). I will be leaving the car with them for the day.

Everyone at Mazda has been VERY nice and professional, and they are trying their best to track down the issue. Right now it's more of an annoyance to me than a serious issue, but I just hope it's not an indication of other electrical gremlins.

I'll keep you posted.

 

[CXRabbit]

Update.

Okay, so I don't think it's the radio exactly.

Tonight, on the way home from x-mas eve festivities the radio button lights started flickering again. This time, I pressed the dashboard illumination button on the gauge cluster that forces all the gauge and radio lights to be in "day w/headlights mode" or bright enough to see during the day if your headlights are on (page 5-35 in the manual). The flickering stopped when I pressed the button. I pressed it again (to return to normal mode) and the flickering started right back up. I then turned the dial and adjusted the illumination all the way up (until it beeped) and the flickering stopped (I had adjusted it slightly down when I first picked up the car).

So... if this is a type of voltage regulator that controls the dimming of the gauges and radio lights, it appears to get a little funny when they are dimmed a bit. Interestingly, it doesn't cause everything to flicker, just the radio light buttons.

I'll keep my eye on it now the next few days...

 

[CX7andMiata]

Update.

Okay, so I don't think it's the radio exactly.

Tonight, on the way home from x-mas eve festivities the radio button lights started flickering again. This time, I pressed the dashboard illumination button on the gauge cluster that forces all the gauge and radio lights to be in "day w/headlights mode" or bright enough to see during the day if your headlights are on (page 5-35 in the manual). The flickering stopped when I pressed the button. I pressed it again (to return to normal mode) and the flickering started right back up. I then turned the dial and adjusted the illumination all the way up (until it beeped) and the flickering stopped (I had adjusted it slightly down when I first picked up the car).

So... if this is a type of voltage regulator that controls the dimming of the gauges and radio lights, it appears to get a little funny when they are dimmed a bit. Interestingly, it doesn't cause everything to flicker, just the radio light buttons.

I'll keep my eye on it now the next few days...

CXRabbit, I have done the same thing with mine (adjusted the intensity down a little right after I bought it) and haven't seen the problem. Wonder if you might have a flaky connection to the dash board light control...

 

[CXRabbit]

Could be and I'll mention it to Mazda on the 4th... thing is, it's ONLY the radio button lights, and it's only when they are ever so slightly dimmed... almost like it's between settings and the dimmer control doesn't exactly know what to do. I'll be keeping my eye on it, but I'm SO glad, at least the way it looks right now, that it's not the radio!

 

[CXRabbit]

Just a quick update. I've had no lights flickering since Christmas day. It was definitely the dimmer dial. I was supposed to go back to the dealer this week but with work I don't have time. I'll have them double check everything when I go for my next oil change.