[cadillacgirl]

Help! I am a cadillac sales person, and I have a customer with a problem. Don't ever think your salesperson doesn't care, we do! My customer has two XLRs, one 2004 and one 2006. He is having a horrible time with his radio on the FM band (the other bands are fine). Stations that he picked up easily in his STS, and in his other XLR are so staticy, that they are unusable. My service people are saying that those are just weak stations, however, he is picking them up just fine in his wife's XLR. The service department (supposedly) checked the FM antenna connections and wires and found nothing wrong. Has anyone else encountered this problem, and if so, what was the response?

 

[jp299390]

FM radio reception is fine in my 05. However, as many XLR owners will likely agree, AM reception is very poor. As an FYI, my 05 did not come with XM radio

 

[cadillacgirl]

Thanks for the input. No, the AM reception is fine, and some of the fm stations (yes, the closer, stronger ones) come in fine, it is the weaker ones (which are his favorites) that do not come in at all. Now, we could blame the weak signal, except his wifes XLR will pick them up parked right next to his. I also wonder if the antenna placement in the trunk, instead of in the windshield, contributes to this problem. AARRGG. I want to resolve this for my customer. If anyone has any experience to relate, i need all the help I can get. Thanks.

 

[jamsto]

My wife have both noticed some fuzzy reception on FM stations on our 2006 XLRs which we did not have on the 2004 and 2005 models. We thought that it may have to do with the change in antenna systems in the 2006 models. It seems to only affect one or two local FM stations, and not the XM radio, so we have so far just ignored it.

 

[cadillacgirl]

Thanks! The more info I get, the more ammunition I have to take to service and technical to try to get this resolved. I did check on the antenna systems on the '04 vs the 06, and according to service and parts, they are the same. I really do appriciate the info. My customer will be pleased with some validation, my stupid service department keeps treating him like "it's all in his head."

 

[Dadonator]

When it comes to the XLR....

When it comes to the XLR, EVERY service department seems 95 to 100% incompetent--what has worked for me is to find the fix yourself, often on THIS website, and then hand it to the grease monkeys to "copy the fix".

I've tried 2 dealers in Westchester, NY (Dumber and Dumberer) and would faint if either one could fix ANYTHING on the first try!:lol

Unfortunately, most of the engineering types that had the insider, answers to everything, seem to have tired of the site.

I guess, like me, after you've read every thread, covered every major problem, gotten all of the service bulletins to smack the service idiots in the head with, you kind of stop visiting to listen to Harry and Standby carry on their personal stuff! (I love you guys, don't get upset) :yesnod.

For example, I threw out a thread about my cylinder misfiring and got ZERO responses--could I have the only XLR doing it, or are there only 10 people visiting this site anymore who actually own XLR's!

I'm just sad because we need each other due to services complete incompetence--oh well, it could be worse, GM could go bankrupt and screw us all completely (I own a Suburban, Hummer & 04' Xenon Blue/Shale XLR, so I DO worry about GM!).

By the way, XM is horrible on my 04' (I cancelled it) but FM reception has been superb, including weak stations (like his wife's).

--Dadonator

 

[Guest]

Your so right, we do gab a bit to much, but as Mswaim said, "Bob has at least one good friend," So please excuse us for not using those other message boards.
There's still a wealth of info on this site, anyone looking for help just needs to research everyone's post.
bob

When it comes to the XLR, EVERY service department seems 95 to 100% incompetent--what has worked for me is to find the fix yourself, often on THIS website, and then hand it to the grease monkeys to "copy the fix".

I've tried 2 dealers in Westchester, NY (Dumber and Dumberer) and would faint if either one could fix ANYTHING on the first try!:lol

Unfortunately, most of the engineering types that had the insider, answers to everything, seem to have tired of the site.

I guess, like me, after you've read every thread, covered every major problem, gotten all of the service bulletins to smack the service idiots in the head with, you kind of stop visiting to listen to Harry and Standby carry on their personal stuff! (I love you guys, don't get upset) :yesnod.

For example, I threw out a thread about my cylinder misfiring and got ZERO responses--could I have the only XLR doing it, or are there only 10 people visiting this site anymore who actually own XLR's!

I'm just sad because we need each other due to services complete incompetence--oh well, it could be worse, GM could go bankrupt and screw us all completely (I own a Suburban, Hummer & 04' Xenon Blue/Shale XLR, so I DO worry about GM!).

By the way, XM is horrible on my 04' (I cancelled it) but FM reception has been superb, including weak stations (like his wife's).

--Dadonator

 

[Jetboyphx]

I would suggest taking them both to a qualified audio shop and testing the cables. My Catera had a service bulletin on the cable from the antenna to the head unit which when replace brought great reception. My XLR is a little weak on the low power FM stations but much better than the Inifiniti.

 

[Caly]

I believe the FM antenna is in the windshield. Either it, the connector or the cable may be defective. I doubt the dealership is going to have the equipment to actually locate where the fault is, but they could start replacing parts beginning with the easiest (cable). My bet would be a new windshield will solve the problem.

Have fun with this one.

 

[cadillacgirl]

Thank you all for your input. I also thought the fm antenna was in the windshield, but my service people are telling me that it is actually in the trunk of the XLR. Weird, isn't it. From what I have read on this and other forums, this seems to be a relatively common complaint on the '06 models, but not on the previous models. The previous models seem to have more problems with am or xm. This is what is confusing me. Why the problem on one model and not the other, when supposedly, they have the exact same design? I do believe that the antenna placement has something to do with it, because when we had it in the shop, if we opened the trunk, the stations came in clearer. Unfortunately, telling my customer to drive around with his trunk open is not an option. I will try to convince my service people to change the antenna cable and see if that helps. I will let y'all know how it turns out. (sorry about the strange contraction, but I am from the deep south! )

 

[cadillacgirl]

Hey guys, I thought I would throw this out there. The only difference that I can find between the 04, 05s and the 06s is the new intergrated xm antenna in the 06, which is also in the trunk. Could this new xm antenna be somehow interfering with the fm reception?

 

[Eyedoc]

I have noted that AM reception is consistently poor since the put antennas in the windows. My 1963 Chevy had better reception with a whip antenna.

That said, I think the AM recpetion in the XLR is worse that other "window antenna" cars.

FM reception for me is fine, although I do use XM for 90% of my listening.

 

[Quixotic]

...The only difference that I can find between the 04, 05s and the 06s is the new intergrated xm antenna in the 06, which is also in the trunk. Could this new xm antenna be somehow interfering with the fm reception?

I thought the O6's had the XM antenna in the two side rear view mirrors?

 

[Julie]

Hi Cadillac Girl!

This may be of no help to you at all, but my 2005 Corvette has always had FM static, and our quick fix is to switch to AM radio for a second, and then switch back to FM radio. It works. (This car does not have XM radio, and my CD reception is great.)

It was my understanding that GM had a fix on this. I had my antennae replaced, but that didn't help, and I never went back to the dealer after that to fix it, (I'm driving the XLR too much), so I don't have that info handy, but here's a link to the corvette info.

Maybe this can help you if the problem is similar.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=918275

I'll dig around for the GM fix information for you.

Good luck.

 

[Guest]

I would hope your CD receptions was great:glol :glol :glol

Hi Cadillac Girl!

This may be of no help to you at all, but my 2005 Corvette has always had FM static, and our quick fix is to switch to AM radio for a second, and then switch back to FM radio. It works. (This car does not have XM radio, and my CD reception is great.)

It was my understanding that GM had a fix on this. I had my antennae replaced, but that didn't help, and I never went back to the dealer after that to fix it, (I'm driving the XLR too much), so I don't have that info handy, but here's a link to the corvette info.

Maybe this can help you if the problem is similar.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=918275

I'll dig around for the GM fix information for you.

Good luck.

 

[Ed and Sandra]

Please see our post in this thread (especially our 3rd paragraph):

http://www.xlrforum.com/showthread.php?t=631

It is very easy to screw up the FM connectors and / or the alignment of the antennae wires (lightly hot glued in place) if the rear panel is loosened for any reason.

We continue to enjoy superb XM reception and excellent FM from rather remote stations.

Best wishes and good luck (and thank you for caring about your customers),
Ed and Sandra

 

[gb10998]

When it comes to the XLR, EVERY service department seems 95 to 100% incompetent--what has worked for me is to find the fix yourself, often on THIS website, and then hand it to the grease monkeys to "copy the fix".

I've tried 2 dealers in Westchester, NY (Dumber and Dumberer) and would faint if either one could fix ANYTHING on the first try!:lol

Unfortunately, most of the engineering types that had the insider, answers to everything, seem to have tired of the site.

I guess, like me, after you've read every thread, covered every major problem, gotten all of the service bulletins to smack the service idiots in the head with, you kind of stop visiting to listen to Harry and Standby carry on their personal stuff! (I love you guys, don't get upset) :yesnod.

For example, I threw out a thread about my cylinder misfiring and got ZERO responses--could I have the only XLR doing it, or are there only 10 people visiting this site anymore who actually own XLR's!

I'm just sad because we need each other due to services complete incompetence--oh well, it could be worse, GM could go bankrupt and screw us all completely (I own a Suburban, Hummer & 04' Xenon Blue/Shale XLR, so I DO worry about GM!).

By the way, XM is horrible on my 04' (I cancelled it) but FM reception has been superb, including weak stations (like his wife's).

--Dadonator

Dadonator:

I take my xenon Blue 05 to Poughkeepsie Chevrolet/Cadillac on Rte 9 in Poughkeepsie (opposite the Poughkeepsie Galleria. They've got a great Tech named John, and a service manager named Tyrell who are first rate in customer service and repair. John really spends a lot of time working on the problem (took him a couple of tries to sort out my roof, but he worked with Detroit and finally got the fix done).
They're good guys and take care with the car. Roof aside, every other fix has been complete and done right the first time.
One caution: Poughkeepsie Chevrolet has taken to adding extra charges to the bills on my Chevy repairs. "fuel surcharge" and "disposal Fee" were the last two. So if you have non-warranty work done, read the bill. You need to refuse to pay these charges!
This, however, has nothing to do with their service, which is first rate on my XLR.
BTW, I've been watching for you (I work in Irvington) but haven't seen you!

 

[Dadonator]

To GB10998

gb10998, Poughkeepsie is pretty far from Irvington, isn't it? I've been going to Sholz since Gidron was shut down for sales-tax evasion, but after Monday's visit I will try your guys. Have been to any other Caddy dealers in the area?

By the way, rumor has it that your wife drives a Hummer. This is getting weird, but my wife drives a red H3! (My wife finds out everything at RiverSpa or the nail places).:crazy

I haven't been driving around town much lately (Irvington doesn't have much to go to) and the snow/slush isn't so fun in the XLR, although I've found the traction to be really decent, I just hate the mess on the Shale (off-white) interior.

The two tone interior is one of my pet peeves on the 04'--they show you a sample of Xenon Blue paint and the DARK Shale interior, then the car shows up with only the top surfaces in DARK shale, and the carpets, doors and seats in off-white, possibly the most stupid color for an interior EVER!:cuss

Should've sent you a private message for this, sorry everyone!

Anyway, thanks for the tip!

--Bob

 

[alk3997]

Help! I am a cadillac sales person, and I have a customer with a problem. Don't ever think your salesperson doesn't care, we do! My customer has two XLRs, one 2004 and one 2006. He is having a horrible time with his radio on the FM band (the other bands are fine). Stations that he picked up easily in his STS, and in his other XLR are so staticy, that they are unusable. My service people are saying that those are just weak stations, however, he is picking them up just fine in his wife's XLR. The service department (supposedly) checked the FM antenna connections and wires and found nothing wrong. Has anyone else encountered this problem, and if so, what was the response?

A couple of ideas I didn't see in any of the other posts:

1) The most common cause of bad reception with antenna's that use coax cables is the middle stem is bent so it doesn't actually connect. Unfortunately I can't remember if the XLR uses a coax connector or some modification on the connector.

2) The radio could be responsible if the FM auto-tune circuitry had a problem. The XLR also uses diversity antennas (two, if I remember right) and is supposed to choose the stronger signal. If that circuit is malfunctioning, then you could get a problem.

If it were me, I would see if another radio could be temporarily borrowed to find the problem. If the other radio still has the same problem then it must be in the antennas or wiring. That a second XLR doesn't show the same symptoms says that there is something wrong with the XLR and not a generic problem (or problem with the station).

Andy

 

[Ed and Sandra]

1) The most common cause of bad reception with antenna's that use coax cables is the middle stem is bent so it doesn't actually connect. Unfortunately I can't remember if the XLR uses a coax connector or some modification on the connector.

Andy

We don't know what type of wiring leads from the radio to the antennae loops in the trunk area, but rather doubt it's coax. In the trunk area the antennae wiring is very lightweight (typical of what one would expect for FM) and has small white male / female connectors (one on each side of the loop) that attach to more lightweight wire leading off in the direction of the radio.

Best regards,
Ed and Sandra