Pinpoint Test K: Poor Reception/Poor Sound Quality/No Sound - Satellite Radio
Information and Entertainment System
Pinpoint Tests
Pinpoint Test K: Poor Reception/Poor Sound Quality/No Sound - Satellite Radio
Normal Operation - Vehicles Without Navigation
Digital signals are received by the satellite radio antenna and sent to the Satellite Digital Audio Receiver System (SDARS) module, which converts the signals and provides audio signals to the Audio Control Module (ACM). The satellite radio audio signals route through the audio Rear Control Unit (RCU) module (vehicles without a family entertainment system) or the Rear Entertainment Module (RETM) (vehicles with a family entertainment system). If the vehicle is equipped with the SYNC system, the audio signals route through the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) before routing to the audio RCU module or RETM.
Vehicles With Navigation
Digital signals are received by the satellite radio antenna and sent directly to the ACM, as the satellite radio receiver is built-in to the ACM.
A short to ground in the satellite radio antenna typically has no effect on the antenna signal. However, an open in the antenna circuit can result in no sound from the satellite radio system. A short to voltage in the antenna circuit can have varying effects on the system.
All Vehicles
Reception can be affected by obstructions to the antenna line-of-sight, such as tall buildings, bridges, driving under an overpass, or being parked in a garage. This is considered normal operation. Make sure the vehicle is in an open area, free of obstacles, before testing the reception.
This pinpoint test is intended to diagnose the following:
- Obstructions to the antenna line of sight
- No channel found in the selected category
- Satellite radio antenna
- Satellite radio antenna cable
- Wiring, terminals or connectors
- SDARS module (vehicles without navigation)
- ACM (vehicles with navigation)
PINPOINT TEST K: POOR RECEPTION/POOR SOUND QUALITY/NO SOUND - SATELLITE AUDIO
NOTICE: Use the correct probe adapter(s) when making measurements. Failure to use the correct probe adapter(s) may damage the connector.
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K1 CHECK THE RECEPTION AND CATEGORY FILTER SETTING
- Turn the category filter function off. For additional information, refer to the Owner's Literature.
- Drive the vehicle to an open location, free of obstacles.
- Scan for a good channel.
- Does the satellite radio system find a good channel with normal reception?
Yes
The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern was a result of no channel being found in the selected category or obstructions to the antenna line of sight.
No
GO to K2.
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K2 CHECK THE SATELLITE SIGNAL PID
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the scan tool: ACM DataLogger (Vehicles With Navigation) or SDARS Module DataLogger (Vehicles Without Navigation).
- For vehicles without navigation, monitor the SDARS module PID (SATELTE).
- For vehicles with navigation, monitor the ACM PID (SAT_SIG_STR).
- Does the PID indicate "No Signal"?
Yes
GO to K3.
No
For vehicles without navigation, GO to K5.
For vehicles with navigation, GO to Pinpoint Test M. Pinpoint Test M: The Satellite Radio Is Inoperative/Does Not Operate Correctly - Vehicles With Navigation
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K3 CHECK THE SATELLITE RADIO ANTENNA CABLE RESISTANCE
- Ignition OFF.
- Disconnect: Satellite Radio Antenna Connection At SDARS Module or ACM.
- Disconnect: Satellite Radio Antenna Cable In-Line Connection At RH Kick Panel.
- Disconnect: Satellite Radio Antenna Connection At Satellite Radio Antenna.
- Measure the resistance of the rear satellite radio antenna cable core between the satellite radio antenna and the satellite radio antenna in-line connection; and between the rear satellite radio antenna cable core and shield.
- Measure the resistance of the front satellite radio antenna cable core between the SDARS module (vehicles without navigation) or the ACM (vehicles with navigation) and the satellite radio antenna in-line connection; and between the front satellite radio antenna cable core and shield.
- Is the resistance of each satellite radio antenna cable core less than 1 ohm, and the resistance between the core and shield of each satellite radio antenna cable greater than 10,000 ohms?
Yes
GO to K4.
No
INSTALL a new front or rear satellite radio antenna cable, as necessary. REFER to Antenna Cable - Satellite Radio Antenna Cable - Satellite Radio. CLEAR any DTCs present. TEST the system for normal operation.
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K4 ISOLATE THE SATELLITE RADIO ANTENNA
- Install a new satellite radio antenna. Refer to Antenna - Satellite Radio Antenna - Satellite Radio.
- Operate the audio system in satellite radio mode.
- Is the reception OK?
Yes
The concern was caused by an inoperative satellite radio antenna. The system is operating correctly at this time.
No
For vehicles without navigation, GO to K15.
For vehicles with navigation, GO to K19.
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K5 DETERMINE THE VEHICLE CONTENT
- Determine if the vehicle is equipped with the SYNC system.
- Is the vehicle equipped with the SYNC system?
Yes
GO to K6.
No
GO to K9.
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K6 CHECK THE SYNC SYSTEM AUDIO
- Connect: Multi-Media Interface Tester.
- Using the Multi-Media Interface Tester, test the audio output for the audio input jack, USB port, and Bluetooth connection.
- Do the SYNC system audio sources operate correctly?
Yes
GO to K7.
No
GO to K11.
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K7 CHECK THE AUDIO CIRCUITS TO THE APIM FOR A SHORT TO VOLTAGE
- Ignition OFF.
- Disconnect: SDARS Module C3290.
- Disconnect: APIM C3342.
- Ignition ON.
- Measure the voltage between the SDARS module, harness side and ground as follows:
- Is any voltage present?
Yes
REPAIR the circuit in question. TEST the system for normal operation.
No
GO to K8.
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K8 CHECK THE AUDIO CIRCUITS TO THE APIM FOR AN OPEN OR SHORT TO GROUND
- Ignition OFF.
- Measure the resistance between the SDARS module, harness side and the APIM, harness side; and between the SDARS module, harness side and ground as follows:
- Is the resistance less than 5 ohms between the SDARS module and the APIM, and greater than 10,000 ohms between the SDARS module and ground?
Yes
GO to K9.
No
REPAIR the circuit in question. TEST the system for normal operation.
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K9 CHECK THE AUDIO CIRCUITS TO THE AUDIO RCU MODULE (OR RETM) FOR A SHORT TO VOLTAGE
- Ignition OFF.
- Disconnect: SDARS Module C3290 (If Connected).
- Disconnect: Audio RCU Module C3077 or RETM C949.
- Ignition ON.
- Measure the voltage between the audio RCU module (or RETM), harness side and ground as follows:
- Is any voltage present?
Yes
REPAIR the circuit in question. TEST the system for normal operation.
No
GO to K10.
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K10 CHECK THE AUDIO CIRCUITS TO THE AUDIO RCU MODULE (OR RETM) FOR AN OPEN OR SHORT TO GROUND
- Ignition OFF.
- For vehicles without the SYNC system, measure the resistance between the audio RCU module (or RETM), harness side and the SDARS module, harness side; and between the audio RCU module (or RETM), harness side and ground as follows:
- For vehicles with the SYNC system, measure the resistance between the audio RCU module (or RETM), harness side and the APIM, harness side; and between the audio RCU module (or RETM), harness side and ground as follows:
- Are the resistances less than 5 ohms between components, and greater than 10,000 ohms between each component and ground?
Yes
GO to K11.
No
REPAIR the circuit in question. TEST the system for normal operation.
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K11 CHECK THE AUDIO CIRCUITS TO THE ACM FOR A SHORT TO VOLTAGE
- Ignition OFF.
- Disconnect: ACM C240c.
- Disconnect: Audio RCU Module C3077 (If Equipped) or RETM C949 (If Equipped).
- Ignition ON.
- Measure the voltage between the ACM, harness side and ground as follows:
- Is any voltage present?
Yes
REPAIR the circuit in question. TEST the system for normal operation.
No
GO to K12.
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K12 CHECK THE AUDIO CIRCUITS TO THE ACM FOR AN OPEN OR SHORT TO GROUND
- Ignition OFF.
- Measure the resistance between the ACM, harness side and the audio RCU module (or RETM), harness side; and between the ACM, harness side and ground as follows:
- Is the resistance less than 5 ohms between the ACM and the audio RCU module (or RETM), and greater than 10,000 ohms between the ACM and ground?
Yes
If the vehicle is equipped with the SYNC system, GO to K13.
Otherwise, GO to K14.
No
REPAIR the circuit in question. TEST the system for normal operation.
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K13 ISOLATE THE APIM
- Ignition OFF.
- Connect: SDARS Module C3290.
- Connect: ACM C240c.
- Connect: Audio RCU Module C3077 (If Equipped) or RETM C949 (If Equipped).
- Connect fused jumper wires between the APIM pins as follows:
- Operate the audio system in satellite radio mode.
- Does the satellite radio audio operate correctly?
Yes
REMOVE the jumper wires. GO to K16.
No
REMOVE the jumper wires. GO to K14.
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K14 ISOLATE THE AUDIO RCU MODULE (OR RETM)
- Ignition OFF.
- Connect: SDARS Module C3290 (If Disconnected).
- Connect: ACM C240c (If Disconnected).
- Connect: APIM C3342 (If Disconnected).
- Disconnect: Audio RCU Module C3077 (If Connected And Equipped) or RETM C949 (If Connected And Equipped).
- Connect fused jumper wires between the audio RCU module (or RETM) pins as follows:
- Operate the audio system in satellite radio mode.
- Does the satellite radio audio operate correctly?
Yes
REMOVE the jumper wires.
If the vehicle is equipped with a family entertainment system, GO to K18.
Otherwise, GO to K17.
No
REMOVE the jumper wires. GO to K15.
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K15 CHECK FOR CORRECT SDARS MODULE OPERATION
- Connect: All Disconnected Connectors.
- Disconnect the SDARS module connector.
- Check for:
- corrosion
- damaged pins
- pushed-out pins
- Connect the SDARS module connector and make sure it seats correctly.
- Operate the system and verify the concern is still present.
- Is the concern still present?
Yes
INSTALL a new SDARS module. REFER to Satellite Digital Audio Receiver System (SDARS) Module Satellite Digital Audio Receiver System (SDARS) Module.
TEST the system for normal operation.
No
The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern may have been caused by a loose or corroded connector.
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K16 CHECK FOR CORRECT APIM OPERATION
- Connect: All Disconnected Connectors.
- Disconnect the APIM connector.
- Check for:
- corrosion
- damaged pins
- pushed-out pins
- Connect the APIM connector and make sure it seats correctly.
- Wait 2 minutes for the APIM to re-initialize.
- Operate the system and verify the concern is still present.
- Is the concern still present?
Yes
INSTALL a new APIM. REFER to Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM). TEST the system for normal operation.
No
The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern may have been caused by a loose or corroded connector.
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K17 CHECK FOR CORRECT AUDIO RCU MODULE OPERATION
- Connect: All Disconnected Connectors.
- Disconnect the audio RCU module connector.
- Check for:
- corrosion
- damaged pins
- pushed-out pins
- Connect the audio RCU module connector and make sure it seats correctly.
- Is the concern still present?
Yes
INSTALL a new audio RCU module. REFER to Audio Rear Control Unit (RCU) Module Audio Rear Control Unit (RCU) Module. TEST the system for normal operation.
No
The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern may have been caused by a loose or corroded connector.
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K18 CHECK FOR CORRECT RETM OPERATION
- Connect: All Disconnected Connectors.
- Disconnect the RETM connector.
- Check for:
- corrosion
- damaged pins
- pushed-out pins
- Connect the RETM connector and make sure it seats correctly.
- Is the concern still present?
Yes
INSTALL a new RETM. REFER to Rear Entertainment Module (RETM) Service and Repair. TEST the system for normal operation.
No
The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern may have been caused by a loose or corroded connector.
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K19 CHECK FOR CORRECT ACM OPERATION
- Connect: All Disconnected Connectors.
- Ignition OFF.
- Disconnect all the ACM connectors.
- Check for:
- corrosion
- damaged pins
- pushed-out pins
- Connect all the ACM connectors and make sure they seat correctly.
- Operate the system and determine if the concern is still present.
- Is the concern still present?
Yes
INSTALL a new ACM. REFER to Audio Control Module (ACM) Audio Control Module (ACM). TEST the system for normal operation.
No
The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern may have been caused by a loose or corroded connector.
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