Radio/Audio System

Radio/Audio System Description and Operation

The entertainment system on this vehicle may have several different configurations available to it. To determine the specific configuration of the vehicle, please see the Service Parts ID Label, and refer to RPO Code List (RPO Code List).

The entertainment system on this vehicle is configured with either a base or an uplevel system. The base and uplevel systems each contain a radio, antenna, speakers, and on some systems an audio amplifier. The uplevel system differs from the base system by providing the customer with enhanced audio system features. Some of those features may include the radio data system (RDS), an audio amplifier, programmable equalizer (EQ), and digital satellite radio (U2K).

Each item in the list below represents topics covered in detail below.

* Radio Circuit Operation
* Antenna System
* AM/FM Reception
* Speaker Operation
* Radio Data System (RDS)
* Radio Data System (RDS) Messages
* MP3/CD Formatting Information for MP3/CD Radios (If equipped)
* Integral Multi Disc CD Changer (IMDX)
* Radio Error Messages
* Theft Deterrent
* Steering Wheel Controls
* Auxiliary Input Jack
* Speed Compensated Volume (SCV)

Radio Circuit Operation

Radio Power

The radio is supplied power by a fused B+ circuit. The radio does not use a discrete ignition feed circuit for power moding. The power mode master (PMM) provides the system power mode to the radio via serial data messages. The PMM determines the system power mode by processing power mode information from ignition switch inputs. Serial data power modes supported by the radio are OFF, ACCESSORY, RUN, and CRANK REQUEST.

Radio Grounds

The vehicle harness provides a ground for the radio circuits. The radio may also be case grounded.

Radio Data Link Communication

The radio communicates with other modules via serial data.

Radio Outputs

At minimum volume, the plus (+) and minus (-) speaker outputs are approximately half battery voltage, measured to vehicle ground. As the volume increases, the plus and minus change to create a voltage difference between each other either driving the voice coil of the speaker, or being fed to an amplifier.

Radio Head Dimming

Dimming and backlighting levels are determined by the serial data messages the radio receives.

Antenna System

Fixed Mast Antenna

The fixed mast antenna can withstand most car washes without being damaged. If the mast should ever become slightly bent, straighten it out by hand. If the mast is badly bent, replace it.

Check occasionally to make sure the mast is still tightened to its base. If tightening is required, tighten by hand, then with a wrench one quarter turn.

AM/FM Reception

Radio Signal

The radio signal is sent from a broadcast station and is then received by an antenna. The strength of the signal received depends on the following:

* The power output (wattage) of the broadcasting station
* The location of the vehicle (or receiver) relative to the broadcast tower.
* Obstacles between the tower and the receiver
* Atmospheric conditions
* What band (AM or FM) the station is broadcasting
* Type of antenna and the ground plane

AM Reception

The AM band has a lower frequency range than the FM band. These longer wavelengths:

* Bend around Obstacles
* Follow the curvature of the earth
* May reflect off the ionosphere (skip)

The AM frequencies have longer range due to the ground wave. The ground wave follows the curvature of the earth and is effected by its conductivity. Greater conductivity equates to less signal loss thus transmission over water is better than over land. The AM band has a range of 80-320 km (50-200 miles).

FM Reception

The shorter wavelengths of the higher frequency FM band:

* Reflect off obstacles
* Are absorbed by the ground
* Penetrate the ionosphere

Broadcasts in the FM band are limited to line of sight reception which is typically 40 km (25 miles). Even when out of a direct line of sight, the signal may be reflected into areas that would be in a shadow otherwise. Factors which affect the line of sight include:

* Height of the broadcast antenna
* Height of the receiving antenna
* Terrain and buildings in the broadcast path

Speaker Operation

Speakers turn electrical energy into mechanical energy to move air, using a permanent magnet and an electromagnet. The electromagnet is energized when the radio or amplifier (if equipped) delivers current to the voice coil on the speaker. The voice coil will form a north and south pole that will cause the voice coil and the speaker cone to move in relation to the permanent magnet. The current delivered to the speaker is rapidly changing alternating current (A/C). This causes the speaker cone to move in two directions producing sound. When the speaker is at rest, such as when the volume at a minimum value, the voltage applied to each side of the speaker is 1/2 ignition system voltage. This way, the speaker cone can be moved in either direction.

Radio Data System (RDS) (If equipped)

The radio may be equipped with the Radio Data System (RDS). The RDS feature is available only on FM stations that broadcast RDS information. This system relies upon receiving specific information from these stations and only works when the information is available. While the radio is tuned to an FM-RDS station, the station name or call letters display.

RDS data is carried in what is known as a "subcarrier". A subcarrier is a frequency that the FM broadcaster is authorized to use to send data that is not audible in the main audio program.

* RDS functions will only work with FM broadcast stations that are broadcasting RDS data.
* Not all FM Broadcast stations broadcast RDS data or offer all of the RDS services.
* The information displayed is dependent upon the information broadcast by the particular station. The information may vary greatly between stations.
* RDS functions may not work properly when reception is weak, reception is of poor quality, or RDS is not implemented properly by the FM Broadcaster.
* In some cases, a radio station broadcasting incorrect information may cause the RDS features of the radio to appear to work improperly.

With RDS, the radio can do the following:

* Seek to stations broadcasting the selected type of programming
* Receive announcements concerning local and national emergencies
* Display messages from radio stations

RDS may display text information such as:

* The name of the station.
* The type of program.
* General information such as artist and song title, call in phone numbers, etc.

RDS Messages

* ALERT!: Alert warns of local or national emergencies. When an alert announcement comes on the current radio station, ALERT! displays. You will hear the announcement, even if the volume is low or a CD is playing. If a CD is playing, play stops during the announcement. Alert announcements cannot be turned off. ALERT! is not affected by tests of the emergency broadcast system. This feature is not supported by all RDS stations.
* INFO (Information): If the current station has a message, the information symbol or INFO displays. Press this button to see the message. The message can display the artist, song title, call in phone numbers, etc. If the entire message can not be displayed, parts of the message appear every three seconds. To scroll through the message, press and release the INFO button. A new group of words displays after every press of this button. Once the complete message has displayed, the information symbol or INFO disappears from the display until another new message is received. The last message is displayed by pressing the INFO button. View the last message until a new message is received or you tune to a different station.

MP3/CD Formatting Information for MP3/CD Radios

The MP3/CD equipped radios will play standard audio CDs, and MP3/WMA files that were recorded on a CD-R or CD-RW disc. Customers who record their own music CDs should be aware of the following:

* The radio will only play audio from a CD-R/RW, it cannot record audio.
* Standard audio and MP3/WMA files should not be mixed on a disc.
* Song title, artist name, and album can display when files are recorded using ID3 tags version 1 and 2.
* Long file, folder, or playlist names, or a combination of a large number of files and folders, or playlists can cause the player to be unable to play up to the maximum number of files, folders, playlists, or sessions.
* The radio supports multi-session discs, but only the files from the last session will be played.

Integral Multi Disc CD Changer (IMDX) (If equipped)

The integral multi disc CD changer has the capability of storing and playing up to six (6) compact discs. The integral multi disc CD changer has a shock-absorbing system. Only under extreme operating temperatures or severe shock or vibration should the compact disc player skip or mute. If the customer travels an abnormally rough road, a skip condition may be normal. Test drive the vehicle on a normal road with a known good CD. If the condition is still present, replace the radio. The use of CD lens cleaner discs is not advised, due to the risk of contaminating the lens of the CD optics with lubricants internal to the CD mechanism.

The CD mechanism within the ICDX radio will begin an initialization routine after a battery connect (e.g., connecting radio connector X1). The initialization process takes approximately 25 seconds to complete. It is very critical that the initialization is completed before removing battery power from the radio, in order for the complex moving parts of the CD mechanism to be positioned properly before shipping and/or handling purposes. Damage may result to the moving parts of the CD mechanism if battery power is removed during the initialization routine. The damage occurs to the CD mechanism during subsequent shipping or handling operations. The extent of the damage causes the CD mechanism not to recover and the mechanism becomes inoperative.

Radio Error Messages

The Radio may display the following Error Messages (Not all messages may be applicable):

* ERR: This message is displayed when the radio is unable to play the inserted cassette or CD
* LOC: This message is displayed when the radio has entered Theft mode.
* CAL/CAL ERR: This message is displayed when the radio has detected an invalid calibration.
* CDX ERR: Displays if communication is lost with the remote CD changer.
* CHECK CD: Displays when the player encounters a focus or tracking error.
* CHK CDXX: Displays when the CD changer encounters a focus or tracking error.
* CHK TAPE: Displays if a tape has been inserted but is unable to be played due to an error.
* DOOR OPEN: Displays when the CD changer door has been left open.
* NO DISC: Displays when the radio expected a disc to be inserted.
* NONE: Displays when the radio is unable to detect the vehicle speed data information via the serial data circuit.

If an error message is displayed, perform the appropriate diagnostics.

Theft Deterrent

The radio theft deterrent system is intended to disable or limit radio functionality if incorrect vehicle information is received by the radio. The radio disables functionality if the VIN information received by the radio does not match the VIN information that has been learned by the radio. A VIN sequence is the last 6 digits of the VIN. The radio receives this information via serial data. A possible cause of incorrect VIN info could be the radio was originally installed in another vehicle.

The radio has the following theft operating modes as part of the theft deterrent system:

* Normal Mode--A radio has received a VIN sequence. The radio only learns the VIN sequence if the VIN sequence contained all 6 digits. In this mode the radio has full functionality.
* No VIN Mode--A radio that has not received or learned a VIN. In this mode the radio has limited functionality.
* Theft Detected Mode--A radio that had previously learned a VIN sequence and subsequently received a VIN sequence not matching the learned sequence. In this mode the radio has limited functionality.

Steering Wheel Controls (if equipped)

Some audio functions are available using the steering wheel controls. The steering wheel controls duplicate the function of the primary controls available on the radio.

For additional information on steering wheel controls, refer to Steering Wheel Controls Description and Operation (Steering Wheel Controls).

Using the Auxiliary Input Jack (if equipped)

The radio system may have a 3.5 mm auxiliary input jack located on the faceplate. An external audio device such as an MP3 player, CD changer, laptop computer, cassette tape player, etc. can be connected to the auxiliary input jack for use as another source for audio listening. This is not an audio output; do not plug a headphone set into the front auxiliary input jack.

To use a portable audio player, connect a 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) cable to the radio's front auxiliary input jack. While a device is connected, press the radio CD/AUX button to begin playing audio from the device over the vehicle speakers. If there is a CD in the player, pressing the button once will play the CD, pressing again will switch it to the AUX feature.

Speed Compensated Volume (If equipped)

With Speed Compensated Volume (SCV), the audio system will adjust automatically to make up for road and wind noise as you drive, by increasing the volume as vehicle speed increases. To use SCV, set the volume at the desired level, and then select either Low, Medium, or High. To turn SCV off, select the Off screen button.