HK Radio Fades in and Out - 2004 330Ci

[frogman]

My 2004 330Ci's radio fades in and out, it's hard for me to put a finger on what's happening but it's more than just a volume drop. It seems like the imaging just 'quits' from time to time and I'm listening to just mono music. This does not happen with a CD.

The stations in question are not terribly weak, the mediocre stereo in my old Mercedes 230SLK could lock onto them fine and experienced no such fade.

This issue may be similar to or the same as the one in this thread (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32175) but that was a year ago and I wanted to see if anyone else is experiencing this problem. I just took delivery of the car, and while CDs sound fine, the 'drops' in music make listening to radio a terrible experience.

[gfeiner]

If you have navigation, see this thread:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60255

[frogman]

If you have navigation, see this thread:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60255

Thanks! Question: when I called service they said I had to come in twice, once for a tech to 'confirm the problem' then if they confirmed it, then again to replace it after they order the part.

This sound dumb, if it's a documented failure of the part which even preceded my purchase of the car.

Is this normal, or will service depts order parts in advance with this kind of service bulletin?

thanks again-

[gfeiner]

Thanks! Question: when I called service they said I had to come in twice, once for a tech to 'confirm the problem' then if they confirmed it, then again to replace it after they order the part.

This sound dumb, if it's a documented failure of the part which even preceded my purchase of the car.

Is this normal, or will service depts order parts in advance with this kind of service bulletin?

thanks again-


That is normal. All failures have to be verified before replacing a part. The radio is not kept in stock for two reasons: 1. It is very expensive. Dealers have to pay for parts they order. 2. It is a new part and it is not even in their ETK parts system yet. To order it, they have to call a special "hot-line" and speak with a live person to order the radio with the updated firmware.