No audio from any source – 22WT

[80H-d]

Hi guys.

For the past 3 days, I've been unable to make my vehicle produce one singular sound from the speakers with any source. Not wireless AA, not radio, not bluetooth, not wired, not even sirius. Additionally the noise for startup alerts and the parking sensors sounds different—harsher and more annoying.

2022 Wildtrak, Lux Package with factory B&O sound system. 18600 miles. Typically, I use wireless android auto with my S24U.

More details below:

• I first encountered this issue several weeks ago after driving for about 15-18 minutes. As the next song started, there was no sound. I made sure it wasn't the song having a quiet intro by flicking through the next few as well. I was using wireless android auto, so I parked and double checked my phone, as well as toggled through other sources to no avail. The next day the car was fine. Still, I did research on this forum and found others with similar issues here:
  • Carplay/Sync no audio intermittent issue | Bronco6G - 2021+ Ford Bronco & Bronco Raptor Forum, News, Blog & Owners Community
  • Wireless Android Auto stopped working | Bronco6G - 2021+ Ford Bronco & Bronco Raptor Forum, News, Blog & Owners Community
• I factory reset Sync 4 that night, and then connected the phone as typical.
• I then experienced several weeks with no issues at all. I even had 0 issues connecting to wireless android auto, which this vehicle has taught me is not to be expected. I enjoyed the seamless experience for a change.
• About 3 days ago, I began experiencing this issue again. I have tried all the little techniques and maneuvers to sort it out, mostly found in the first link above:
  • Reboot the computer
    • By POW + VOL+
    • By turning the car off, opening the door, shutting the door, and turning the car back on
  • Dis/reconnect the phone
    • Remove the car from phone's bluetooth list
  • Factory reset the car again
  • Try other audio sources
    • FM Radio set to known station, bluetooth to same phone, sirius
  • Try other phones
    • Wife's S24
• Now, instead of the issue being intermittent or fixable with an infotainment reboot, it seems to have finished failing and does not work at all.
  • My parking sensors and startup alerts continue to make the most ghastly harsh noises, which has actually been my first clue that whatever solution I just tried failed to address the issue.
• My Sync 4 software version is "24127_PRODUCT rev. 1270"
  • I saw in one of the posts linked above that this was supposed to be the second coming of stability updates, and that it would fix everything. I remember the version, specifically 24127, that's the one that was supposed to fix it. Several other users claim having experienced unprecedented stability since that update, which sounds a lot like what I experienced prior to 3 days ago.
• After going on a 45 minute drive to visit someone (silent the whole time), I experienced exactly one second of garbled sound at roughly minute 35 of the trip home.

I don't know if this can be explained by something along the lines of a poorly plugged cable or cold solder joint. Too many elements make that unlikely to be the case:

• Why would it get fixed after a factory reset, and why would an additional one fail to help?
• How could the system be fine for a number of weeks, and all of a sudden fail again?
• I live in Arizona. Why would it take 45 minutes going somewhere, then being parked for a few hours, then 35 minutes back for it to "warm up" sufficiently?
• Why would the speakers play for specifically one second before failing again?

Kind of at my wit's end here, but at least it's convertible season soon I guess?

Sponsored

 

[Dan-O]

I didn’t see you mention if any aftermarket stereo equipment or the such has been added. Or if the center trim covers have been removed and replaced for some other mods. My initial suspicion would be that a connection or connector was vibrating apart(why it was working intermittently for awhile) and then finally totally separated or combination of that possibly blew a fuse. Other than that I would start by checking all fuses to see if any one is found at fault.

 

[Chrome_Pony]

Agree with the above. Installing the 4DTech CANopener give me no audio symptoms initially when the connection behind the HMI screen was not seated all the way. Fully reseating all connections got it back.

Taking your dash down that far to check that connection isn't exactly for the faint of heart though.

I was in it for a number of other installs, so it was necessary.

 

[80H-d]

I have done 0 mods to the car.

I should also add that twiddling the volume knob fails to change the volume—it seems to be stuck at 0. That maybe? lines up with a bad fuse. Here's hoping. I can check soon

 

[80H-d]

Fuse is ok.

I did find this post:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/stereo-volume-issue.28924/

This post does not contain the fix the dealership may have applied, but it at least makes me feel less alone.

 

[Dan-O]

Fuse is ok.

I did find this post:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/stereo-volume-issue.28924/

This post does not contain the fix the dealership may have applied, but it at least makes me feel less alone.

Hopefully disconnecting and reconnecting battery will resolve your issue. Please keep us updated.

 

[80H-d]

No luck with the battery. Very cool. Guess it's off to the dealer.

ETA: I really, really, really don't want this to go from "$250 for pressing some buttons on a computer to fix software" to "$1400 to replace the head unit because the technician made a mistake and bricked it"—any advice on avoiding that?

 

[HeliPilot]

Just for funsies, have you checked the volume buttons on your steering wheel. Is the volume down button stuck in the pressed in position?? Like maybe coffee or something spilled and has it stuck.

 

[Brian_B]

Seems like someone else had this issue and it was a shorted out speaker, so the system just cut power to everything to keep from blowing up the ACM

 

[80H-d]

Just for funsies, have you checked the volume buttons on your steering wheel. Is the volume down button stuck in the pressed in position?? Like maybe coffee or something spilled and has it stuck.

If it was, the "audio volume" popup would be stuck on the screen. I've also never spilled anything in the vehicle. I did mess with both the knob and the steering controls though.

 

[80H-d]

Seems like someone else had this issue and it was a shorted out speaker, so the system just cut power to everything to keep from blowing up the ACM

Can you link me to a post if you can find one? Would appreciate getting more details on this

 

[dejones64]

I've had this happen also (22 BD). Also had half of my speakers go out, right side, rear, would go out intermittently. Also had carply disconnect randomly. The reset seemed to work for a bit, hold the radio power and fast forward buttons until it resets.

 

[80H-d]

Seems like someone else had this issue and it was a shorted out speaker, so the system just cut power to everything to keep from blowing up the ACM

I've just last night checked the speakers and the amp and nothing seems to be shorted.

More and more convinced it's software. If there was a wiring problem, why after 3 years? I haven't even taken this poor thing onto the dirt in over a year to rattle things loose.

I was thinking it could be the heat, but I've been parked in a garage the past 6 months; I used to park outside before that.

It's time to pay my participation fee at the dealer.

 

[80H-d]

On a hunch, I just replaced the battery. It had no effect on the issue.

I had no indication to expect a bad battery, as the voltage read fine from the dash, it starts on the first crank, and my dad's OBD2 tool indicated no issues, but it's the original battery and you only get around 3 years from a battery out here.

It's at least one thing crossed off the list, and a different sort of peace of mind going forward.

 

[Brian_B]

What are the stored DTC codes?

Sponsored