All Audio drops out for around 4 seconds

[DVX135]

I tried searching for this and found a few related posts. Most of those were carplay related. Using iPhone connected via bluetooth.
My experience has been the audio drops out for +/- 4 seconds for no apparent reason. This includes audio streaming, podcasts, internal iTunes (not streaming), phone, and radio. I did try USB, but didn't make a difference.
In addition, if I get a phone call, the audio from iPhone won't work at all even though it shows playing music.

And here's the kicker: only happens in the late afternoon! No issues in the morning.
I've had my Mach e for a year and initially thought maybe it had something to do with summer heat. But does it year round regardless of temp.
Doesn't explain that it's only in the afternoon. Most of the time commuting home from work. But also happens on weekends in the afternoon.
Issue happens whether using map apps or not.

I don't use the internal navigation.
Found some post suggesting to turn off user data in navigation. Tried it, same results.

Any suggestions would be welcome.
For the most part, I'm very happy with the Mach e. Some of the electronics/software issue like these degrade an otherwise good vehicle.
thx.

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[NY_Cade69]

I tried searching for this and found a few related posts. Most of those were carplay related. Using iPhone connected via bluetooth.
My experience has been the audio drops out for +/- 4 seconds for no apparent reason. This includes audio streaming, podcasts, internal iTunes (not streaming), phone, and radio. I did try USB, but didn't make a difference.
In addition, if I get a phone call, the audio from iPhone won't work at all even though it shows playing music.

And here's the kicker: only happens in the late afternoon! No issues in the morning.
I've had my Mach e for a year and initially thought maybe it had something to do with summer heat. But does it year round regardless of temp.
Doesn't explain that it's only in the afternoon. Most of the time commuting home from work. But also happens on weekends in the afternoon.
Issue happens whether using map apps or not.

I don't use the internal navigation.
Found some post suggesting to turn off user data in navigation. Tried it, same results.

Any suggestions would be welcome.
For the most part, I'm very happy with the Mach e. Some of the electronics/software issue like these degrade an otherwise good vehicle.
thx.

Try with your phone disconnected from the car, it may be anAA or CP interuption (even without audio)
You seem to have the oldest Mach-E on the forum!

 

[DVX135]

Sorry, what are AA and CP?

 

[DVX135]

And even if I disconnect phone, then that defeats the purpose of having everything run through apple play. Seems overly complex.

 

[NY_Cade69]

Sorry, what are AA and CP?

Android Auto , Apple Carplay

 

[NY_Cade69]

And even if I disconnect phone, then that defeats the purpose of having everything run through apple play. Seems overly complex.

I was just suggesting as a way to see where this issue is starting, if it still happens you have isolated it to the radio. if it doesn't happen, we can then look into the interconnection...

 

[DVX135]

got it, I'll give it a try. frustrating as it doesn't happen every time, but certainly most times.

 

[r43ey]

Seems very similar to something I've seen. Random audio drop outs, only in the afternoon. I have only noticed it on the radio, and on one station. But if it is random, who knows? I'm going to have to pay more attention and try other audio sources. I figure it must be thermal related? I suppose my Android Auto could be triggering a mute, but only in the PM? I've probably had 100 drop outs, only between 3:30 and 5:30 pm.

 

[DVX135]

I don't believe it's thermal related. Happens in the dead of winter when single digits. Today was high 90's and didn't have the problem with all settings the same as usual. Frustrating.

 

[Brawndo what plants crave]

I know this question will sound strange, but are you tuned to an FM HD station at the time you experienced these dropouts? Even if your current audio source is not FM (e.g. SDARS, CarPlay, etc.) is your last FM station that was tuned to before changing sources an HD station?
If true, is the issue occurring always when tuned to the same HD station? Is it possible that you are listening to the same program?; which may be broadcast during the hours you are experiencing these dropouts?

 

[r43ey]

I know this question will sound strange, but are you tuned to an FM HD station at the time you experienced these dropouts? Even if your current audio source is not FM (e.g. SDARS, CarPlay, etc.) is your last FM station that was tuned to before changing sources an HD station?
If true, is the issue occurring always when tuned to the same HD station? Is it possible that you are listening to the same program?; which may be broadcast during the hours you are experiencing these dropouts?

YES! I also suspected this to be the case. The drop outs do seem to relate to the HD radio signal. When I tune to a non HD, or a more stable HD station the drop outs stop. For some reason, my most common station is stable in the morning, and not in the PM. Turning the HD off doesn't seem to help.

 

[Brawndo what plants crave]

For an experiment, keep the radio screen on the centerstack display and pay attention to the FM frequency being displayed and the station metadata (station name, program name) and also if the "HD" icon is colored in solid orange or not (indicating that HD audio is being decoded).
If you hear an audio dropout make note of any changes to the above screen during the dropout and immediately afterwards.

 

[r43ey]

I've been doing that, and when the HD is on solid there is never a problem. When there is a drop out there always has been a transition out of HD solid to no HD, though there is usually some back and forth before it goes solid, but only one drop out. I've had other vehicles where that has happened. But I tried turning HD off, and it still happens. So haven't quite figured this out yet.

 

[Brawndo what plants crave]

Please confirm that this is only happening on a single HD station when listening to a specific program. Asking because there is an issue in the ACM related to decoding HD metadata of a specific length (this is not the radio station's fault). I'm certain software fix is forthcoming though it may be a while before it will be sent OTA. For the time being change to a different FM station before switching to CarPlay or Android Auto.

Disabling HD in the HMI radio settings won't matter because the ACM is still decoding the HD metadata. But if you're a hacker you can disable HD via configuration change with FDRS or other diagnostic tool which will really prevent the HD signal from being decoded. But then you won't receive HD broadcasts at all.

 

[sergiomo]

I noticed some audio hiccups when the light sensor catches direct sunlight or a shadow while driving around, causing the display theme or brightness level to change.

Have you tried forcing both displays to either dark or light mode rather than auto?

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