2006 M35X with bose 14 speaker - Back Seat White noise

[myellen]

I have a 2006 M35X with the Bose sound system, and I am getting white noise coming from the back seat speakers. Most of the time I don't notice it because the front speakers and the front seat speakers speakers dont have this problem.

I had a back seat passenger complain they couldn't hear the radio. Now that I am listening for it, Its like this almost all of the time. There have been a few days, or even car trips, when the white noise goes away and sound is heard in the back seat. I can turn the volume all the way down in the car, and then you can really hear the white noise.

Any suggestions? If I recall correctly, when this is happening, it will even do it when the radio is turned off. It doesn't seem to matter which input I am using, CD, Sirius or AM/FM.

I would say that there is a loose connection between the audio source and the amp that drives the read speakers, and that the amp when no connected (at the time) is picking up noise, but this doesn't seem likely since I can adjust the radio to put sound only in the back seat, and when I do that the sound overcomes the white noise.

Please help. I am out of factory warranty, and I would like to track this down myself.

[svard75]

Do you see dead people too?

um sorry bad joke.

Static coming from the rear speakers even when the audio is completely off? Hmm weird since the amp turns off when the audio system is turned off. Do you have an aftermarket sub connected?

[myellen]

I don't think I am seeing dead people, but maybe I am hearing them.

I just reconfirmed that when I turn the radio off, I can still hear the white noise (static) coming from the rear speakers.

I also made a test, by turning off the car, then turning it back on, without starting it. With the radio on or off I could still hear the static, and since the car wasn't running it was much easier to hear.

Everything is factory. The only thing that I have changed with the audio system is, changing out the XM tuner with a Sirius tuner.

[myellen]

Bump, anyone have any ideas on this issue?

[svard75]

Since you did effectively modify the factory system (XM for Sirrus) I would suggest simply unplugging the sirrius box and checking for static.

[mrb6228]

Is this white noise coming from the speakers in the doors at floor level or from the subwoofer on the rear deck? Is it balanced between both rear speakers or just in one?

I don't have the 14 speaker system in mine so your speaker layout may vary for the rear passengers.

In addition to disconnecting the satellite radio unit, you might also try powering the soundsystem on, turn the volume all the way down, and adjust your audio settings for base, treble, balance, and fade to see if it makes any difference in the noise level.

Malcolm

[bryhogan]

I thought I had a similar problem with my '07. However, what I discovered was that the noise was coming from the fan on my front cooled seats!

[myellen]

"Since you did effectively modify the factory system (XM for Sirrus) I would suggest simply unplugging the sirrius box and checking for static."

I am going to give that a try. Its strange, because its all factory, but you are right it is a change, I made.

[myellen]

I thought I had a similar problem with my '07. However, what I discovered was that the noise was coming from the fan on my front cooled seats!

Its definately not a fan. I have tried it with the ignition on and off, the seats on and off.

[myellen]

Is this white noise coming from the speakers in the doors at floor level or from the subwoofer on the rear deck? Is it balanced between both rear speakers or just in one?

I don't have the 14 speaker system in mine so your speaker layout may vary for the rear passengers.

In addition to disconnecting the satellite radio unit, you might also try powering the soundsystem on, turn the volume all the way down, and adjust your audio settings for base, treble, balance, and fade to see if it makes any difference in the noise level.

Malcolm

It seems to be coming from all the rear speakers.

I did adjust the fade all the way to the rear, and it did seem as if the white noise went away and you can hear the music. But its hard to know for sure if the noise went away or if the audio was just lounder and concentrated.

I have adjusted the volume all the way down, and even with the radio off, and the noise is still there. When I turn the car off, it goes away, so its definately coming from the car. As I said before, the car doesn't need to be running, or the ignition on, as long as the audio system has power, even if its turned off, there is white noise.

I tried turning the NAV volume all the way down, just to see if it was introducing white noise, as a secondary audio source, but it had no effect.

It almost seems as if an amplifier for the rear speakers has a loose ground. This is an like an AC hum, and of course there is no AC in the car, but a ground issue seems likely. I have an extended warrenty, but I am not sure if this is covered. I think so, but I need to check. I plan to take it in and see if its covered and get it checked out.

[fiveliterbeater]

Do you see dead people too?

um sorry bad joke.

nice...thats exactly the movie i was thinking as well when i read the title to this thread.

[antzrus]

Have you tried an exorcism?

[myellen]

I would like to take it to the Mercedes dealership to have an exorcism, but I can't afford that.

[svard75]

So I guess it wasn't the Sirius sat receiver that was the issue? Just try to disconnect and reconnect the amp connectors.

M

[myellen]

I haven't had the chance to try it yet. I on the road now, until April, so it will be awhile before I can try it. Where is the amp cable? How hard is it to get to?

[svard75]

I haven't had the chance to try it yet. I on the road now, until April, so it will be awhile before I can try it. Where is the amp cable? How hard is it to get to?

It's not hard it's just tedious to get at. The amp is under the trunk liner attached to the rear deck. When you're looking in the trunk you'll have to remove the entire top liner to get to either the sirius or amp. The amp is the larger of the two and is on the drivers side. The sirius receiver is on the passenger side.

Whenever you do it let us know if it's gone away.

M