Wavy volume at hjigh level

[Skizzums]

Hello guys\gals,

I hate coming to a new forum just to ask for advice, especially when I don't have useful knowledge about the particular subject, but my google skills must be off because I cannot find anything solid pertaining to my problem. Thanks for checking it out and any advice would be helpful.

My wife has a 2012 Ford Fiesta, factory stereo, Bluetooth with screen etc. We both have been noticing recently that the volume, at higher levels (about 20+ on a scale of 30), fades in and out.....pretty dramatically, seems more after a long amount of time. My first thought, since I don't drive it often, is this stereo ***** and just doesn't have the wattage. So I told my wife we would maple a trip this weekend for a 4 channel and some speakers. Now I'm thinking I may have it all wrong and possibility the head unit itself is the culprit. Any other info I find just repeats the same answer of "your car is equipped with sound control". I turned off the speed sound control and of makes no difference, just will not stay loud for more then half a minute or so. This car has a retarded dashboard, with the screen separate from the unit, and replacing with an aftermarket unit just isn't a feasible solution at the moment. I have put in many stereo systems in the past, but things have changed in the ten years, and I wouldn't know where to start on this thing.

That's it, do you think an extra amp will help rectify, or will the volume still be inconsistent if the problem is in the head? There isn't a traditional potentiometer, its the type that spins, but I will attempt to clean. Anything else simple I could look for? Is this a normal problem as a unit ages?

Thanks very much for any info. Happy holidays

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[CSCStang]

Does this happen with all sources? I.e. cd, radio, aux, Bluetooth? If so, then yes it is the head unit. Adding an amp won't alleviate the problem. Go to Crutchfield.com and add in all the vehicle info to see if there's an aftermarket unit that's a compatible replacement. If there isn't you will need to replace the oem unit via a dealership. You could also try ebay or Craigslist to see if there's one for sale.

 

[Skizzums]

At this time I only notice this with iPhone sync, only because our radio stations **** so if not mp3 I listen to boring talk radio, pundits don't sound better super loud. I will put in a CD and radio and see if problem still exists. Thank you for responding. I'll return and let you know

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Hope it's not your factory head unit. I'm guessing it'll be over a grand from a dealership.

 

[los33 10+ year member]

At this time I only notice this with iPhone sync, only because our radio stations **** so if not mp3 I listen to boring talk radio, pundits don't sound better super loud. I will put in a CD and radio and see if problem still exists. Thank you for responding. I'll return and let you know

Its usually caused by horrible stock wiring. When the camshaft is working hard it causes power surges and can cause many v6 cars to shut off.

Ford is one of the worst when it comes to electrical because i know the fiesta is a 4 cylinder.

Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

 

[Skizzums]

Okay. I drove for about 30 minutes blasting some god awful early 90's rock at full blast and the issue did not appear, FM radio that is. I have never really kept track of the time before it would happen, but as of now, I can say that problem exists only when using the iPhone. This is regardless of in line sync or Bluetooth. Is this just the nature of the beast when dealing with that particular format? Today I listen to a variety of types of music, very instrumentally busy to very vocal, and although the speakers are crappy it did seem to keep a consistently loud volume while using just am\fm. So my head is okay, correct?

If this is a common issue when dealing with digital formats, is there an aftermarket amp or equalizer that can give us loud music while automatically keeping volumes level? Or is this possibly another issue altogether still?

 

[Skizzums]

Also, just a quick search brought up several kits like this : METRA 99-5825S - Radio Installation kits - 2011 Ford Fiesta Single DIN dash kit - Metra - 99-5825S - Rakuten.com

Not being spe ific to the example shown, but I assume a kit similar to the link would allow for a simple installation of any normal aftermarket unit I desired. Would the upper screen still keep the sync options to our cell phones etc? Or would we likely lose functionality of those systems? Maybe not a question thats easily answered, but worth a shot.

But ideally I would rather not deal with it and find an alternative that I can wire into current system. I know in the past there was always a way to workaround a factory unit that didn't supply a remote for external components, but not sure if its still that easy.

I will do some further testing on the current stereo this weekend, but if it does turn out only to be an issue with digital formats, what do you guys recommend? I am kind of wanting better sound anyway, so I would love it if the solution could be integrated into a new amp\speaker setup, while of course keeping the unit intact if its not broken.

Thanks again for the replies, I really appreciate it