Delay in radio tuning with RDS enabled?
 

My late 2004 build '04 4.4 /NAV/DSP has a weird quirk -- when I have the RDS system "enabled", it seems to take several seconds for the radio to start playing when I change stations -- has anyone else experienced this? It's almost like no sound will occur until the full text comes across the nav screen. Thx in advance.

What area do you live in? Does it occur up and down the dial? Some radio stations are converting to digital broadcasts and you may be picking up some of the "growing pains" of the upgrade.

JV

I live in the SF Bay area. I don't think it is a local digital radio thing, as it certainly doesn't happen on my GM vehicle when the RDS is on. It's very annoying in that the radio won't play for approx 5-7 seconds, which doesn't sound like alot until you start channel surfing....

Very odd, because I don't experience any sort of delay with my radio, regardless of whether the RDS is enabled or disabled (it's always enabled, though. I don't see a reason to disable it)

my 03 e39m5 did the same thing... was very annoyed so i disabled rds on it.... never found a fix for it as i got rid of the m5

Happens on a Tampa station 93.3 with RDS. I just turn it off.

Maybe something is screwing with the delivery of the RDS info, therefore the 'stutter' when you're scanning the dial. I can tell you the boring tale of how RDS works from inside a radio station- but you'll never get the following 30 seconds back...

JV

We use an RDS transmitter and slave it to whatever digital audio delivery system we're using to get the tunes and other programming on the air. These days, most radio stations, save the really small, independently owned stations, keep all of their commercials & music on a hard drive. When someone records the file onto the hard drive, they label it with title and artist for songs, and when it's played on the air, the RDS transmitter sends the info to the antenna pumping out the station's signal. You get it moments later on your RDS ready receiver. ZZZZZZZ...

i have the same problem here in MD w/ DC 101 (101.1)

I have an 02 4.6is, with nav/dsp, and also in the SF bay area. Same issue, although it only happens with certain stations, not all. Very annoying, as a station surfer. Did not realize that it was associated with RDS.

I just purchased the vehicle, CPO, and the radio unit has already been replaced. Funny thing is, after replacement, the "ST" light no longer appears on the screen for stereo radio reception, and the "PTY" option is no longer available in the info screen.

I actually have a scheduled appointment with the dealer tomorrow to review exactly this issue. I'll post if it's been resolved.

I had RDS on my Audi, but I never experienced any delay with the same stations.

RDS etc.
 

elm3c -- thanks and let me know how it goes. Our symptoms are identical -- some stations seem worse than others. I alternate service between SFBMW and Sonnen (Marin) and will also have this checked next time I have the car in.