Hi,

I purchased a Fiat 500 By diesel before xmas and have been very happy apart from an intermitant buzzing noise through the speakers. When it happens I can turn the whole audio system off and it is still there. It is almost like a resistance noise you get in home speakers when nothing is playing. I have tried everything by switching mobiles off in the car and bluetooth but once it starts nothing seems to stop it. Also if the audio system is on the volume seems to have a mind of it's own as well.

I have spoken to my local dealer who says when it does it bring it in but as usual everytime I set off when it is bad it stops before I even get there. The dealer has been helpful to apoint but unless it is doing it when i take there says there is nothing he can do which after 2mths now is getting annoying. Even my 6yr old is complaining about it as it can be loud and anoying on a long journey.

Has anybody else had this problem and if so what was it ???

Hi Livingthedreamnow

I would recommend you call Fiat on the number below, where you can log the issue. To my knowledge we have not had anyone on the forum with this problem before.

Kind regards
Fiat Marketing

I have recently noticed this problem as well. I have a 500byDiesel 1.4 petrol (purchased Nov '09) and this evening I turned off the radio - reset the radio - turned off the engine - turned on just the electronics - and the noise coming through the speakers was still there - it is very loud - as soon as I have a free day and I hear this noise again I am taking it in to a dealer.

I had heard it a few times before but thought it was the radio - this evening was the worst as it would not stop and even though I had turned off the engine and reset the radio it came back. I sat parked in my car trying everything I could think of.

It is as described by the original poster - some feedback buzzing rumbling noise.

Annoying as you can't hear the car - and how it is is driving when it happens

M

hi

though i can't give a definitive answer ...

1.radio faulty , not suppressing outside interference

2.radio picking up ecu's chatting ,possibly poor CANbus connections,though would imagine ,more vehicle faults /warnings

3.poor earth connections ..

4.have either of you added/or had fitted any other electrical item ??

5.do you carry any other electronic items in the car  ,that may be causing the fault ...ie a laptop or even your mobile ..remove them and see if the interference stops

6.does it happen at specific places ie near an electric pylon etc

just some ideas for yourselfs,as most dealers do not have auto electricians ,,as mechanics are trained to do electrics ,but they do struggle ..not a criticism as i am a mechanic on trucks and we have 2 auto electricians ..and with certain faults ,it can take me twice as long to do an electrical job than them..

phil

Phil,

Thanks for those suggestions here are my responses:

1. I do not turn the radio on and the interference still comes through the speakers - the best way I can describe it is rolling thunder coming through the bass in ALL speakers!

2. No other electrical problems noticed no warnings lighting up

3. Where are the earth connections on the Fiat 500 - I will check

4. No - I have not added any electrical items

5. No cell phone and laptop are both turned off and do not emit anything - even with them outside the car I still get the interference

6. Nope no specific location I heard the noises all the way from central London to Heathrow airport with variations in volume to very loud to constant rumbling. Round the M25 from Herts into central London too.

Attempting the Fiat service in the next 2 weeks - which I am anticipating will be pointless as either the noise won't be there when I arrive or they won't have a clue how to fix it or what it is. But someone else needs to hear this - it is WILD! 

The earth connections might be the solution - or some insulation on some wires or something - but the weird thing is the engine can be off and the rumbling can still be there when the electrics are turned on - so definitely electrical and not engine related - a relief I guess...

Do you have any other thoughts - where do I find a good car electric mechanic????

M

hi

i don't know all the earth points on the 500

even with the engine off various ecu's are still active

wonder if the earth on the aerial may be poor ,whilst the noise is active unplug the aerial and see if it stops ...

try phoning your dealer ask to speak to the service department ,/ service manager ..and explain the problem and ask if it is ok if you drive in when the noise is there ,just for them to hear it ,as it isn't always there

you could check yellow pages for auto sparks ,or possibly companies that specialise in audio installations..who might actually be a better option ..as they will probably have come across most noises...

late thought ..record the noise on your fone  lol,then they can't deny not hearing it  ..

phil

How do I unplug the aerial?

From the roof - or somewhere else?

Yes - have already warned service when I arrive and the noise is happening - they need to come outside to my car - I'm sure it will be going on eventually - as it seems to be getting more persistent - rolling thunder inside the car continuously.... lurvely! (not!)

Thanks Phil!

M

UPDATE...

I booked my 500 in for service - obviously as I approached the dealership the feedback noises disappeared... drove round for another hour then came back with the noises rumbling through the speakers. Technician and Manager both sat in my car with the engine on and heard the rumblings/feedback and stated they would need the car for at least two days... wiring - radio - something - not an easy solution...

They have had my car for 2 weeks (I don't think they even looked at it for the first week - it didn't move from the spot I parked it in) but this week I hear the problem has been identified as being with the subwoofer - replacement being ordered... wasn't the radio - they tried replacing that...

        ... to be continued...

... watch this space...

                    ...will Fiat Service come thru????

SOLVED !!!

So the sub-woofer was replaced and I've been driving the 500 for 2 weeks now and no more interference coming from the speakers.

Thanks to Dev - the BESTEST Fiat technician !!!