check engine light due to sat radio?

[byrnes93]

Hello,
I checked forums already to see if this issue had been posted already and did not find it so I apologize in advance if this issue has already been addressed - and then tell me where to look, please.
Any who, I'm on week two with my 2009 four-two, passion coupe, I enjoy Sirius satelite radio and hasve discovered that utilizing the power supply for my satelite unit sets off the check engine light (according to the dealer). Has this occured to anyone else? And is there anything I can do about it?
thanks in advance...

[fastturb]

smart diagnostics?

enjoy

[John_H]

What may have already occurred is crackling on the stock radio connection when the satellite radio receiver is plugged in.

If your satellite radio is feeding noise back into the smart's electronics, a good filter across the power (and/or ground) to the satellite radio receiver could alleviate the problem. The ferrites like you see on many monitors and some other electronics - tubular items the cables are passed through - are the items typically used to ward off high-frequency interference.

Electromagnetic compatability is not a simple issue but the support forum for the radio manufacturer might provide better help if it's that radio's power configuration that's causing the problems.

[jimbo2135]

yes, search for the "smart diagnostics?" thread. There are numerous references to accessories plugged in to the cig outlet causing this.

[Mud Pie]

I have an Audiovox XpressRC XM radio and a TomTom 740 GO LIVE GPS hooked up to my 12Vdc outlet using a splitter, with both running all the time.

I have never experienced any errors or check engine lights.

Wonder what is different in my setup ?

[mvaldes]

From what's been said, it seems like anything with a backup battery has the potential for triggering a CEL when plugged into the accessory power outlet.

[Mud Pie]

Originally Posted by mvaldes

From what's been said, it seems like anything with a backup battery has the potential for triggering a CEL when plugged into the accessory power outlet.

My GPS also runs on an internal battery and charges when plugged in...

[mvaldes]

My GPS and phone have both been plugged into my acc outlet off and on for the last 18 months without a problem. For whatever reason, it doesn't seem to be a problem with all cars and/or everything plugged in that has a battery backup. That just seemed to be the common denominator of what was discussed. IIRC, one dealer even took back a car because of it, only to find that the same problem occurred in the new car and was traced to something plugged into the acc. outlet.

FYI, from the Smart Diaganostics thread referred to above, rather that just from my memory:

smartSEATTLE

Location: Seattle



Quote:
Originally Posted by Wdhitch
I wondered if you had your hands in this.... Why didn't they just replace the computer? Wouldn't that have solved the problem? I know it's probably not that easy but figured I'd ask...

Yes this is correct. We are seeing the same thing here in Seattle area. Any device that has some sort of a battery back up in it that is left pluged in can cause this. I say can as it does not mean it will. Right now smart is aware of the issue and they are working on a fix.

From talking with DTAC the problem is due to the shut down process and the order that the control modules turn off.

So far have seen GPS, PDA style phones (some not all), and a satellite radio receiver set the codes in mention.

[Napoleon12]

Originally Posted by John_H

What may have already occurred is crackling on the stock radio connection when the satellite radio receiver is plugged in.

If your satellite radio is feeding noise back into the smart's electronics, a good filter across the power (and/or ground) to the satellite radio receiver could alleviate the problem. The ferrites like you see on many monitors and some other electronics - tubular items the cables are passed through - are the items typically used to ward off high-frequency interference.

Electromagnetic compatability is not a simple issue but the support forum for the radio manufacturer might provide better help if it's that radio's power configuration that's causing the problems.

hahaha. is this a quote from a dealer. this is too funny.

[John_H]

I am no dealer.

I'm an electrical engineer who occasionally has to deal with electromagnetic compatibility issues and I understand how one piece of equipment can phlegm up another.

Why would anyone possibly believe this is a quote from the dealer?

The only times I've heard of electronics issues like this is 1) when using a ham radio (massive power) 2) interference between two aftermarket devices (LED switching power supply and Area451 control switch), and 3) a few instances of Satellite radios. As receivers, the satellite radios should present no interference to other devices. There are a few people that have had problems suggesting to this engineer that there's more to the situation than random luck.

I love being laughed at, don't you?

There's something wrong.
The equipment shouldn't interfere.
There are standard ways to deal with the interference.
The receiver manufacturer appears not to have bothered.

Make any sense or am I still adding an ample amount of humor to your day?