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Section 18 (Audio System): Troubleshooting: Sound: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2019 Kia Niro EV. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Features/Misdiagnose cases
    Inspection Description
    (1) System features  
    1. Ignition ON (H/U → B+, ACC Power on), H/U Power ON → Sound for Radio, Media, Navigation, Voice Guidance.
    2. External amp is attached at the trunk. External amp communicates with H/U via CAN (Control Area Network)

      (* External amp location may vary)
    (2) Misdiagnose cases
    1. Mute or irregular sound might occur if customer have changed sound settings (position, tone, bass, middle, treble)

      (This is normal, yet misdiagnosed)

    2. Poor sound quality if low-quality soundtrack is played

      (Example: Application like I-MEPS will provide poor sound quality. Customers using BT stream to play I-MEPS claims H/U replacement for low sound quality)
  2. Sound output - Common
    Inspection Description
    (1) Vehicle modification
    1. Check vehicle modification (Front Panel, Black box, Mic, Taxi meter, etc.)
    (2) Duplicate issue
    1. Check sound/noise output
    2. Check H/U settings
    (3) Check H/U/Amp/Cable
    1. Check defect of 1) H/U, 2) amp, 3) connector defect in order (Ext. amp spec)
    2. Check defect of 1) H/U, 2) connector (For Internal amp)
    (4) Defect caused by Ext. parts N/A
    (5) Check part defect
    1. Check defect by replacing H/U
  3. Sound Output_ Noise (H/U_Ext. Amp)
    Inspection Procedure Description
    (1) Duplicate issue
    1. Check H/U Setting

      (Internal/External amp)
    1. Check H/U Setting (Internal/External amp)
    G13203857Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    1. Setting → Sound - Check position, tone settings
    2. Set position, tone to 'center'.

      → User may have changed settings to mute speakers

    3. Reset setting by pressing center button, then check sound
  1. 3. Sound Output_Noise (External AMP_Cable)
    Inspection Procedure Description
    (2) Inspect H/U/AMP/Cable
    1. AMP

      (External AMP)
    1. Check AMP (External amp)
    G13203858Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    1. Review defect
      1. Check amp battery and ACC voltage (9V - 16V) → Vehicle issue if unable to read voltage
      2. Check audio output → Amp issue if no audio output - Check speaker impedance → If not normal, check wire/cable, speaker (disconnect the cable and test)
    (2) Inspect H/U/AMP/Cable
    2. Cable
    (External amp)
    1. Check cable (External amp)
    G13203859G13203860Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    1. AMP ↔ H/U Line inspection
      1. MMCAN +/-: Check open/short using multi-meter
      2. SPDIF +/-: Check open/short using multi-meter
      3. NAVI +/-: Check open/short using multi-meter

        →Issue occurs (=Open) -> Cable wiring issue

    G13203859G13203860Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    (2) Check cable connection
    3. Cable connection
    (Internal/External amp)
    G13203861G13203862G13203863Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    G13203861G13203862G13203863Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    G13203861G13203862G13203863Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    1. Check cable connection to H/U, AMP and mid connector

      * Check amp connector (For external amp)

      * Check if mid connector is present and find location at the red mark

      * Check H/U connector

      1. Check connection status of Part ↔ Connector
        1. Check noise by pulling cable a little
        2. Check for incorrect cable mounting

          →If issue continues, re-connect the cable and re-test
    (2) Check H/U/AMP/Cable
    4. Check for cable defect
    (Internal/External amp)
    1. Check for cable defect (Internal/external amp)
    G13203864G13203865Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    G13203864G13203865Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    1. Review cable and connector defect
      1. Check inside terminal status
    2. Connector pin connection status
      1. Replace terminal if defect
  2. 4. Sound Output_Noise (H/U_Internal amp spec)
    Inspection Procedure Description
    (1) Check problem
    1. Check H/U settings

      (Internal/External amp)
    1. Check H/U settings (Internal/External amp)
    G13203866Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    1. Go to setting -> Sound, check settings for Position, tone
    2. Position, tone center must be set in center.

      → No sound might occur if user changed sound setting ***

    3. Press Center button to reset settings, and check sound
    4. If issue still occurs after above test
      1. Inspect in order: H/U rear connector → Cable connection → Cable defect
    (2) Check H/U/amp/Cable
    1. Check H/U rear connector (Internal amp)
    1. Check H/U defect (Internal amp)
    G13203867Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    1. H/U defect review: After disconnecting H/U, increase volume and check speaker output using multi-meter
      1. If voltage increases while increasing volume → Not H/U issue → Check cable and connector
        • A1: RL (Rear Left), A2: FL (Front Left), A3: FR (Front Right), A4: RR (Rear Right)
        • Refer to pin location - RL/FL/FR/RR pin location varies
    (2) Check cable connection
    2. Cable connection
    (Internal/External amp)
    1. H/U connection status
    G13203868Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

    * Check H/U connector
    1. Check connection for Part ↔ Connector
      1. Duplicate issue by pulling cable
      2. Check misconnection

        →If issue duplicates, re-connect and check again
    (2) Check H/U/Amp/Cable
    3. Cable defect
    (Internal/External amp)
    1. Check cable defect (Internal/external amp)
    G13203869G13203870Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    G13203869G13203870Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    1. Review cable and connector defect
      1. Check inside terminal status
    2. Pin connection
      1. Replace terminal if defect
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