[Fabulist]

Like many of you, I have found that my radio presets tend to disappear after a while, so I stopped resetting them until this problem is addressed, and let us hope, solved, by the next software release.

Today, however, they just came back. All 18 presets I programmed into Sirius and all 6 FM presets were back from oblivion in correct sequence and on the right pages. Since I store my radio presets by topic (Talk, Different Music Genres, News, Etc.) they are not in ascending frequency order, so this is not just an automatic scan of the spectrum but my specific presets coming back on the right pages.

Anyone else experienced this? One possible explanation is that this is a communication problem rather than a storage problem. The memory that stores the presets never loses them, the UI software just loses access to the memory and reverts to defaults until, by chance, the connection is reestablished and the display once again correctly displays the information.

 

[Richard Carnes]

I had the same basic thing happen a few weeks ago. I honestly thought that I was just being a space cadet and had forgotten about resetting them, but now I know it wasn't me. Makes me feel better, I think...

 

[ct-fiskerbuzz]

... One possible explanation is that this is a communication problem rather than a storage problem. The memory that stores the presets never loses them, the UI software just loses access to the memory and reverts to defaults until, by chance, the connection is reestablished and the display once again correctly displays the information.

That's quite likely the reason, and it has the interesting implication that the radio and satellite presets are stored in a module that sits behind one of those CAN busses, while the Command Center itself is on the other side. Which in turn mean that the difference between a head unit that "remembers", say, 6 FM presets and a fancier more expensive one that "remembers" 12 is actually just that the fancier one gives you access to the larger set stored in the common back-end radio.

Some decades ago, you could buy a computer without the extra instructions or registers or whatever that would make it go faster. Then if you paid the five grand or whatever for an upgrade, a tech would come out and ... flip a switch (or change a wire) in your box, enabling the feature. Which you already had. Seems like the computer software in cars has already reached this same point.

 

[Nimisys]

The command center is actually two parts: the touch screen (TPI) and the Central Infotainment Unit (CIU) which includes the antenna connections, speaker connections, etc. the TPI is mostly dumb, its sole job is to pickup a key press and report it's location to the CIU to act upon. the presets are all stored in the CIU. Since all the settings are suppose to be remembered based on the key fob in use, i think what happens is the CIU forgets which key fob it is suppose to be seeing. interestingly, the CIU gets the key fob in use info from the VCM, so a bad bus signal could trigger it to switch between FOB 1 or FOB 2 errantly, or for it not to recongize the FOB signal all together and go back to factory default. the next time it sees a proper ID for the fob on the bus it reverts back tot he settings in memory. Which maybe why i will sometimes see them revert to factory defaults when roadtesting in an area known for a lot of military EMI (some other brand cars keyless entry won;t work in that area for time to time, it's that strong).

 

[Fabulist]

The command center is actually two parts: the touch screen (TPI) and the Central Infotainment Unit (CIU) which includes the antenna connections, speaker connections, etc. the TPI is mostly dumb, its sole job is to pickup a key press and report it's location to the CIU to act upon. the presets are all stored in the CIU. Since all the settings are suppose to be remembered based on the key fob in use, i think what happens is the CIU forgets which key fob it is suppose to be seeing. interestingly, the CIU gets the key fob in use info from the VCM, so a bad bus signal could trigger it to switch between FOB 1 or FOB 2 errantly, or for it not to recongize the FOB signal all together and go back to factory default. the next time it sees a proper ID for the fob on the bus it reverts back tot he settings in memory. Which maybe why i will sometimes see them revert to factory defaults when roadtesting in an area known for a lot of military EMI (some other brand cars keyless entry won;t work in that area for time to time, it's that strong).

FOB mis-recognition is also identified as the culprit in the Easy Entry system not working, right? This is all fascinating, but is there a fix for this, other than cladding the car in tin foil to ward off EMI intrusion?

 

[Nimisys]

I would hazard to say it can be corrected mostly in software for 99% of the time, FCC rules basicly say you can't emit EMI and you have to accept any that is thrown at you, so at least out here some issues may still remain.

 

[Fabulist]

The command center is actually two parts: the touch screen (TPI) and the Central Infotainment Unit (CIU) which includes the antenna connections, speaker connections, etc. the TPI is mostly dumb, its sole job is to pickup a key press and report it's location to the CIU to act upon. the presets are all stored in the CIU. Since all the settings are suppose to be remembered based on the key fob in use, i think what happens is the CIU forgets which key fob it is suppose to be seeing. interestingly, the CIU gets the key fob in use info from the VCM, so a bad bus signal could trigger it to switch between FOB 1 or FOB 2 errantly, or for it not to recongize the FOB signal all together and go back to factory default. the next time it sees a proper ID for the fob on the bus it reverts back tot he settings in memory. Which maybe why i will sometimes see them revert to factory defaults when roadtesting in an area known for a lot of military EMI (some other brand cars keyless entry won;t work in that area for time to time, it's that strong).

When the dealer was trying to diagnose my intermittent problems with Easy Entry/Exit, one question they asked me was whether I was opening the boot before getting into the car. Apparently, sometimes when you open the boot, the correct FOB ID is lost and the car cannot get your seat back into position from the Easy Entry position. This could also be affecting the radio presets, and as it turns out, I do open the car's boot in the morning to put away my briefcase before getting into the car. So that could be causing the vanishing presets.

Sounds like I need to get in the car first and open the trunk from remote release in the car rather than using the remote button on the FOB.

 

[kabalah70]

Ah, Fab, yes, I think this makes sense for my scenarios where it doesn't work too.

 

[shrowell]

Now I understand why there was a sticker on the back of one of my key fobs! The radio/satellite presets are associated with a key fob. I went for a drive at the weekend and noticed that all my presets had 'been deleted' - even went as far as calling Sirius to check that my new subscription for this car was okay and getting reactivation signals sent. Now I realize that I was simply not using the key fob that I'd used when setting up my stations initially.

I have not encountered a vehicle that has this level of customization before. Any other manufacturers do it?

 

[LonePalmBJ]

I have not encountered a vehicle that has this level of customization before. Any other manufacturers do it?

It's getting to be pretty common. Some manufacturers are setting preferences by Key Fob (in the new Dodge Hellcats there are even color-coded keys and only the Red one allows for full engine power, for example) and other manufacturers have different mechanisms to define driver profiles. These profiles can control everything from radio presets to seating and mirror position, to navigation preferences and many other configuration options. Tesla, for example, allows you to create as many named presets as you want and they are stored on the infotainment center. You pick the right preset and the car adapts to you. We also have an BMW i3 and it has a very similar preset capability. BMW even allows you to back up your preferences to USB drive (via an XML file) to have an offline backup in case you lose your settings, or potentially to transfer to another BMW.

Brent

 

[JCMorrill]

Just set the stations with both fobs ... and don't marry somebody with significantly different tastes in music (or at least don't let them drive your car!!!)!

 

[Fabulist]

Just set the stations with both fobs ... and don't marry somebody with significantly different tastes in music (or at least don't let them drive your car!!!)!

There are multiple pages of presets, so unless you have multiple wives, in which case you are most likely living in a country where the wives can't drive anyway, you and your spouse can have your own page of presets and live in musical peace and harmony forever.

 

[Stefan]

...so unless you have multiple wives, in which case you are most likely living in a country where the wives can't drive anyway...

Ouch...

 

[EVer1]

200026[/I]]There are multiple pages of presets, so unless you have multiple wives, in which case you are most likely living in a country where the wives can't drive anyway, you and your spouse can have your own page of presets and live in musical peace and harmony forever.

That is funny! Thanks for a real lol

 

[Ricardo]

My presets are gone and won't stay so I have to enter them every time I drive the car. I avoid driving it for this reason. Any idea what made them come back?

 

[FiskerPhilly]

Sometimes reflash in the CIU works. If not it will need hardware ( new CIU)

 

[Ricardo]

Would like to try a flash first. How do I flash it?

 

[JCMorrill]

Usually works out best with a trench coat and warm weather!

 

[Nin ja]

Usually works out best with a trench coat and warm weather!

cute - it brought a smile

 

[Ricardo]

Just tried the trench coat but it's only 50 degrees here. Trying not to wait for warmer temperatures. I was on the tech site and could not find the flash download. Does anyone have the download on a usb. Also found I am on 510. Should I be on 628?