Radio question for the experts

[exwinger]

Spyder is a 2011RTSM.

I have been having a problem with my radio since day 1 , year old this month. Problem is that often the radio will go full blast when spyder is started , sometimes the mute button will work and other times I have to hit the RAISE button to get it to mute.Took many tries to finally get it to act up at the dealership , they said it couldn't do that but they found it does. Have it in the shop now for other service and radio problem. Just talked to the tech and was told that according to BRP the problem is caused by me not using BRP headset and cords. Headsets and cords are J&M products and I had them checked by Sierra Electronis and they said no problems and a cord is a cord. BRP is saying different cords work different ways ? Problem started ( at least when noticed by me ) after my CB was installed .Don't know how this would affect anything with the regular radio but don't know if the cluster switch is involved or not.To me it sounds like someone is skirting the problem and not sure who it is.My opinion it's in the cluster switch but they disagree.Have trouble with the passenger volume also and unless I set the voice activation really high the mic activates all the time. Concensus seems to be that since I know how to mute it's a problem I have to live with.Not in my book.....lotta money , it better work properly.


I'm almost to the point of calling their bluff and telling them I'll buy their headsets and helmet and if that doesn't solve the problem they pay for my helmets and cords and replace the total radio system.Can't see them agreeing to that though. I have played with the controls for the passenger and voice activation til I'm blue in the face and know they're pretty touchy but do know how they should work.


Any thoughts or ideas on what the problem could be and how to solve it other than going to Cowtown ??

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Do you know anyone who has the BRP cord and headset that would let you try it on your Spyder? Or do they have one at your dealer?

 

[SpyderFun]

Is your J&M cord plugged directly into the Spyder or are you using the BRP adapter and plugging into that?
Do you have a part number for the J&M cord?
Has J&M heard of other Spyder owners with similar problems?

Cords are not always "cords". How a cord is pinned is a whole other beast! It is true that a wire connects point A to point B but it can be pinned to go from point A to point M. I think this is what your dealer is saying and it is in-fact a possibility. SpyderAnn01 is on the right path. IF the problem still exists with a BRP cord, then the issue likely lies within the bike. IF NOT, it likely lies within the J&M cord and how it is pinned to the Spyder plug.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: Once you plug in something that doesn't have a "Burp" logo on it; you've given them lots of ammo to use against you. Tell them to plug in some BRP stuff to see if it solves the problem.
Good Luck, and let us know what happens! :thumbup:

 

[SpydherLuv]

I have the same issue with my radio. When I mute the radio and turn the RT off, upon restart, the radio volume is raised (I think at the same spot it was when I muted), then I hit the volume up button and the radio mutes...hit it again and it goes back to the volume it was. So now, before I mute, I lower the volume. I also have the J&M speakers and cord and keep forgetting to mention it to my dealer. I have seen other threads here where others have the same issue, but it's been awhile so you'll need to do a search.
Please let us know if you get any traction on this from your dealer, I'm curious to know what the root cause is.

If anyone out there has the BRP headset and cord, can you chime in and let us know if you experience this too?

By the way, how is one supposed to know that there is a BRP headset/cord versus J&M? When I had my CB/Comm system installed, my dealer didn't offer me a choice - and I didn't know I had one -, so I assumed what I was getting was BRP 'approved'. I will have a chat with my dealer if this turns out to be a J&M cord issue.

 

[harrypottar]

I have the BRP head set and passenger push to talk controls on a 2012 RT limited. I do not have this issue.

Press down to mute, stays muted when the bike is turned off and back on again. Up always raises the volume and down always lowers.

Sorry no help. Anyone with a J&M head set, this issue and at SITA are welcome to try my head set on their bike and their J&M set on my bike.

harry

 

[harrypottar]

By the way, how is one supposed to know that there is a BRP headset/cord versus J&M? When I had my CB/Comm system installed, my dealer didn't offer me a choice - and I didn't know I had one -, so I assumed what I was getting was BRP 'approved'. I will have a chat with my dealer if this turns out to be a J&M cord issue.

Did you dealer not give you all the boxes that the head sets came in?. I purchased mine at the same time as the spyder I got the boxes and instructions even though they where fitted to our helmets.

I had a J&M set on my goldwing I think the headset sounds better from BRP. But I did like the way that the Goldwing had a lower cord and the cord from the helmet was relatively small.

The BRP cord is very long and stuck to the helmet, the other issue is that if you plug directly into the elbow connector on the spyder the cord leaves a small mark on the glove box.

I now feed the lead over the gps and attach to the elbow connector from behind the gps.

harry

 

[SpydherLuv]

Did you dealer not give you all the boxes that the head sets came in?. I purchased mine at the same time as the spyder I got the boxes and instructions even though they where fitted to our helmets.

I had a J&M set on my goldwing I think the headset sounds better from BRP. But I did like the way that the Goldwing had a lower cord and the cord from the helmet was relatively small.

The BRP cord is very long and stuck to the helmet, the other issue is that if you plug directly into the elbow connector on the spyder the cord leaves a small mark on the glove box.

I now feed the lead over the gps and attach to the elbow connector from behind the gps.

harry

The headset that the parts guy was trying to install in my helmet was too big and he said he would have to send the helmet to J&M to have them cut holes and install the headset, so I never considered that I may not have a factory headset and cord. However, when I picked up my helmet, all of the cords came out of J&M packaging and I was never given the BRP parts. It's been almost a year now and I had no idea BRP had their own setup until I read this thread. :gaah:

 

[Firefly]

Spyder is a 2011RTSM.

I have been having a problem with my radio since day 1 , year old this month. Problem is that often the radio will go full blast when spyder is started , sometimes the mute button will work and other times I have to hit the RAISE button to get it to mute.Took many tries to finally get it to act up at the dealership , they said it couldn't do that but they found it does. Have it in the shop now for other service and radio problem. Just talked to the tech and was told that according to BRP the problem is caused by me not using BRP headset and cords. Headsets and cords are J&M products and I had them checked by Sierra Electronis and they said no problems and a cord is a cord. BRP is saying different cords work different ways ? Problem started ( at least when noticed by me ) after my CB was installed .Don't know how this would affect anything with the regular radio but don't know if the cluster switch is involved or not.To me it sounds like someone is skirting the problem and not sure who it is.My opinion it's in the cluster switch but they disagree.Have trouble with the passenger volume also and unless I set the voice activation really high the mic activates all the time. Concensus seems to be that since I know how to mute it's a problem I have to live with.Not in my book.....lotta money , it better work properly.


I'm almost to the point of calling their bluff and telling them I'll buy their headsets and helmet and if that doesn't solve the problem they pay for my helmets and cords and replace the total radio system.Can't see them agreeing to that though. I have played with the controls for the passenger and voice activation til I'm blue in the face and know they're pretty touchy but do know how they should work.


Any thoughts or ideas on what the problem could be and how to solve it other than going to Cowtown ??

Unplug everything and see if the problem persists when just using the speakers. Plug items back in one at a time and see what happens.

If the problem doesn't exist without the J&M cords and headsets plugged in... then you know it's NOT the controls on the Spyder.

My guess is BRP uses a different wiring setup to handle the controls than does J&M and somethings getting crossed and causing your problems.

Obviously trying some BRP cords would be a good option too.....

 

[spacetrucker]

If you need the cord and helmet I have a blue brp that I can seed to you to try?? Size large ... Just pm me in you want it ?.... Ok

 

[exwinger]

BRP vs J&M

Cords are plugged right into the BRP connector. Making the marks on the dash......easy cure for this .I took a short piece of #12 electrical wire ( black ) and wrapped it around the connector and coiled it up the cord about 3 inches. Works like a charm and almost invisible.

Dealer does not have cords in stock.....what I was told awhile back.Plus the fact it doesn't happen every time makes it hard to use another riders headset..

Cord is correct one according to Sierra , just got off phone with them. Said it is pinned correctly and pinned to where it's supposed to be pinned . Sierra said ...if you can't solve the problem blame it on someone else.

 

[spacetrucker]

I also have Jim and brp at the same time and they work great. Ck cb wire set to make shire it's pluged in and to the main radio wire to you have 4 plugs to hook all them up ck and reck them but like I said I use them both at the same time works great.. Ck all plugs

 

[exwinger]

J&M vs BRP

almost a year now and I had no idea BRP had their own setup until I read this thread. :gaah:If you paid for BRP and got J&M....you got overcharged a bunch !

 

[spacetrucker]

Well if need let me know can just send you the head set only if you need them. I only use the 1cord and bout to hook up to front try that see what it dose just the main cord from head set to dash only no 2 cord needed

 

[NancysToy]

There are several different issues/questions raised by this thread. I have owned two RTs, and both mine worked the same. I do not have the BRP comm system, so some of these things are definitely not related to that or to using the wrong headsets. In my experience:

1. Sound system comes on full blast, then quiets to setting. Happened every time with both of mine. I have this one piped through my Starcom1 comm system in a way the Spyder can't "see" it. The effect is far more noticeable in my helmet speakers, but does happen on the outer speakers, too...even without the comms attached or activated. I think this is "normal" due to the digital nature of the system. My solution is to start the Spyder first, then put on my jacket and helmet.

2. Muted sound system is loud upon restart. This did not happen with either of my Spyders, nor any of the demos I rode. Once muted, it stays muted, and if turned off while muted, you must increase the volume incrementally, it does not return to the previous setting when you hit the "raise" button if the Spyder was turned off while muted.

3. Need to hit "raise" button to mute. This is not normal. You mute by holding down the "lower" button for a second or two. The instructions specify this procedure only. If it happens with the comm ststem turned off or with the headsets unplugged, it can't be due to those. Systems that work otherwise probably have some control pod, CANBus communications, or programming issues.

Just my experience with my two RTs and a few demos I rode. From the sound of things, your results may vary.

 

[spacetrucker]

My j,m works a lot better and sound is way better then burps junk head sets

 

[spacetrucker]

Thks scott for the help on my trl towing all is fine now. Put down to 3 and loaded to frt more and tire pis to 37 and now tacks great. Thk. Scott

 

[exwinger]

There are several different issues/questions raised by this thread. I have owned two RTs, and both mine worked the same. I do not have the BRP comm system, so some of these things are definitely not related to that or to using the wrong headsets. In my experience:

1. Sound system comes on full blast, then quiets to setting. Happened every time with both of mine. I have this one piped through my Starcom1 comm system in a way the Spyder can't "see" it. The effect is far more noticeable in my helmet speakers, but does happen on the outer speakers, too...even without the comms attached or activated. I think this is "normal" due to the digital nature of the system. My solution is to start the Spyder first, then put on my jacket and helmet. When it operates correctly ( ? ) like the way I think it should , the radio comes on at whatever volume I had it set at. Mine does not lower the volume ( when not working ) after starting and waiting , it stayed at full blast one time while I rode to the dealers ( 31 miles ) and then the tech hit mute and it worked. Yes mine does this on external speakers too with headsets disconnected.

2. Muted sound system is loud upon restart. This did not happen with either of my Spyders, nor any of the demos I rode. Once muted, it stays muted, and if turned off while muted, you must increase the volume incrementally, it does not return to the previous setting when you hit the "raise" button if the Spyder was turned off while muted. Yep , when mine works this is the way it works.

3. Need to hit "raise" button to mute. This is not normal. You mute by holding down the "lower" button for a second or two. The instructions specify this procedure only. If it happens with the comm ststem turned off or with the headsets unplugged, it can't be due to those. Systems that work otherwise probably have some control pod, CANBus communications, or programming issues.My thoughts exactly .

Just my experience with my two RTs and a few demos I rode. From the sound of things, your results may vary.

 

[stillriding]

My 2010 RTS took up residence for five-and-a-half weeks last summer because of a radio and CB problem and someone preached from the BRP bible that the likely cause was my use of a J & M headset. They went to their accessories department, borrowed a BRP headset, plugged it into my Spyder and, guess what? The BRP headset didn't work either. Surprise!

 

[DR Buck]

Where are you guys plugging in headsets? :hun: On my 2012 Limited, I haven't noticed any headset jacks other than the ipod input in the trunk.