Overheating XM module
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 215
Likes: 55
From: Virginia
Overheating XM module
I basically live on XM. I didn't know what was causing this last year and it got cold so the problem went away.
Well this year it's gotten over 80 again and when I'm in stop and go type traffic like stop signs and red lights combined with a metric buttload of traffic where you spend a lot of time with a foot on the ground and everything gets hot.
So, it's now happening again. When the hot day with not much movement happen, the XM starts getting scratchy and after a while cuts out entirely. Switch to FM (AM, WB, whatever) and it's great reception again. Get moving for a while and poof, the XM comes back. Basically everything points towards heat.
Am I alone with this? Bad module? I can work around it but it's a pain in the tucas and I'm going to Texas in June so may very well get into this again in a spot or in spots where FM is iffy.
Thanks
DanH
Well this year it's gotten over 80 again and when I'm in stop and go type traffic like stop signs and red lights combined with a metric buttload of traffic where you spend a lot of time with a foot on the ground and everything gets hot.
So, it's now happening again. When the hot day with not much movement happen, the XM starts getting scratchy and after a while cuts out entirely. Switch to FM (AM, WB, whatever) and it's great reception again. Get moving for a while and poof, the XM comes back. Basically everything points towards heat.
Am I alone with this? Bad module? I can work around it but it's a pain in the tucas and I'm going to Texas in June so may very well get into this again in a spot or in spots where FM is iffy.
Thanks
DanH
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 982
From: Trinity NC
Interesting, I didn’t think about the possibility of overheating but I’ve had the same issue. Riding about a week ago 90+ degrees and actually not much stop and go but enjoying the tunes at a high volume and riding backroads 40-50mph. It started to sound like I was loosing reception, reminded me of old AM stations. It continued to worsen for a minute or so and I switched stations a couple of times then nothing. I switched to FM and sound was nice and clear. After a short stop I checked and the XM was working as normal. I think this is the 3rd time it has happened but I haven’t had a chance to speak with the dealer about it. They are closed today so I’ll give them a call tomorrow.
Interested in hearing more information.
Interested in hearing more information.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 982
From: Trinity NC
I just spoke with the service manager at my local dealer. They have not had any thing brought to their attention before I called them today. He is going to check for service bulletin updates. I have to stop by there Friday or Saturday so I will see if he found an update.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 832
Likes: 125
From: Parris Island
Could it be? The xm antenna for bikes is the same used in cars. You will definitely notice the 10 ft. antenna cable that is bundled up and tucked wherever it will fit in the fairing. Could it be that all that excess cable is the culprit to antenna overheating and signal loss? If I were mechanically inclined, I would shorten the cable immensely to around 6 inches and give that a try. Would Sirius make such a length?
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,645
Likes: 22,576
From: North Carolina
Check all your connections and relocate the antenna outside the fairing. Makes a tremendous improvement.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 215
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From: Virginia
I did that about 10 minutes after I brought the thing home the first day. Still overheats.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 982
From: Trinity NC
I stopped by my local dealer on Saturday and the offered to order a new module under warranty. Then they looked at my system and said it was several updates behind. They ran the update and I road for about 125 miles and could not get it to shut down. I plan on a longer ride this coming weekend so I will test it again. I have inquired at several dealers and they all say they have not heard anything about it. If it does it this weekend I will have them order the new module.
I’m planning to relocate the antenna this week and will check the wiring. I have no reason to think it’s the wiring because of how it slowly goes from a great sound to no sound. Friday when it happened I turned the volume all of the way down and road for about 30 minutes and it came back on. I really think it’s overheating, but we’ll see.
I’m planning to relocate the antenna this week and will check the wiring. I have no reason to think it’s the wiring because of how it slowly goes from a great sound to no sound. Friday when it happened I turned the volume all of the way down and road for about 30 minutes and it came back on. I really think it’s overheating, but we’ll see.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 589
Likes: 124
From: Ottawa
Relocating the XM ''antenna puck" is definitely the way to go. I have a 2017 CVO SG and when ever I was riding East I had crappy reception. I removed my outer fairing (very easy to do), cut a couple of zip ties, and routed the antenna puck up thru my vent in my fairing and double sided taped it on my dash. I now enjoy three bars of reception where ever I go.