Interior noise & voice command issue

LarsZ52 · 02-21-2018, 07:33 AM

Hi, I'm new to the forum, first entry.

I have a 17 2SS Fifty Anniversary model with 8,000 miles.

Great car but the problem I'm having is voice command does not understand me above 30mph. This causes problems with phone conversations as well. Acts like a wind noise problem. I'm an engineer and have access to a decibel meter. The reading is 10db higher than another Camaro I drove, close to 100db (over time can cause hearing loss).

Has anyone had this same issue?

I've read other blogs that stated they had to re-seal the windshield or adjust windows to fit better.

I'm getting no help from the dealer or GM (won't even call me back).

Blazin383 · 02-21-2018, 08:32 AM

I have a 16 2SS and a 17 1LT. Voice texting and phone conversations at highway speeds has never been a problem in the 2SS, and worked fine in the 1LT too...for the first couple months. Then, for some Inexplainable reason, the 1LT has the problem you describe. The voice recognition is unusable for trying to speak texts, and no one is able to hear me when trying to have a handsfree phone conversation above in town speeds. I’d swear that something changed but don’t know what. As I said earlier, the 2SS doesn’t seem to have the same problem! I’m taking the 1LT to the dealer this weekend to get a door rattle fixed and I plan on asking them about the issue!

DangerZL1 · 02-21-2018, 12:52 PM

I read a magazine noise level comparison on various cars, and the Camaro was fairly quiet compared other cars like the Corvette. 100 db is almost unbelievable, unless there's a problem. It should be in the mid-low 70 db range. Anything over 80 db for extended periods is really too loud and can cause hearing loss.

NYJets12 · 02-21-2018, 01:06 PM

Maybe a gm thing not a camaro thing, I had a 2007 Pontiac gran prix and had to close the windows to use onstar on a phone call because it couldn't understand the phone number I gave it with the windows open and the sound of the wind.

ctrlz · 02-21-2018, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangerZL1

100 db is almost unbelievable, unless there's a problem. It should be in the mid-low 70 db range.

Here is a thread with some measurements I made with a cell phone.
http://www.camaro6.com/forums/showth...88#post9985088
From what I read, the app on my phone is pretty accurate. SPL measurements are relative measurements, not absolute. 0 dB is defined as the threshold of human hearing. It does not mean there is zero noise, just that we can't hear it. Any good meter needs to be calibrated to a standard. The app gave me reasonable values for various noise levels. That was good enough for my purposes since I was doing an A vs. B comparison.
I agree with DangerZL1 that 100 dB sounds way off.

camaro5 · 02-21-2018, 02:09 PM

It's the outside mirror making a whistling noise at speed.

The wire harness inside the mirror housing catches air and makes it whistle, which overwhelms the mic.

They're NEVER going to fix this.

Put some tape over the wire harness in the mirror housing to prevent air flow around wire harness.

They just don't sweat the details.
h

DangerZL1 · 02-21-2018, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaro5

It's the outside mirror making a whistling noise at speed.

The wire harness inside the mirror housing catches air and makes it whistle, which overwhelms the mic.

They're NEVER going to fix this.

Put some tape over the wire harness in the mirror housing to prevent air flow around wire harness.

They just don't sweat the details.
h

I have a feeling you're going to get requests for some pics, if you have them. Sounds like a simple fix.

WhyUMad1LE · 02-21-2018, 03:18 PM

100 DB? Is this a convertible?

LarsZ52 · 02-21-2018, 03:53 PM

Thanks to all for the input so far. It's reassuring to know others are sensitive to this issue. It's also disheartening to know others are experiencing this same issue. You've given me a few ideas to try and I will report back what I find.

LarsZ52 · 02-21-2018, 03:55 PM

One more, I think someone asked if this is a convertible, it is not.

Blazin383 · 02-22-2018, 10:02 AM

Both of my Camaros run around 71-72db at highway speeds on decent asphalt. I can’t explain why the 2SS has no issue with phone calls and voice recognition and the 1LT is basically worthless under the same conditions.

Blazin383 · 02-22-2018, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blazin383

Both of my Camaros run around 71-72db at highway speeds on decent asphalt. I can’t explain why the 2SS has no issue with phone calls and voice recognition and the 1LT is basically worthless under the same conditions.

So I just spoke to my dealer service rep and explained the situation to him. He said it’s usually a problem with the mic and requires a replacement of the mic. That makes sense to me since on the LT it worked fine for a couple months and then turned to crap. I’m having the car looked at tomorrow and will report back on what they find.

ctrlz · 02-22-2018, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaro5

The wire harness inside the mirror housing catches air and makes it whistle, which overwhelms the mic.h

Maybe, but the OP didn't exactly describe whistling. I got the impression it was more of a buffeting/turbulence type of noise.
100 dB still seems high. That is lawnmower/motorcycle level inside the cabin!
It is worth looking at the mirror housings and fit of the hood for anything out of adjustment which might cause turbulence.

LarsZ52 · 02-23-2018, 11:03 AM

OK, here's where I'm at.

I placed a blanket in the trunk area. Db readings now 90-95 but did not help with phone or voice command.

I replaced the microphone which showed no improvement.

I covered my outside mirrors with plastic bags and test drove, no improvement.

Next I plan to tape around the windshield edges with that white shipping material they use when shipping a vehicle from the factory. I'll let you know my results.

My thought on the high Db numbers doesn't mean we can hear them if the frequency is outside human range. The mic can probably pick up on a wider range. I hadn't noticed the noise level being as high so that probably explains it.

02-21-2018, 07:33 AM	#1
LarsZ52 Drives: 17 Fifty Year 2SS Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Granite City Posts: 6	Interior noise & voice command issue Hi, I'm new to the forum, first entry. I have a 17 2SS Fifty Anniversary model with 8,000 miles. Great car but the problem I'm having is voice command does not understand me above 30mph. This causes problems with phone conversations as well. Acts like a wind noise problem. I'm an engineer and have access to a decibel meter. The reading is 10db higher than another Camaro I drove, close to 100db (over time can cause hearing loss). Has anyone had this same issue? I've read other blogs that stated they had to re-seal the windshield or adjust windows to fit better. I'm getting no help from the dealer or GM (won't even call me back).

02-21-2018, 02:09 PM	#6
camaro5 Drives: X-15 Velocipede Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SW Florida Posts: 4,637	It's the outside mirror making a whistling noise at speed. The wire harness inside the mirror housing catches air and makes it whistle, which overwhelms the mic. They're NEVER going to fix this. Put some tape over the wire harness in the mirror housing to prevent air flow around wire harness. They just don't sweat the details. h __________________ Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge General Motors ASEP, A.S. Automotive Technology, Telecommunications Specialist, CISCO Network Engineer STANDARD DISCLAIMER camaro5 is furnishing this information "as is". camaro5 does not provide any warranty of the information whatsoever, whether express, implied, or statutory, including, but not limited to, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or any warranty that the contents of the information will be error-free.

02-21-2018, 08:32 AM	#2
Blazin383 Drives: 2016 SS Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Richland WA Posts: 451	I have a 16 2SS and a 17 1LT. Voice texting and phone conversations at highway speeds has never been a problem in the 2SS, and worked fine in the 1LT too...for the first couple months. Then, for some Inexplainable reason, the 1LT has the problem you describe. The voice recognition is unusable for trying to speak texts, and no one is able to hear me when trying to have a handsfree phone conversation above in town speeds. I’d swear that something changed but don’t know what. As I said earlier, the 2SS doesn’t seem to have the same problem! I’m taking the 1LT to the dealer this weekend to get a door rattle fixed and I plan on asking them about the issue!

02-21-2018, 12:52 PM	#3
DangerZL1 Drives: 2023 Black ZL1 Auto Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: FEMA Region 4 Posts: 2,935	I read a magazine noise level comparison on various cars, and the Camaro was fairly quiet compared other cars like the Corvette. 100 db is almost unbelievable, unless there's a problem. It should be in the mid-low 70 db range. Anything over 80 db for extended periods is really too loud and can cause hearing loss.

02-21-2018, 01:06 PM	#4
NYJets12 Drives: 2018 1LT Camaro Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: PA Posts: 781	Maybe a gm thing not a camaro thing, I had a 2007 Pontiac gran prix and had to close the windows to use onstar on a phone call because it couldn't understand the phone number I gave it with the windows open and the sound of the wind.

02-21-2018, 03:18 PM	#8
WhyUMad1LE Drives: 17 SS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Houston Posts: 1,920	100 DB? Is this a convertible?

02-21-2018, 03:53 PM	#9
LarsZ52 Drives: 17 Fifty Year 2SS Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Granite City Posts: 6	Thanks to all for the input so far. It's reassuring to know others are sensitive to this issue. It's also disheartening to know others are experiencing this same issue. You've given me a few ideas to try and I will report back what I find.

02-21-2018, 03:55 PM	#10
LarsZ52 Drives: 17 Fifty Year 2SS Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Granite City Posts: 6	One more, I think someone asked if this is a convertible, it is not.

02-22-2018, 10:02 AM	#11
Blazin383 Drives: 2016 SS Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Richland WA Posts: 451	Both of my Camaros run around 71-72db at highway speeds on decent asphalt. I can’t explain why the 2SS has no issue with phone calls and voice recognition and the 1LT is basically worthless under the same conditions.

02-23-2018, 11:03 AM	#14
LarsZ52 Drives: 17 Fifty Year 2SS Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Granite City Posts: 6	OK, here's where I'm at. I placed a blanket in the trunk area. Db readings now 90-95 but did not help with phone or voice command. I replaced the microphone which showed no improvement. I covered my outside mirrors with plastic bags and test drove, no improvement. Next I plan to tape around the windshield edges with that white shipping material they use when shipping a vehicle from the factory. I'll let you know my results. My thought on the high Db numbers doesn't mean we can hear them if the frequency is outside human range. The mic can probably pick up on a wider range. I hadn't noticed the noise level being as high so that probably explains it.

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