Don’t try to fix a satellite radio issue on your own
Every week, we take your questions about what is going on under the hood of your vehicle and pose them to a knowledgeable mechanic in the Greater Toronto Area. In today’s column we discuss some solutions to fix a satellite radio and what may be causing a highpitched noise when you are accelerating.
Dear Ask a Mechanic,
I drive a 2012 Mazda5. My satellite radio stopped working a couple of weeks ago and I have no idea why. When I try to turn it on, a message saying “module failure” pops up. Any idea on what I can do to fix the problem?
— Too quiet
Talha Qazi, owner of General Tech Automotive in North York, said this is a common issue he has seen, and he has developed a few different solutions. One fix includes removing the battery terminals for about 20 minutes and then putting them back in, allowing for a “hard reset.” If that doesn’t work, he uses a scan tool to read the radio’s codes and reprograms it. “Other times, the module fails because water gets into it,” he said. Qazi warns this isn’t something you should attempt to fix yourself and a professional should get involved. If something is done improperly it can possibly lead to costly repairs down the road.
Dear Ask a Mechanic,
I own a 2010 Dodge Charger. When I put my foot on the accelerator to pick up speed, I hear a high-pitched chirping noise that goes away as soon as I remove my foot. This doesn’t happen when I’m driving in calmer areas, such as local roads, and I don’t require the same level of acceleration. What could the issue be?
— Sounding squeaky
Qazi said it sounds like there’s a problem with the tensioner, from the information the writer is providing. He said the tensioner has a spring that controls the pressure on the serpentine belt. “It’s supposed to have some flex,” he said, but with increased load, the tensioner can flex “too much.” In this case, he believes the spring is getting weak, allowing the belt to slip. He suggests the writer go to their mechanic to make sure this is the issue and have the tensioner replaced. “A lot of people don’t get the belt replaced regularly,” Qazi said.
Ask a Mechanic is written by Nida Zafar, a reporter at The Pointer who grew up in a house full of mechanics in Scarborough, and occasionally poses your questions to her dad or brother. You can send your questions to wheels@thestar.ca. These answers are for informational purposes only. Please consult a certified mechanic before having any work done to your vehicle.