XG350L AM section of radio shuts down

Yesterday, while on a 6 hour trip in our 2002 XG350L, we were listening
to AM on the radio and the AM band just quit working. The display still
indicated frequencies but there was no sound and it would not stop any
any station on scan. The FM sections worked fine.

We had left a CD in the player and we took it out, turned the unit off
for 10 minutes and when we turned it back on, the AM band was back. My
thoughts are that it was a heat issue.

I called the dealer, explained the incident and suggested that it might
have gotten hot from the CD motor running and the tech told me that the
motor doesn't run when a disc is not actually playing. Although we are
at 28,000 miles and the radio warranty is good for 36,000, he explained
that they couldn't do a thing for me unless they could duplicate the
problem. That might be hard to do in a shop. He said bring it in if it
does it again. I don't take 6 hour trips very often, and by the time I
got it to the shop, it might be OK.

I called Hyundai customer service and was told the same thing. The
warranty is no good if the problem is intermittent and they can't
duplicate it.

In other words, if I get past the 36,000 miles and it dies for good, I'm
stuck with a defective radio. I'm sure that unit isn't inexpensive.

I am keeping real good notes and asked the lady at Hyundai customer
service to make a notation in my file. Is there anything else I can do
to protect myself?

 

Is it posible that there were no good am stations in the area? Hyundai
radios are not know for the best am reception.
As far as the warranty goes, I belive that the bumber to bumber covers
the radio for 60,000 miles or 5 years. The only things covered by the
basic new car warranty are things that wear out (like brakes,
windshield wipers, etc).

 

No, it was completly dead. No noise -- nothing. I called both the
dealer and Hyundai today and the radio is under Warranty up to 36,000
miles. Funny thing, that's in the book, but I don't remember the
salesman telling me that!

They told me they would need to reproduce the problem in the shop to be
able to help me. If something happens after 36,000 miles, I am out of
luck. We have a tough attorney general here in Iowa, so if it comes
down to that, I plan on causing them some grief.

They make it out like the 60,000 warranty covers everything. I
understand not covering tires, spark plugs, batteries, brakes, etc, but
not covering the expensive radio is a crock.

Tonight, I am going to leave the radio on all night in my garage and see
if has quit by morning. If it does, my first stop will be the local
Hyundai dealer. It might not get quite hot enough without the car
running, but obviously, I can't do that.

The other thing that crossed my mind is that since the antenna is in the
rear window, and I had the defroster on, maybe the antenna circuit
opened up due to heat there. The FM was fine, so this theory would only
hold true if the antennas are separate, and I don't think they are.

 

Not to worry. As far as I can remember, your documentation of having
reported a warrantee issue to the dealership will establish your claim. No
matter if the mileage runs past the magic number, the defect showed up while
it was covered. I'm sure the persons you spoke to were not authorized
decision makers or attorneys for the company or they would have known.

 

I have a question. How can I talk to the 'authorized decision maker' in Hyundai Consumer Affairs? Do I ask for a manager?

 

One day I was in the dealership, and there was a lady with 03 Tibrun. I've talked to her for 10 min. about her car. She told me that she had to come to the dealership several times because of the radio and clock problems. They told her that there are virus that are jumping around one place to another. It seems they couldn't catch the virus, because it doesn't stay in one place. Of course, it's like a computer virus. I'm not an expert on cars, but your car might have that problem. I hope this helps.

 

oh, did I reply back in right place? oh well.

 

Did you tell her to see her doctor? She should get a flu shot
at once.

 

GREAT! Finally found a creative BS artiste worthy of mention. Gee whiz,
anyone who would fall for that should be retested for their driving license.

talked to her for 10 min. about her car. She told me that she had to come to
the dealership several times because of the radio and clock problems. They
told her that there are virus that are jumping around one place to another.
It seems they couldn't catch the virus, because it doesn't stay in one
place. Of course, it's like a computer virus. I'm not an expert on cars, but
your car might have that problem. I hope this helps.

 

Just mention that you are not troubled by their non-response as you feel you
have properly documented the fault and have sent a copy to the Attorney
General in your state "just in case" there is a question as to the timing of
the warrantee. My best guess is you will be chased out to your car by
someone who will offer to fix the problem as a "courtesy". If not, there is
always a General Manager or Zone Manager. It will usually not be the first
or second person you speak to since they are likely just shills trying to
keep you from getting to the real person.

Seriously, I cannot see how a business can prefer to function the way some
dealers do. they save no real money in the long run and bring no credit to
their reputations.

Hyundai Consumer Affairs? Do I ask for a manager?