2011 Explorer Bluetooth Noise

[Vic]

Have you increased the outgoing volume on your phone?

 

[flaguy]

It is not a volume problem. It is plenty loud enough. There is a road noise or wind tunnel (just about blocking out the conversation). When the vehicle is parked, there is no noise. When it is in motion the noise kicks in. And, the higher the speed, the louder the noise.

 

[teh bishop]

wow - I paired my phone to my friends 2011 Tahoe and called my wife and she was like "wow what did they do to fix that" hah.

So yeah its not the phone it's the 2011 Explorer. Wah waaaah.

 

[DMesk]

I still have my bluetooth noise issue. I did pair a I-Phone with my sync. Still had much noise but not quite as bad. On a Blackberry 9530 you cant change the volume on your phone when sync is connected. Still waiting for the big fix when it come out in July. I will also mention I have had numerous bluetooth head sets paired to my phone. It has been hit and miss w/ sound quality. Sync is the worst Thought $40k car should have a hands free that work when traveling

 

[lexrid]

I'll add my name to this list. Every time my wife calls me from the Ex it sounds like she's in a wind tunnel. As soon as she comes to a stop it's crystal clear. There has to be something about the placement of the microphone in the car that is allowing air or road noise in. I just told her I'm not talking to her while she's driving because the wind noise is too distracting and makes it difficult to hear what she's saying.

 

[willwitten]

Mine works perfectly.
I have an iphone4 with the latest software.
I have 2.8 on the explorer with navigation.
I have been using various Bluetooth headsets for many years. My callers say that the explorer sounds as good or better than any I have had in the past. It is equally as good sitting still as it is going 75mph with the A/C on high. I have noticed that I can't turn my head and have to look forward for the microphone to work best. I have the standard 20inch hancook tires. I have had my car for 6weeks and 2000 miles with no problems.

It sounds like some if you have already done some good problem determination by trying different phones and different cars..... There are some "broke" cars out there that ford needs to fix!

 

[jrmexplorer]

It is not a volume problem. It is plenty loud enough. There is a road noise or wind tunnel (just about blocking out the conversation). When the vehicle is parked, there is no noise. When it is in motion the noise kicks in. And, the higher the speed, the louder the noise.

Interesting..... I wonder if this has to do with the rain noise issue. That is caused by the hollow metal tube above the windshield. The microphone sits right on top of that. I know that users with the moonroof don't have quite the issues with this part being hollow as others do (due to the mechanical stuff for the moon roof supposedly). I wonder if there isnt' a resonance developing in that area or wind leaking in that is messing with the microphone.

For those with this issue,

1.) do you have a sun roof?
2.) do you have the a-pillar rattle issue?
3.) do you have the rain noise issue?

I wonder if you could fix it by pulling out the microphone and inserting a thin piece of foam behind it.

 

[lexrid]

1. Yes
2. Have yet to hear it, but haven't listened all that closely
3. Yes

 

[IamJAd]

Some people I called had complained about it, so I finally called my answering machine and left myself a message.

Man was the noise TERRIBLE!

So, there's no official fix for this? I contacted SYNC on the phone, and they just told me to take it into the dealership. But why should I do that if they have no idea what the fix is?

 

[flaguy]

In answer to the questions,

No sunroof
No a-pillar issue
Haven't had it long enough to drive in any rain.

What is the rain noise problem anyway?

 

[jrmexplorer]

Some people I called had complained about it, so I finally called my answering machine and left myself a message.

Man was the noise TERRIBLE!

So, there's no official fix for this? I contacted SYNC on the phone, and they just told me to take it into the dealership. But why should I do that if they have no idea what the fix is?

I would take it in. Tell them the problem - call them from the phone even. Also have them take you to an Edge or another Explorer and pair your phone and rule out "software" as the issue. It's probably a bad microphone or something.

 

[flaguy]

I talked to the salesman who sold me my Explorer and asked him if he had heard complaints about the "wind tunnel" effect on the receiving end of phone calls. He suggested that it might be the A/C fan turned up and blowing into the mic. I lowered the fan during calls and folks told me it cleared up fine. The speaker phone echo effect was slightly present, but the "wind tunnel" was gone. Just a suggestion.

 

[gcr33]

I talked to the salesman who sold me my Explorer and asked him if he had heard complaints about the "wind tunnel" effect on the receiving end of phone calls. He suggested that it might be the A/C fan turned up and blowing into the mic. I lowered the fan during calls and folks told me it cleared up fine. The speaker phone echo effect was slightly present, but the "wind tunnel" was gone. Just a suggestion.

Sounds like sales BS. My AC is always on and it depends on the speed I am going. When I am stopped people tell me it's okay. When I am driving at highway speeds 65-70 MPH they say it's noisy. No reason for that.

 

[flaguy]

Gcr, you are right. The good results that I got were when I was stopped or driving at a relatively slow speed. Yesterday, at highway speed, it was the same old problem--wind tunnel and crappy reception.

 

[calb]

It is not a volume problem. It is plenty loud enough. There is a road noise or wind tunnel (just about blocking out the conversation). When the vehicle is parked, there is no noise. When it is in motion the noise kicks in. And, the higher the speed, the louder the noise.

Assuming that the cab isn't noticeably noisier, then it sounds like it might be electrical? Something between in-car microphone and phone that picks up interference (maybe from the generator?) when car speed increases?

Just a thought?

 

[RSERCOA]

Any fix yet for the bluetooth noise aka wind tunnel problem, I still have it and Ford Esculation claims I do not have a problem, won't let me speak to a Ford Engineer, dealer is waiting on 2.11 to fix problem but I doubt it will fix my problems, wind whistling noise at highway speeds in A Pillar.......cabin pressure issue sounds like the windows are down but they are up, dealer heard it but says I do not have a problem, I believe cabin pressure issue is affecting bluetooth which is useless to use at this point, not sure why I got a new Explorer now, also Navigation has a mind of it's own, I sure hope 2.11 solves all of those issues, really slow, sometimes takes the address voice wise, sometimes doesnt, try to enter manually takes 5 minutes or more, much slower than my Magellan unit and then sometimes doesn't work.... Cory thank for esculating but so far has not done any good, hope the future brings fixes...... Anyone want to buy a 2011 Explorer with 4,000 miles?

 

[IamJAd]

Any fix yet for the bluetooth noise aka wind tunnel problem, I still have it and Ford Esculation claims I do not have a problem, won't let me speak to a Ford Engineer, dealer is waiting on 2.11 to fix problem but I doubt it will fix my problems, wind whistling noise at highway speeds in A Pillar.......cabin pressure issue sounds like the windows are down but they are up, dealer heard it but says I do not have a problem, I believe cabin pressure issue is affecting bluetooth which is useless to use at this point, not sure why I got a new Explorer now, also Navigation has a mind of it's own, I sure hope 2.11 solves all of those issues, really slow, sometimes takes the address voice wise, sometimes doesnt, try to enter manually takes 5 minutes or more, much slower than my Magellan unit and then sometimes doesn't work.... Cory thank for esculating but so far has not done any good, hope the future brings fixes...... Anyone want to buy a 2011 Explorer with 4,000 miles?

2.11 doesn't fix it. I know first-hand.

 

[gcr33]

Any fix yet for the bluetooth noise aka wind tunnel problem, I still have it and Ford Esculation claims I do not have a problem, won't let me speak to a Ford Engineer, dealer is waiting on 2.11 to fix problem but I doubt it will fix my problems, wind whistling noise at highway speeds in A Pillar.......cabin pressure issue sounds like the windows are down but they are up, dealer heard it but says I do not have a problem, I believe cabin pressure issue is affecting bluetooth which is useless to use at this point, not sure why I got a new Explorer now, also Navigation has a mind of it's own, I sure hope 2.11 solves all of those issues, really slow, sometimes takes the address voice wise, sometimes doesnt, try to enter manually takes 5 minutes or more, much slower than my Magellan unit and then sometimes doesn't work.... Cory thank for esculating but so far has not done any good, hope the future brings fixes...... Anyone want to buy a 2011 Explorer with 4,000 miles?

Mine already has 7500 miles. 2 1/2 months. I get the complaint from one person the most but now I am hearing other people who say they can't hear me. Move the mic back to the mirror. The only complaint I ever got on my 08 EX was when it rained. I could live with that.

It seems as if there are a lot more EXs on the road all of a sudden. :us

 

[stripesace]

BRAND NEW 169.4 miles on it, and am experiencing this issue with 2.11 on the sync. Not really sure what they can do about it. I pointed my center vents down a little bit. It was so funny that as soon as i my hand over the mic area to deflect the wind from it my wife said it got better. I was doing 20mph with my air fan on high in a parking lot and she asked if I was on the freeway with my windows down.

sounds like there is two issues at hand here. 1 the noise canceling algorithms need some refining. Two the microphone cover is not deflecting wind away from the microphone, or there is not adequate wind-screen protection. two things that could probably be fixed. Curious as to how long a simple fix for this is going to take and how annoying you'll have to be with the service people to get it fixed.

 

[DMesk]

Not a New Problem

I found the same problem with Edge, Mustang, Fusion, and Flex in thier forums. Its been a around since Sync has been here. Ford offered a stick on mike for some when it was in the mirror. It now is mounted in the headliner instead of stuck on. I think now its just a poorly designed system. Maybe a good aftermarket mike will come around with some time. I do have a appointment with service at dealer for upgrade to 2.11 and a new mike. Hope it helps.