[Lenny]

Hi Lenny,

First we need to establish whether it's a music file format issue or a bluetooth issue. First check the format of the music tracks it skips on as I don't think the stereo likes MP3 files. I think the files should end in file.m4a. Once you've established that it's not a file format issue then it will likely be the bluetooth. If you've got AlfaOBD diagnostics, you should be able to test the bluetooth. I'll have a look into and let you know. In the meantime, you could try disconnecting your battery for a while and reconnecting it and see if that makes any dfference?
Also try playing an album or creat a playlist and just select play for now. See if it skips tracks. Trying to eliminate and pin point when and why it happens.
I doubt it has anything to do with your steering wheel controls.

Thanks Dave,

I believe that the files are MP3 that are stored on the phone. The tracks that are skipping have previously played fine also their individual albums. I have been using the phone in the car for over 3 years without an issue, this problem has just popped up in the last couple of weeks. Sometimes everything plays fine then next time on starting the car it just starts going haywire. I replaced the hands free/Bluetooth module around 3 years ago as the last one would not connect to the phone, so hoping it's not that again as not cheap and you need to be a contortionist to get under the dash to change it out. I have an OBD but not sure if it supports Bluetooth diagnostics but will have a play later. I will also kill the battery power as that seem to fix most things Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Lenny]

The car's not playing them. The phone is playing them and streaming the audio over Bluetooth. Also, mine is more than happy with MP3s on a USB drive (which the car is definitely playing)



Maybe that's a change but it would be a very odd one. Given it's pretty much an Apple format (encoded with AAC or ALAC). **** even Apple devices don't only support m4a

I have to still wonder if there's something going on with the can / buttons. Several posts have reported things like constant skipping but also changing of radio stations (for example) @Lenny is everything OK if you're playing a CD (remember them? ) or listening to radio?
You could also pop some of the files from your phone onto a USB drive and see of they exhibit the same behaviour when played direct.

C

Thanks C,

I use the phone to listen to music while running and it plays as it should, so I know it's fine, the streaming between car and phone was what initially lead me to think that it was the buttons on the steering wheel was where the fault lay or elsewhere in the steering coulumb. I tried my OBD (NUCAR-CS) which does not support Bluetooth diagnostics, but it did not read any errors elsewhere either, so I disconnected & reconnected the battery and went for a quick spin and everything worked fine, so I will monitor it for the next few days. I'll also try the radio and visit the loft for a CD and try that too and see if anything happens with those platforms. Thanks for the advice

 

[Lenny]

Ahhh! 'Turn it off and on again' The cry of IT support since time immemorial (and I should know!)

FWIW sometimes my iMac bluetooth totally loses ability to connect to the little amp I have in my office. Hard reboot appears to be the only fix. Not the same issue you have but these things do have their problems.

The last chap that was having an issue where his radio stations were constantly cycling said his wheel buttons were fine, but we never really ascertained how to confirm that.

C

C,
I have a spare set of control buttons still on my original wheel, (I replaced this about a year ago) which I know work and will try if the problem persists, it's the only way I can think off to eliminate the buttons.

 

[Lenny]

Update, the problem returned after about a week, so I changed out the steering wheel buttons as planned and hoped that would resolve the issue. It didn't so at least I know it is not the buttons at fault. Yesterday it started skipping through track, so I switched over to the radio and it then started to skip through the frequency bands. So, at a loss to what is going on or what to try next. Anyone got any ideas or resolved this problem?

 

[Lenny]

I guess there's an issue with the actual system that makes it think the buttons are being pressed then. Have you got any kind of scanner? I doubt it'll help but worth a punt perhaps

C

Hi C, Thanks for the response, I don't have a scanner that will specifically diagnose Bluetooth. As the problem seems to come and go so intermittently, I am beginning to think that it may be the Bluetooth / hands free module, however loather to change it out as everything else works fine.