The audio system displays its volume level as a number from 0 to 100. When this fluctuation happens, I can actually see the radio's displayed volume change from 10 to 20 and back again. I don't think that happens when a radio momentarily loses an HD signal.
Bolt EV Audio Volume Fluctuates
My radio sound volume randomly fluctuates between two levels. It switches from one volume level to the other and back again for no apparent reason. Both levels are adjustable - i.e. when the louder volume is playing, I can change it using the volume knob (if I catch it in time, before it switches again), and the same with the softer volume. If can set them to be equal and the problem disappears temporarily, but returns intermittently whenever I change volume again.
At first, I thought it might be caused by Android Auto, or the Bolt's Auto Volume feature, but I turned both of those off and still had the fluctuating volume levels. However, the problem does go away when I turn off my phone's Bluetooth (disconnecting it from myChevrolet). I'm guessing that for some reason, the Bolt sound system has a separate volume that applies only when a Bluetooth device is connected, regardless of whether sound is coming from the Bluetooth device (Note that I am NOT using the phone as my audio source when this problem occurs, just playing FM on the Bolt's radio), and perhaps the Bluetooth connection drops occasionally, enabling the volume to shift to the non-Bluetooth level? It makes no sense, and I don't see this in the manual, so it really is just a wild guess based on the radio's behavior. And really, the Bluetooth connection should be very stable inside the car, I would think.
It's of course very annoying when the FM volume intermittently jumps from 10 to 20 and back again. Any solutions, explanations, or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated!
At first, I thought it might be caused by Android Auto, or the Bolt's Auto Volume feature, but I turned both of those off and still had the fluctuating volume levels. However, the problem does go away when I turn off my phone's Bluetooth (disconnecting it from myChevrolet). I'm guessing that for some reason, the Bolt sound system has a separate volume that applies only when a Bluetooth device is connected, regardless of whether sound is coming from the Bluetooth device (Note that I am NOT using the phone as my audio source when this problem occurs, just playing FM on the Bolt's radio), and perhaps the Bluetooth connection drops occasionally, enabling the volume to shift to the non-Bluetooth level? It makes no sense, and I don't see this in the manual, so it really is just a wild guess based on the radio's behavior. And really, the Bluetooth connection should be very stable inside the car, I would think.
It's of course very annoying when the FM volume intermittently jumps from 10 to 20 and back again. Any solutions, explanations, or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated!
1 - 3 of 11 Posts
Good guess, but no, that's not it. This was one of the first things I thought of, and so turned off auto volume and anything else that sounded like it might conceivably be intentionally changing radio volume - android auto, bluetooth, one or two others I can't remember. The problem persisted. (And really, it could not have been auto volume anyway, as the volume changes were so random and large and annoying that such auto adjustments could only have been programmed by a sadist or an imbecile.)What speed are you driving? Steady or accelerating and slowing? By which I'm suggesting that you may have discovered what Auto Volume does. See around page 161 in your owner's manual to set.
But then a few days later, the problem disappeared spontaneously, though I had made no setting changes at all. It's been close to two months now, and the problem has not returned. Maybe it never will, who knows?
1 - 3 of 11 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
GM Volt Forum
A forum community dedicated to Chevy Volt electric car owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about hybrid performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, reviews, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Recommended Communities
