Technical UConnect radio "Voice Not Ready"

[trevorwat]

2016 Panda Cross TwinAir....
During a long drive I noticed that the UConnect radio, which had been on mute, no longer had any display showing. You could tell it was on as there was a vague glow around the edges which disappeared when it was turned off. A few on/offs didn't bring back the radio or any sound.... On the same journey the climate control also suddenly switched to High and all the fans came on - but they did turn down ok. Electrics obviously having a 'wobbly'!

So, a stop and engine off then on again and the radio display came on. My Bluetooth phone settings had been wiped and needed connecting again.

However, I now have two strange issues with the radio:
1. the fm tuner will only tune to local fm stations and no national stations, but it used to..
2. if I press the steering wheel button for voice e.g. to make a phone call, on the radio I get the message "Voice not ready". The same happens if I try to listen to incoming text. Yet, I can receive and answer calls and if I dial directly from my phone (obviously while the car is stopped!) then the call goes out ok.

Any suggestions about the "Voice not Ready" message particularly?
Thanks

 

[The Panda Nut]

May be reconnect the bluetooth from scratch. I havn't seen that one yet ie Voice not ready, but my "Face does not match"! Good luck

 

[trevorwat]

May be reconnect the bluetooth from scratch. I havn't seen that one yet ie Voice not ready, but my "Face does not match"! Good luck

Thanks for the suggestion. Sadly reconnecting the bluetooth from scratch didn't work...

Does anyone with MES know if it is a setting that needs to be turned on?

NB for future reference if anyone else has the FM issue with the radio only tuning to local FM stations - it has been resolved. It would appear that in my local area the FM signals are not very strong for national stations. When I drove out of the area the radio tuned to the stations I wanted. I saved them as presets so they will work locally if I press the preset station but not if I set the radio scanning for frequencies as it skips over the correct ones....

 

[The Panda Nut]

Im glad you have resolved that one. Its a long time sice I experieced that!One holiday some years ago. Its beyond belief we cannot get radio across the whole country.

 

[The Panda Nut]

In one of the radio menus there is a re set function that allows the radio factory defaults to be restored. It might be worth trying this. It seesm like a radio issue not blue and me as some funtions are working. This described in the handbook c. Page 256.

Other thoughts does your phone have a mute setting?

You can always try a battery disconnect too if you have the radio code.

I will look at MES as well.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I cannot see anything in MES that looks likely to be of any use. The only other thought I have is maybe a loose wire or microphone connection issue. There is not much there. Also try restarting your phone. Remove user details and re pair it to the car. Also try connecting the phone to the car data USB with a cable??

 

[Panda IIs]

You can always try a battery disconnect too if you have the radio code.

This has come up a couple of times in different threads; I do not believe the radio uses or has a volatile code as fitted OEM in the latest mark. The radios are coded via a separate module behind the dash which is recognised by the body computer. These codes are embedded and shouldn't be lost by disconnection of the battery. Of course, if it is a non-standard radio this may be different.

Slightly off subject but not disconnected. I have previously described issues with a failed Blue and Me module, again there are some myths and rumours about any new unit requiring a "proxy realignment" body computer re coded to recognise a new module. This was not the case when I was recently offered a discounted secondhand unit (actually a behind the dash version from an Alfa - Panda's are under the RHD driver's seat); it was plug and play.

 

[trevorwat]

In one of the radio menus there is a re set function that allows the radio factory defaults to be restored. It might be worth trying this. It seesm like a radio issue not blue and me as some funtions are working. This described in the handbook c. Page 256.

Other thoughts does your phone have a mute setting?

You can always try a battery disconnect too if you have the radio code.

I will look at MES as well.

Thank you for your help so far and your suggestions. I have looked in my handbook and mine only has 204 pages and I cannot find any mention of restoring radio factory defaults - I agree it does seem to be a radio issue - particularly as it all worked until the radio threw a wobbly!

 

[The Panda Nut]

I will find where the reset it its either in the menu of the radio or the menu on the steering wheel buttons. I have been looking on the net but no mention of this message. I have seen it on mine but too old to remember when.... No two documents from Fiat are the same... This is P167

 

[trevorwat]

I will find where the reset it its either in the menu of the radio or the menu on the steering wheel buttons. I have been looking on the net but no mention of this message. I have seen it on mine but too old to remember when.... No two documents from Fiat are the same... This is P167

Thank you! I will give that a try tomorrow!

 

[UKRMedic]

All the more reason to switch to a witson radio this! (I should be on comission with those guys!)

 

[trevorwat]

All the more reason to switch to a witson radio this! (I should be on comission with those guys!)

Ha ha! I am seriously thinking of doing so! A few things put me off though - possible import costs to the UK; how to run the cable for the gps and how to run the cable for the microphone... Oh and identifying the one to buy as I would like to use a SIM card....

 

[UKRMedic]

Ha ha! I am seriously thinking of doing so! A few things put me off though - possible import costs to the UK; how to run the cable for the gps and how to run the cable for the microphone... Oh and identifying the one to buy as I would like to use a SIM card....

Check out my thread on it.
I didn't get charged import fees, running the cable was easy, slid it behind the roof interior and plastics along the door by removing door rubber, and sticking it back afterwards.

SIM card models are available, as well as SIM card modules - kind of usb affair I believe. But tethering to your phone is more cost effective I think.

Damn. I need to sort out a pay structure with these guys for sure...

 

[trevorwat]

I will find where the reset it its either in the menu of the radio or the menu on the steering wheel buttons. I have been looking on the net but no mention of this message. I have seen it on mine but too old to remember when.... No two documents from Fiat are the same... This is P167

Reset won't actually reset my radio. I get a message telling me the radio is resetting but it doesn't do anything other than freeze the menu so that pressing the menu button just gives me a 'resetting radio' message. After a few engine on/offs the message disappears and the menu function works correctly.

My conclusion - voice function is permanently unavailable (which basically only means that I cannot make a handsfree call out or hear incoming texts). My choices are (1) put up with it (2) change the radio for a Witson from China!

 

[UKRMedic]

(2) change the radio for a Witson from China!

Do not fear the Witson....
ALL HAIL WITSON RADIOS! I need commission. Really do.

 

[Panda IIs]

Reset won't actually reset my radio. I get a message telling me the radio is resetting but it doesn't do anything other than freeze the menu so that pressing the menu button just gives me a 'resetting radio' message. After a few engine on/offs the message disappears and the menu function works correctly.

My conclusion - voice function is permanently unavailable (which basically only means that I cannot make a handsfree call out or hear incoming texts). My choices are (1) put up with it (2) change the radio for a Witson from China!

Does this bring anything to the table; https://www.driveuconnect.com/suppo...62.1613437210.1669929235-477223681.1669929235 ?

 

[The Panda Nut]

Does this bring anything to the table; https://www.driveuconnect.com/suppo...62.1613437210.1669929235-477223681.1669929235 ?

Alas the Panda radio is not that sophisticated I dont thing it upgrades. I sometimes wonder if the 500 radio would fit in the Panda. It would probably need the B&M unit and that wouldnt match with the car and ECU..... Why we need this stuff Im not sure. All these electronic things are great when they work but only as strong as fuse wire and a tota; pain when they dont.

 

[UKRMedic]

Alas the Panda radio is not that sophisticated

All the more reason to go for witson...