...and we're not talking the super-cute pictures of baby animals type squee. What we're dealing with in our 2009 Infiniti FX50S is a super-high-pitched (probably out of some people's hearing range) squuuuuueeeeeee every time you depress the accelerator with an iPod connected.
It's caused by improperly shielded/separated wires that are mixing signals when a current says, "Hey! Fuel pump....GO!" If we were to rip the FX50 apart we'd most likely find that the wires powering the iPod connection hard-wired in the center console are, in some spot, in close proximity to the wires that make fuel pumps pump. They could even be wrapped in the same harness. *gasp*
Bush-league mistake that every rookie car audio installer would catch before turning the system on. Never had this happen in any other Nissan/infiniti...only this one. Lame.
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant @ 28,511 miles
sgude says:
11:07 AM, 01/ 7/10
I agree, Mike -- totally bush league. Maybe some shielding/cover has separated.
Off topic -- that is the most scratched-up looking iPod I have ever seen! I hope that scratched-up mess is a plastic cover.
joliveira says:
11:08 AM, 01/ 7/10
Wow... I can see some scratches on that ipod.
eidolways says:
11:09 AM, 01/ 7/10
Now, now. It's not nice to insult our previous President like that. Give the man some credit.
The noise would have obviously been caused by vibration, so he would have tied the cables down. *nods*
In other news, my G8 does something similar with its built-in Bluetooth hands-free system. Whenever I'm chatting with someone over the Bluetooth link using my car's stereo, there's a noticeable whine in the background of the audio that changes with my car's speed.
alex4515 says:
11:09 AM, 01/ 7/10
As for the iPod - that'll buff right out.
The squeeeee reminds me of riding on the school bus in elementary school. They used to play country music and it did that same thing.
boxermike says:
11:10 AM, 01/ 7/10
Joliveira:
Good thing I didn't show the back...covered in dents. Looks like a golf ball.
- Magrath
lowmilelude says:
11:32 AM, 01/ 7/10
Back in my boomin' system days, this was a fairly common issue; considering the amount of cable and wire running all over the place. An embarrassing issue for the manufacturer, to be sure; but can be easily solved by running to Radio Shack for a ground loop isolator.
wobbly_ears says:
11:46 AM, 01/ 7/10
@boxermike,
What did that ipod ever do to you man??
dscain says:
12:17 PM, 01/ 7/10
I know we're off topic, but I just bought a new rubber case for my new iPod for less than $20. Mike, I know this one is shot, but if you ever replace that iPod, please save us some pain and get a case!
r4r says:
03:42 PM, 01/ 7/10
My sister in law Toyota 4 Runner has this same problem where she presses the accelerator, it makes a noise in the sound system with the i-pod connected. In a way it could be used as a warning noise when the vehicle inexplicably accelerate due to the faulty Toyota drive by wire.
carguy622 says:
04:05 PM, 01/ 7/10
I guess it's a testament to Apple that the iPod still functions, and we also know that some of Edmunds' staff are equally brutal with everything they use. ;)
roadburner says:
04:28 PM, 01/ 7/10
"An embarrassing issue for the manufacturer, to be sure; but can be easily solved by running to Radio Shack for a ground loop isolator."
That's what I had to use to quiet down the Aux input on my MS3.
dubaizen says:
08:07 PM, 01/ 7/10
how come the passenger seats fan is set to the hottest setting, whereas the drivers set to the coldest? :D
crazydavefym says:
08:27 AM, 01/ 8/10
Is this an issue that can be fixed by a warranty claim? Or is an issue that they can(will) blame on the iPod?
tarmacdaddy says:
10:09 AM, 01/10/10
I have the same issue with my 08 Evo. At first, I thought it was a louder than usual fuel pump, but lately I have noticed the tone fluctuate with my throttle input.
Looks like I will be making a trip to Radio Shack as well.