Static noise during phone call

[AJ Tuli]

Hi, Did anyone else had an issue while receiving phone calls on lightning on Android phones? I have an android phone, at random times when i receive phone call all i hear is static noise. I usually transfer the call to phone and then transfer back to truck then it works no problem. Anyone else had this issue?

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[TaxmanHog]

I've had issue where the other party can't hear me, similar solution to remedy the issue, there are a few threads, on this problem, no idea if or when it will be fixed. [Galaxy S10e]

 

[Zprime29]

yes, happens to me once or twice a week. I usually hang up and call back, I'll try the transfer next time.

 

[Joneii]

I get static with an iPhone if it is connected with a cord to the USB port in the truck. If it is not connected via USB cord then it usually works fine. So this is not only an android issue.

 

[AJ Tuli]

I wish ford would take this seriously, this is a very basic function that they couldn't get it right. @Ford Motor Company

 

[Ford Motor Company]

yes, happens to me once or twice a week. I usually hang up and call back, I'll try the transfer next time.

Hey, Brandon! I can take a closer look into your static phone audio concerns if you'd like. Can you send us a direct message with your VIN and the dealership name/location? To send a DM, just click on our username and select "Start Conversation".

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I get static with an iPhone if it is connected with a cord to the USB port in the truck. If it is not connected via USB cord then it usually works fine. So this is not only an android issue.

Good morning! I would be glad to help you out with these static phone audio concerns. Just shoot us a direct message with your VIN and dealer name/location, and I'll get right on it. To send a DM, just click on our username and select "Start Conversation". Thank you!

 

[metroshot]

There must be some type of radio or EM signal that interferes with cellular.

Based on how EVs are moving away from AM radio because EVs emits so much radio frequency interference.

I have had many calls unintelligible with my iPhones (Verizon and T Mobile) while inside.

Installing a cellular booster this weekend (WeBoost) to test out if it will eliminate the RFI/EMI.

 

[Zprime29]

Hey, Brandon! I can take a closer look into your static phone audio concerns if you'd like. Can you send us a direct message with your VIN and the dealership name/location? To send a DM, just click on our username and select "Start Conversation".

This isn't a problem specific to the lightning or Ford, I've had this sort thing happen in nearly every BT car equipment I've ever used. Although I will note that it seems to happen more frequently in the lightning. There's nothing the dealer can do about it, we'll need to wait for Ford, Google, Apple, etc...to update software and try to improve reliability. It's a minor inconvenience that is easily solved.

 

[chl]

This isn't a problem specific to the lightning or Ford, I've had this sort thing happen in nearly every BT car equipment I've ever used. Although I will note that it seems to happen more frequently in the lightning. There's nothing the dealer can do about it, we'll need to wait for Ford, Google, Apple, etc...to update software and try to improve reliability. It's a minor inconvenience that is easily solved.

Never had the problem with our 2015 Prius and an iPhone...or in my 2012 Nissan Leaf.
They both have Blue Tooth connections between phone and audio system, and no trouble when the phone is charging on the USB.

Static is frequently an issue with EM interference, and if you are experiencing it in your vehicle then there is a filtering or shielding problem somewhere in the car from a source of EM (radio waves).

Sometimes it is the USB port itself that is of poor quality, and since this seems to be happening when plugged in the the Lightning USB port, that is probably the culprit - just a guess as an electrical engineer, and from reading about USB charger issues.

These are SUPPOSED to be rated for automotive use, but we all know from experience that some sources of parts (China) produce shoddy items not up to spec. And the circutry feeding the USB port could be the culprit.

That is, the issue could be the DC source used to power the USB port.
So, in most cars, there is a 12volt batter that powers all the electronics.

In an EV with 240vac and/or 120vac in the bed, like the lightning, you have one or more inverters, which are switching devices, and can produce RF interference.

Also, to charge the 12vdc battery, the Li battery has to be stepped down to around 13vdc, which again uses switching devices that can produce RF interference. DC is stepped down with a voltage regulator, but cheap ones can produce a lot of RF noise because they don't have effective pi filters.

The latter voltage regulator could convey the RF through the 12volt line to another step down circuit to 5vdc which could also cause RF noise, then to the USB outlet, and unless somewhere that RF is filtered out, it will reach the cell phone.

I suspect the voltage regulators used in the USB circuitry are not filtered properly, but this is just an over-educated guess.

 

[Zprime29]

@chl I should have specified that the "noise" I've encountered makes the audio sound very garbled. It's not a static noise like you'd get on the radio when tuning to a frequency that doesn't have a station. It's more like the signal quality isn't fully synced with everything and calling back (or apparently transferring the call) resets the sync.

 

[Nikos]

I have experienced few dropped calls with my Lightning, but lately things have gotten much better. What I have noticed lately and especially today, is a static noise coming from the door speakers, even though the radio/entertainment system is off, Climate system off. Very low, subtle white static noise. Anyone else with this issue??

 

[trev5150]

In medicine this thread would be referred to as a “zebra hunt”. You all want to blame the port or the phone or the truck but the root cause is probably (very probably) the cables you’re using.

USB cables are a very get-what-you-pay-for proposition. Even a more expensive cable wears out over time, and often I ways that aren’t readily visible. The more these cables get used (ie every time you get in and out of the vehicle and bend that cable as you stuff the phone into the cup holder (or whatever- I’m not getting into your specifics) you put a force on the wires and the shielding in the back shell behind the connector. Guess what that shit is fraying a little more every time you use it.

Eventually a wire breaks and completely or has intermittent connection (performance degrades before it fails completely) or the braided shielding feats to the point of ineffectiveness and that’s it.

Buy new cables. Buy good cables.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I have experienced few dropped calls with my Lightning, but lately things have gotten much better. What I have noticed lately and especially today, is a static noise coming from the door speakers, even though the radio/entertainment system is off, Climate system off. Very low, subtle white static noise. Anyone else with this issue??

Hello! Could you privately message us with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer so I can look into this speaker noise concern for you? Thank you!

 

[Peddyr]

This isn't a problem specific to the lightning or Ford, I've had this sort thing happen in nearly every BT car equipment I've ever used. Although I will note that it seems to happen more frequently in the lightning. There's nothing the dealer can do about it, we'll need to wait for Ford, Google, Apple, etc...to update software and try to improve reliability. It's a minor inconvenience that is easily solved.

This never happened to me using my BT in previous F150's or any other vehicle for that matter. Given that you can put the call on speaker and back to BT, I suspect it has something to do with Sync.

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