New Leon MP3 Incompatibility on ALL FR 2009> models.

[Crackyrich]

Have had my FR in to the dealers again trying to diagnose the problem of poor sound quality of MP3 sound. Tried MP3 on the demo FR and it was exactly the same. The stereo plays CD's and radio perfectly. Plug in an MP3 either with a jack or SEAT adaptor and the unit simply doesn't play it properly. Try playing a track and moving the balance to the left and then the right. One side just doesn't have full range and sounds like it's underwater. Am glad that it's no longer my car being defective but it does mean that the whole range is prone to this problem. Maybe it's just FR's? As far as I know it could be just the 2009 onwards model. Would be interested to hear your results so I can take them to SEAT when the technical dept no doubt just put their hands up and say "it's beyond the limit of the technology" as I was told today.

 

[hothatchnut]

Hi,
I have an 09 Leon FR TDI 170. I attached my ipod classic via the official seat cable.
Sounds fine to me and full left or right balance sounds ok too.

hope this helps, good luck getting it sorted.

 

[Crackyrich]

Interesting. It is weird, it was the same in all 3 FR's we tried at the dealer. Lets hope SEAT can help. Thanks.

 

[IanG]

I've got the official Seat Ipod cable and it does it in my 09 FL FR as well

It's even more audible if I just use a simple 3.5mm jack connector

 

[Crackyrich]

It seems that it's obviously not all models. V strange. Leon's going back in tomorrow, SEAT techies have a solution apparently. Here's hoping.

 

[Crackyrich]

Can put this issue to bed now. SEAT technical told the dealer to replace the connectors and I finally have a fully functioning sound system. Yey!

 

[alexx]

Hi, I've just had my '59 Leon FR 170 in for it's 10,000 mile service at Ted Johnsons, Doncaster.

I explained I had exactly the same problem with sound from my iPod(s) through the speakers as you did. I haven't bought the official SEAT cable, as I rather object to paying a lot of cash for a cable where SEAT have more than likely done a 'twisted pair' swap inside the cable for exclusivity.

I was told by the dealer, that they could find no issue with the iPod they used and there was therefore nothing that could be done.

I'm interested to see that there IS something that can be done and will be contacting the garage asap.

Thank you for your post!

PS. Funny that I had MK2 '56 Leon FR which I had exactly the same setup that worked just fine... Hmmm...

 

[Crackyrich]

I got similar levels of poor co-operation from the 1st dealer I went to in Plymouth. Went to Exeter and they were excellent, actually showing an interest in my problem instead of making me feel like I'm just being petty.
Plug your iPod in, turn the sound over to the bad side and show them. Don't take no for an answer. I will check mine with a single jack in the morning and let you know what happens but I'm pretty sure it'll be fine. £85 is a rip off but being able to control the device through the steering wheel buttins and the display is good.
Glad I could help, it drove me crazy!

 

[alexx]

Thanks for that. I commented on this issue when I bought the car from them last Oct but nothing was done (maybe they thought I was a daft girly).

Two iPods, checking the iPods out elsewhere on other people's cars, two cables and one frustrated me later, I decided that a detailed written explanation was required for the first service....

If I hadn't seen your post, I was going to write directly to SEAT. Figured they had a batch of faulty AUX IN connectors and you seem to have proved me right. Out of interest, did normal playback have a lot of echo, alomost like being in a cave? It clicked when you said the balance showed the problem clearly.

Hopefully TJ's will help, if not there is an alternative garage I could try...

So thanks again!

PS. That's a damn fine part of the country you live in!

 

[Crackyrich]

Why thank you! I spend my days whipping around the place for my job as a pharma rep. Not a bad office!

So yeah, I typed out the problem in detail for when I took mine into the 2nd garage. What I should have done was move the balance to the bad side and tell them that it needed to be resolved as they were not as audibly sensitive as me!

Yep, when listening to music it sounded distorted and kinda underwater. They took the whole dash board out to replace a media processor but made no difference. The part that SEAT told them to replace was the actual part with the ports on it, behind the gearstick. Took about an hour. Instantly fixed. You could get them to phone SMC Exeter and ask them about it? SEAT knew which bit to replace instantly when the dealer phoned them so they obviously know about the issue at SEATs tech dept.

 

[alexx]

Well, after an extremely unhelpful person at TJ's told me that "if the computer cannot find the fault then we will not order a part", I contacted SMC Exeter where a very helpful gentleman remembered your issue, agreed it sounded the same, gave me the SEAT Customer Care number & then volunteered to ring TJ's directly to discuss the situation! Now THAT'S being helpful...

SEAT Customer Care have now opened a case for me, so hopefully something will happen. I got a "you can bring the car in again" from TJ's - my comment "so I can waste 2 hrs travel time for your computer to say there's no fault?"

So we shall see...

PS. A good job too! Any vacancies going? (very cheeky, I know!)

 

[Crackyrich]

Exellent! The guys and Gals at SMC Exeter truly are fine examples of what after sales care should look like. I just tried to send you a message so we can talk work without annoying the other posters on here but no joy. E me at [email protected] and I'll take you through it.
In the mean time, isn't there another dealer you could go to? My nearest one is 3 miles away in Plymouth but after their attitude I now take Leon to Exeter and they will get all of my servicing etc business from now on. Mine's a high mileage fleet car so gets service about every 3-4 months. TJ's don't deserve your business. Trash them on the dealer section of this forum.

 

[alexx]

Good news! Got a call from TJ's to say they've ordered the part & when could I come in to get it installed?! "This Saturday?" "No, that's not possible".
So I've got to take some time off from work midweek (this has miffed me) but I suppose it is a result.
Here's hoping it does the trick...

So a big thanks to you, SMC Exeter and the SEATCupra.net forum for all your help !

 

[onlyonearrow]

My 2009 FL Leon had the same ipod connector issue. Since I use the USB key as it's more convenient, I didn't rush to follow up to get a fix. But called in a couple of weeks ago to the service department at the garage I bought it from - Nidd Vale in Harrogate. I demonstrated the problem to SEAT head technician and although he had never encountered the issue before he agreed there was a problem. On the basis of this thread he ordered a replacement connector unit on spec.

The replacement unit was fitted today and the L-R balance is now fixed and correct.
Full marks to Nidd Vale for sorting the problem without any fuss.

And thanks to the other posters for helping diagnose the problem.

 

[alexx]

Hello onlyonearrow, just to finish up, the connector was replaced and the balance problem was rectified.

I'm glad to hear you had no issues with getting the problem fixed at Nidd Vale and this thread helped you. At least mine & Crackyrich's frustration/perseverance got us somewhere!

 

[IanG]

Got the same problem with mine and off to the dealer tomorrow to see what they say.

Had an initial telephone conversation with them today and was met with "Not heard about that problem before"

Could be an interesting conversation

 

[alexx]

Good luck IanG - I'd print off & show them this thread if there's a problem... Fingers crossed for you!

 

[IanG]

Thanks I've already got my prints ready for tomorrow

 

[Crackyrich]

They might not have but SEAT technical definately have. Tell them to make the call, takes 2 minutes.

 

[IanG]

They might not have but SEAT technical definately have. Tell them to make the call, takes 2 minutes.

Well just back from the dealers in Durham which I can only describe as an unpleasant experience.

Why do dealerships treat you like a muppet when you can clearly display that a problem exists?

Tried on another Leon and as that car had perfect sound proved that there is something up with the CUP interface on mine.

I asked the Technician if he could ring Seat Technical as previous posts but he "claimed" that they could only make contact electronically using something called a Dis-Report and Seat would then investigate the fault?

Anyway after threatening to call Seat Customer Services (I'm still going to ring them) he said he would order the part and when it was in would get the car booked in to change it over and would also check out the Radio firmware etc.

So hopefully next week it might be fixed