Top 20 Sirius Satellite Radio Receiver Questions & Answers

Sirius is not free. You paying for the service and not getting results? If latter is case you contact them for support.

hi there, you can try to change the radio, if not, you have to see the outside cable signal catcher.

An ohm meter across the contacts of the switch, with the battery removed, will show you if it has shorted. If you get a full scale defection on the meter, just like touching the test probes together, in the off position you will have a short.

Can you be more specific about what model number you are using? Is this a car in-dash unit or a boombox, or what? Thanks.

First question is if you ever spilled a soft drink into the radio such that the AM/FM/SAT switch gets sticky? 2nd, do you have any way to pull-out the radio and borrow a magnetic-mount Sirius antenna to temporarily test and see if the antenna on the vehicle is bad? If passing the first two tests, then it's likely the whole radio unit has to be replaced with a model from a similar year. Actually, the audio quality you get from an XM Onyx will be much better than the Sirius radio in the Chrysler vehicles, and you can just use the AUX input on the radio for playback.

Most GM radios are coded to only work in the car with a matching VIN number, so most of the time you cannot do it, sorry to say. Actually, the new ONYX PLUS radio has many more features than the Caddy XM, like remembering the last 30 minutes you've listened to and the ability to pause at a drive-thru, etc. Schematics are next to impossible - back in the 80's Delco would share, but not since.

You need to put the van out in the open with the radio "ON" (car off) and leave it on CH184. Call the 800 (855-whatever) number and ask them to send a "refresh signal" to your radio after you give them the Serial number from channel 0. Wait about 20 minutes, you should eventually see an "updating" message on the display; then see if you get channel 5; if so, then you're good. Again. Car off; radio power on, van out in the open; call Sirius and ask for a 'refresh signal' for your serial number. You'll have to call during the day when they have customer service reps available. Good luck; call on your cellphone and they can walk you thru these same steps.

Buy a new one on eBay....they're about 15 bucks.

Sounds like you have two diff connections hooked together

You may need to install a tuner. You can find a kit here:http://www.tss-radio.com/products/isimple-factory-ipod-and-sirius-integration-for-volkswagen-vehicles-1

The truck antennas can go bad. It could be the cable though. You can replace either part at www.tss-radio.com

Hi,issues like this occurring all the time, and buying the same product three times with the same issues,It not worth buying again..

What i would advice is this,I think XM radio is a particular series that has a manufacturer problem called Factory Error from the company.. So all the XM radio series produced had a particular problem that makes the radio die within a short period of time...

So i would say you could try out another product of radio that will last longer.. But first you still need to take that model and try out another different model Since money refund is not an option is these case...

Hope it helped...

Hello
Please send me the model number of your Sirus Satellite Radio, and let me know whether can I place a solution before you. Ok.

all controls to my radio are dead, not even showing the time. I've checked the fuses and all are good, any ideas?

Hold it out the window. If it works than move the location of the receiver within the vehicle. Satellite is line of sight not radio waves.

Yes, Sirius and XM have merged into one company. I have had Sirius for about 5 years, and it is fantastic....music with no commercials is outstanding. Programing is awesome. Go to Sirius.com and check out more details.

I'm having same problem with XM radio in new 2011 Nissan Frontier. If the temp is above 32F in morning it acquires signal within a minute. If below, stays "loading" all the way to work (30 minutes) Come out later when warmer and functions normally. Could be antenna connection or cold throws tuner frequency off slightly. Interested in suggestions as Dealer will probably need guidance.

I have the exact same issue on my 08 Ram 1500. It even shows the same channel 184. Of course, it's warranty just expired at 39000 miles. I took it to the dealer anyway, and to quote the service tech "it points to the satellite module". Key word is points. A new module (the receiver) is $313 plus the $79 labor fee. WhenI asked if the new module did not fix the problem, if I would get a refund on the $313, he just kind of looked at me and eventually said no. I am looking for other solutions....

I hope this post finds everyone well who is having difficulties with Sirius Radio's trouble shooting advice to reactivate service. I tried to reactivated my service and had experienced all the problems that everyone has had on these forums. This is what works. It took me a lot of phone calls and I want to get the word out to everyone (regardless of Make, Model or Year of Vehicle)

First, a soft reboot does nothing and there is no such things as 'reseting' the electric system in your car. Second, there is no such thing as a 'hard' reboot to your sirius radio. All a soft reboot will get you is cold legs when you have to hold your car door open for 30 seconds in the middle of winter. All a hard reboot will do is cost you a lot of hard earned money at the dealership. Best case scenario is that your dealer replaces your entire radio and charges you $500+.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: Call Sirius Customer Service and ask for Technical Support. Explain to them you are having difficulty obtaining an activation signal. The technical support technician did the following (and it was the most intelligent thing I heard from Sirius)

1. Go turn on your Sirius Radio and tune to Channel 184.

2. The technician put a "dummy" ESN in on my account, refreshed and then re-entered my original ESN back into my account and then re-sent the activation signal. **NOTE** Make sure you write down your original ESN number before you ask to have them do step #2....there is no way for them to recover your original ESN if they put in the 'dummy' ESN and refresh.

3. Within 10 seconds of putting doing step #2, my Sirius Radio said, "Updating Channels" and worked great.

Takeaway from My Experience: I believe that once you let your Sirius Radio Service relapse and/or do not renew your subscription, a signal/frequency is sent to your radio to block service or reactivate your service. The problem must be an internal issue on Sirius where the only fix to stop this signal is to completely clear (or zero) out your original ESN, enter a dummy ESN, refresh and then re-enter your original ESN and then send the activation signal.

I hope this helps everyone.

Have you tried mounting the antenna in multiple locations, facing different directions? Not sure how far away from the base of the unit you are able to mount it, or where you live in the country, but here are the general rules for mounting it for best reception:

If you live in the Northwest, you can mount the antenna facing east or northeast; in the Southwest, mount it facing north or northeast; in the Southeast, mount it facing north or northwest; in the Northeast, mount it facing west or northwest; in the Midwest, mount the antenna directly on top of your roof.


If you have tried mounting it in different positions it is possible your actual hardware may be having a problem, or the signal is not properly synced with your hardware. The first thing to do would be to call Sirius customer support at 1-888-539-7474 and see if they can re-send the signal to your device. After trying that you still find you have issues it must be the hardware itself. Is it less than a year old? If so then you are still under warranty and can get a free replacement. If not you may want to look into replacing the unit.

Thanks so much, let me know if you have further questions by just replying here.

Tim