2013 Fusion Hybrid Audio Upgrade

[wikkid1976]

Hey all.

 

I just had my 2013 Fusion Hybrid SE into a local shop to have the sound system bumped up a notch.

 

He installed a new amp and sub. Also doing whatever they do to the other speaks to ensure they backing off the bass some.

 

Systerm sounds quite good, but there's 2 issues.

 

1. This is a game breaker, and will have to get into the shop again asap. The system works great while parked, or stopped and in drive. But once I pull away from a stop light or whatever, the audio completely cuts out. The car has to be powered down (rebooted) to bring audio back. And again, it works until I start to drive. I'm hoping maybe someone here has an idea what could cause this so I could go into the shop with an idea of what's wrong.

 

2. The sound quality is drastically better with the doors open, and the trunk open. I'm wondering if this could be a result of the Active Noise Control?

 

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[murphy]

IMHO you have detuned the system and the active noise control will no longer work. It depends on being able to take a noise signal and play it back exactly out of phase at the same amplitude so the noise is canceled. It may now be detecting the audio as noise and canceling it.

[wikkid1976]

Yeah I would expect it to be a little wonky. I guess I need to research a way of disabling the Active Noise Control. Hopefully temporarily, to see if I can notice a difference.

Edited November 12, 2013 by wikkid1976

[wikkid1976]

I was able to get it into the shop and they were able to fix the issue of it cutting out when driving.

 

Now I just need to figure out how to disable the Active Noise Control to see if that`s why the sound just isn`t right.

 

I`ve found the mics, but they don`t look easily disabled.

[B25Nut]

I think you're opening a can of worms The ANC is something you don't want to be without, unless you plan on playing your audio at high volume all the time.

[Sleddog]

Do you have the my ford touch package? If so it sounds like you have an issues with the occupancy mode the is used to select the sound settings depending how people are seated in the car. Changing the audio system may not be worth the issues the change can create. If you can not fix the issues you have, hopefully you can return the car to it's original state.

 

Another question. Does this local shop have experience with the Fusion's audio system and how the ANC system works? If not, the parts change may have totally altered the way the system is designed to work.

[wikkid1976]

To be honest I dont know how many audio installers would have experience with a 2013 Fusion Hybrid. It's just not that common of a car.

 

He is aware that the ANC is the issue, and I'm very hesitant to to allow any permanent changes (ie: cutting mics) for fear of long term surprises.

 

As it is, I have confirmed it could be returned to a stock state if needed. But I'd really like to work this issue out.

 

It's amazing they can have a software based feature that I can't just turn off. Even just to test and see if it solves the problem.

 

I figured I'd post here in hopes I'm not the only fella getting his audio upgraded, and maybe having seen the issue before.

Edited November 13, 2013 by wikkid1976

[murphy]

According to the owner's manual fuse 33 in the fuse panel that is under the dash above the driver's feet is for the radio and the active noise control.

I have to lay on my back with my head near the accelerator pedal to see it.

[wikkid1976]

Hrm, I should take a look at that. I wonder, however, what "radio" means. Kinda vague. Just am/fm? Sirius? Whole head unit?

 

I wouldn't want to pull the fuse and find it creates a whole new problem.

Edited November 13, 2013 by wikkid1976

[murphy]

A warning. The white piece of plastic in the upper left corner is a fuse puller. Before you try to remove it take a towel and stuff it behind the carpet. If you drop the puller or the fuse it may fall behind the carpet. It takes a lot of disassembly to get something from behind the carpet. Guess how I know that.

[wikkid1976]

Lol, thanks for the advice. I'll take a look at it shortly as I have to head out for a bit.

 

Hopefully no side effects to pulling it and putting it back in if something needed doesn't power up.

[Sleddog]

The software for the audio probably can be accessed and the program probably can be put in test mode, or in a mode you can change the bit settings. But the ability to do that is beyond your local service department. It would take a the developers code and the ability to access it. And more than likely, that base code access is protected by at the least passwords and physical hardware requirements. It could be the code can not be tested or altered while it is resident in the cars computer.

Edited November 13, 2013 by Sleddog

[wikkid1976]

Yeah, shame they didn't just code an off switch.

 

Ahh well, as I get it sorted, I'll keep this post updated. Just in case anyone else has the same issues.

 

And who knows, maybe it'll catch the attention of a car audio pro who's done this and feels like sharing some advice. :)

[acdii]

This is why I chose to not go this route with the SE and just live with the poor gas mileage. I figured by the time all the parts were thrown at it and finally worked around the ANC and other things It would cost more than the difference of the HyTi.

[wikkid1976]

I had to choose between Titanium, or Hybrid. Couldn't find a car with both in a reasonable time.

 

I have to say I was not impressed by the Sony system in the Titanium enough to choose it over the Hybrid.

 

Ansolutely wish I could have just gotten a Titanium Hybrid, though.

 

Ahh well, I'm sure it'll get sorted. Even if it's time for installers to learn the car, details to be found, or whatever needs to happen.

Edited November 15, 2013 by wikkid1976

[acdii]

When my car arrived, my salesman sat in the car with me, I plugged in my USB stick, and chose Ghost Riders by the Outlaws. He sat there and said, wow, that really does sound nice compared to the other cars. I hadn't even tuned the sound yet.

 

All I can say is car stereos have come a long way. Factory installed systems actually sound better than aftermarkets did back in the 90's. I think a lot of it has to do with the actual design of the speaker placements and sound tests run during the development of the cars interior. I'm sure a better system than the Sony can be installed, but since I am not out to be heard with a thumping bass, and like to keep my hearing, the Sony is just right. It has the highs, mid and low the SE didn't have, and doesnt sound muddy. Could use a bit more bass like what my Flex has, but I can live with it how it is. I also dont use the SCV in the Fusion as I found it gets too bassy, but I have it set to 7 in the Flex. total different sound.

[Riggo]

I agree that sound systems have come a long way since the 90s. I love my titanium sony sound system, now if only Sirius can do something about their compression. The music on Sirius sounds so muddy on my system compared to HD radio or my iPhone iPod plugged in.

[dkegel]

I agree that sound systems have come a long way since the 90s. I love my titanium sony sound system, now if only Sirius can do something about their compression. The music on Sirius sounds so muddy on my system compared to HD radio or my iPhone iPod plugged in.

Yes. My wife loves her Sirius. Me, I'll take HD radio sound quality and suffer through the commercials any day. Sirius audio quality is horrible.

 

Dave

[acdii]

I agree that sound systems have come a long way since the 90s. I love my titanium sony sound system, now if only Sirius can do something about their compression. The music on Sirius sounds so muddy on my system compared to HD radio or my iPhone iPod plugged in.

Sirius is pissing me off, STOP CALLING ME! I listen to Pandora and it sounds amazing through USB.

[corncobs]

This is the best feature of the new iOS 7 - caller blocking.

[acdii]

This is the best feature of the new iOS 7 - caller blocking.

:worship: :yahoo:

[musicmafia]

this thread describes an easy way to disable the ANC mics if you want to try it...I am also hoping to add a amp and sub to the trunk of my FFET

[musicmafia]

posting the link (from this forum) but it is not showing for some reason....

[erichFla]

musicmafia , is this the LINK you were trying to post?

 

 

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/7091-disable-active-noise-cancellation/

[kelly6869]

Does anyone have a wire schematic for the 2016 fusion energy titanium with Sony 12 speaker sound system? I want to upgrade my system and I really need a wire diagram. I wan to know what all of the wires are from front to back if possible.