Hello,

I'm hoping someone can help me with this problem.

I have a 2010 Ford Fiesta Titanium.

When I plug my phone into the aux socket there is a constant hiss/fuzz when I play music that changes with the music itself, it sounds as though it is a slightly out of tune radio signal.

I have swapped the AUX plug unit for a new one.

I have tried a different cable.

I have tried a different phone.

The car radio plays without this issue.

The sound issue comes from all speakers.

I'm really stumped as to what else it could be, I wouldn't even know what else to check. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Sounds like background noise. Have you tried turnong up the volume on the phone and turning down that of the car audio unit?

 

2 hours ago, agraham said:

Sounds like background noise. Have you tried turnong up the volume on the phone and turning down that of the car audio unit?

Hi, yes I tried that unfortunately to no effect. The noise is such that if there's a lot of music it sounds ok but if there's silence or only a few instruments there's notable hiss. It's as though certain types of sound produce it.

I assume that you are connecting the headphone output of the phone to the Aux input. If you plug earphones into the phone is the background noise present then?

Also if you stop playback on the phone while connected to the Aux is the noise still present in the car at the car unit volume setting when you were listening to the music. Trying to establish whether the Aux input is noisy or if it is coming from the phone.

I don't believe this but it's my phone. I just played it from my laptop without any hiss whatsoever at any volume.

So what can I do now? I have a Google Pixel 4a and the issue is present from any app.

Or is this now a phone issue and I should head to the phone forum...!

Seems it's a common issue on the audio port of this phone so I will look into getting a cheap Bluetooth adapter for the aux socket. Thanks for your help.

Not sure if this thread should be deleted as it's not the car's fault.

35 minutes ago, Foxsbiscuits said:

I have a Google Pixel 4a

I too have a Pixel 4a, amongst a few other phones, and over the years I have ripped most of my music to MP3. Nowadays instead of CDs I usually play the MP3s back from my Pixel 4a headphone socket over my rather good, extremely neutral but a little dated HiFi system (Audiolab 8000A, Ruark Talisman II speakers, Sennheiser HD600 and Bose QuietComfort 15 headphones) and have not noticed any background noise problem. Maybe you have a phone with a bad audio output stage?

As well as Bluetooth you could try an active USB-C audio headphone dongle that the Pixel 4a does support. It takes digital audio through the USB-C port and converts it to analogue audio. I have several for my phones, they work well and are cheap off eBay. Look for a genuine Google one.

Are you charging the 'phone whilst playing in the car ?

This can cause noise on playback.

silly question have you completely reset the phone ?

 

 

Not charging whilst playing.

I really don't want to reset my phone, mainly the hassle and I don't think it'll change anything, there's many online reports of similar issues with this phone.

If I get a USB C audio adapter I can't then charge my phone at the same time which I want to do on long journeys. Unless there's a workaround like an adapter that does both?

I have tried some wired headphones and don't notice the issue so it must be something in the Fiesta radio electronics...

2 hours ago, Foxsbiscuits said:

Not charging whilst playing.

I really don't want to reset my phone, mainly the hassle and I don't think it'll change anything, there's many online reports of similar issues with this phone.

If I get a USB C audio adapter I can't then charge my phone at the same time which I want to do on long journeys. Unless there's a workaround like an adapter that does both?

I have tried some wired headphones and don't notice the issue so it must be something in the Fiesta radio electronics...

Check out a Belkin Rockstar USB-C ...

https://www.belkin.com/uk/rockstar-3.5mm-audio-usb-c-charge-adapter--/P-F7U080.html

 

I use the Apple Lightning version and its a nice little accessory to allow you to charge and also use 3.5mm audio.

Whilst that is the functionality I want I don't think my Pixel 4a is supported and apparently it's notorious for only accepting particular USB C peripherals.

I've ordered a Bluetooth adapter for now, open to wired splitter if I can be guaranteed compatibility.

10 hours ago, Foxsbiscuits said:

I want I don't think my Pixel 4a is supported

I'm pretty sure it will be as earlier Pixel devices are and the 4a supports USB-C digital audio. I've ordered one off eBay so we will see.

 

Quote

apparently it's notorious for only accepting particular USB C peripherals.

Not in my experience. I've run memory sticks, hubs and USB-C displays off mine with no trouble.

Interesting, thanks. Please let me know if it works. I also wonder whether any generic £3.99 version would work. I saw some reviews on Amazon for similar products saying functionality was mixed and they had to do things like plug in the aux first then power.

I ended up buying this as a punt knowing I could return easily if it didn't work. It works perfectly, supports fast charging on my device too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09PHMS83L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For what it's worth, try a different cable. I had an old cheapy cable from Tesco Bought this cable with significant less hiss. 

 

https://www.kenable.co.uk/en/audio-/audio-cables/jack-to-jack-35mm-cables/867-pure-hq-ofc-shielded-35mm-stereo-jack-to-jack-cable-gold-1m-000867-5055383408672.html