MY06 Shinka

I have this problem now where the mode button on the steering wheel will not loop cycle through all the functions like it used to, AM to FM1, to FM2, to CD, to SR1, to SR2, to SR3 and back around to AM. I have not taken it to the dealer yet and I have tried to search.

I notice this happen when I was paying attention to traffic attempting wait for an opening to make a right turn onto another street and I missed the CD mode so I kept pressing mode button to loop back to CD eventually and I missed it yet again (damn traffic!) so I must have pressed it 10 or 12 times in a row to cycle it yet again.

This time I noticed that it got stuck at on the Sirus mode and that was it. Though I haven't activated the Sirus subscription yet, I had 1 promo channel (that I never listened to) and now that's not there either with instead call 888 537 SIRI only (this was on the other channels I hadn't activated yet). And I noticed I no longer have any of the SR1, SR2 or SR3's.

Now I have to use the head unit's buttons to go between modes. The weirder part is that if I got to any AM/FM function, I can use the steering wheel mode button to go to CD then the Sirus and then mode button stays there.

If I hit FM, then go to FM2 by using the head unit button again and then use the mode button, it'll cycle through the AM/FM/FM2, then onto CD and again get stuck at Sirus.

Can anybody tell me if they know of this problem and how to fix it? I don't believe subscribing to Sirus would fix this because what if you let your subscription end then would you have this same problem eventually occur later (plus it worked fine perfectly before from the dealership). What happened?

Please help...

 

UPDATE:

Disconnected the battery and reseted the head unit. This method seemed to work as I was able to cycle through all the functions stated in the manual again.

However later during my drive, I decided to see if there was anything I could pick up on Sirus (for free?) and the mode button/function got stuck there on Sirus again with the message to call them.

I'm wondering if the hardware function/software/firmware is impeded by the lack of Sirus subscription/connection or is my car following something that Sirus is sending to it w/o me knowing it?

That would be a stupid that your mode function is entirely dependent on a subscription. What would happen to all the rx-8 owners who would let their Sirus subscription run out? Does Mazda have a firmware update for this? Would owners have to hack into their dash to litterally rip out the satelite radio unit if they didn't want Sirus no more and wanted to use their steering wheel Mode button as it's supposed to be?

I'm going to call Sirus and activate mine soon and see what happens.

 

Literature update:

From Pg 7 of the Satellite Radio Kit:

Unsigned Channel

When the selected station is an unsigned channel, the display shows that it is not signed up. [CALL 888] and [539 SIRI] are alternately flashed. (this is exactly where steering wheel mode button is hung up on).

Notes: When the contract is canceled, all the channels including 184 appear as non-contracted.

<How to clear the message>
Press any one of the FM/AM, CD, MD/TAPE, SAT, SEEK or preset buttons 1-6. (note that no mention of Mode button, but I know in my case it obviously doesn't work properly the way it's setup).

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NOW it appears that either Mazda needs a firmware fix for this or there is one and I'm not sure what rev. I'm behind on. I used to be able to get one channel, 184 but now it seems it maybe non-contracted. I also went halfway through Sirius activation page and I still have my 1 year free offer available (will activate later).

Anybody else experience this??