Problems with Starmate 4 presets

[kingchuck69]

I purchased a Starmate 4 just before last Thanksgiving and only after a few months of service, it's acting weird on occasion.

Sometimes, when I change a channel, it ends up storing that channel on preset one. It happens every time I change a channel. It mostly happens in the car and occasionally in my boombox.

Is it an issue with a circuit in the unit? I know somebody who has a Starmate 5 and it does it to him, too.

 

[My name is Matt]

I know exactly what your problem is. This is very common. What happens is that the buttons slowly slide the button strip inside the radio off of its contacts. All you need to do is open up the radio and re-adjust the strip. Here's some photos to show you what I mean.

The white strip with the silver contacts located below the LCD screen are your preset buttons. Notice in this picture how the strip is not lined up properly over the copper contacts located on the circuit board.

All you need to do is lift up the contact strip and re-align it. Be careful because the strip is a bit fragile.

Your strip should now look like this. I would suggest putting the board back into the back casing before plugging this into a dock and testing it. It'll zap you if you aren't careful. I have repaired several customers radios by doing this procedure. Opening an ST4 or ST5 is fairly simple. It's just two screws on the back the prying open the case. Just don't use any hard metal objects to pry it open. You will dent/scratch the casing. I used a guitar pick. I would really only suggest doing this if your radio is out of warranty and there's nothing else you can do.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask or even if you want me to fix your radio, PM me and I will send you the info you need to know.

 

[kingchuck69]

Thanks!

 

[kingchuck69]

Well, I did what you said, and moved the strip up. So far, so good! :agree:

 

[Aaron]

I'm going to have to try that. My Starmate 5 has been doing that alot lately. :banghead:

 

[My name is Matt]

I think it's a very common problem. I wonder if anyone from Sirius is on DRC and if they should see this thread.

 

[kingchuck69]

Another question I have: can heat cause the strip to drop? It did it to me again last weekend since it was in my hot car.

 

[My name is Matt]

Another question I have: can heat cause the strip to drop? It did it to me again last weekend since it was in my hot car.

It could be that the heat makes it not so sticky and easier to move. That would make sense. The good news is that I am in contact with someone at Sirius and they are very concerned about this problem and are trying to address it since the starmate 5 is still in production. This is exciting news because I am getting direct feedback from people like you and I can pass it up to someone that may be able to make a difference!

 

[kingchuck69]

Cool! Thanks.

 

[Aaron]

Thanks for contacting Sirius about the problem, Matt!

I would definitely believe the heat is making this happen more often. I haven't tried fixing mine yet, but I started leaving the radio in a cooler place, like the glove compartment when I'm not in the car, and the problem has rarely happened to me since then.

My radio is only about 6 months old, and still under warranty, I'd imagine?
Just waiting to see if the problems keep happening before I do something. :idunno:

 

[My name is Matt]

This feedback helps a bunch. If you do decide to replace it under warranty and they won't do anything for you, let me know and we will solve it here at TSS.