Terrible Reception

[Hunter]

Any body out there any ideas why the reception on my radio would be awful. I really struggles to find any stations. Its not the area im in as this is also true when im out and about driving up and down the country.

 

[srhutch]

is your aerial still attached or has some scrot knicked it?

 

[Hunter]

Still there, was the same with the standard aerial. 4" stubby now and no improvement

 

[Mikenmass]

Not great on mine either. The advanced system uses a dipole built into the trunk for a back up antenna. That tells you what BMW thought of the standard antenna.

 

[Hunter]

So whats the solution? any ideas?

 

[Mikenmass]

Don't know maybe there is a kit for the dipole, but havn't checked.

 

[Hunter]

i got ipod and a cd changer but id much rather have a radio, like the variety on a long journey. Im not so sure its the aerial, because i have tried the standard one and 3 different stubbies. All about the same.

 

[srhutch]

might be worth taking out the head unit to esnure the aerial is still connected.

 

[Hunter]

It is, had it out when parrot was fitted

 

[Ian_Mac]

Many of the Mk 2 Astras round here seem to find a metal coat hanger quite useful.!!

I'm sure there'll be some kind of in-line FM amplifier available on a more serious note.

quick search on flea bay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Car-Radio-Fm-An...emZ350210506333QQcategoryZ32812QQcmdZViewItem

it's not a recommendation though!!

 

[Shipkiller]

Can you pull the head unit and check to see if the antenna plug is seated properly?

Also, you can check the "Diversity Amplifier" located on the left side of the boot, behind the carpet, along the fender/wheel well, for loose connections.

The antenna tuner module is located in that area also.

 

[Smokin]

Interesting. I would check as shipkiller suggested as my reception is fine.

 

[Hunter]

Can you pull the head unit and check to see if the antenna plug is seated properly?

Also, you can check the "Diversity Amplifier" located on the left side of the boot, behind the carpet, along the fender/wheel well, for loose connections.

The antenna tuner module is located in that area also.

Will get on it as soon as it stops raining!!!! Thanks guys

 

[cj10jeeper]

You don't say if it's FM or MW that's the issue, or both.

The primary FM aerial is the one across the inside of the rear bumper cover. The one on the rear wing is for MW and under certain conditions FM. Based on if it's one or both will give you a head start.

Having checked the connections as Shipkiller suggests I'd be ensuring that aerial in the bumper cover is intact. It runs from LHS 1/2 way across the bumper cover.

Beyond these it's audio specialist to start checking signals, swapping in test aerial, checking headunit, etc.

 

[Hunter]

its everything, how do i access the aerial in the bumper? and where does it connect? Its not just the radio, its the TV also. Which aerial does this run off?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Well if it's everything, then I think you need to be looking to the points Shipkiller suggested and to the head unit.

Access to the bumper cover aerial is by removing the bumper cover. That's just a few clips and screws so a 10 minute job, but unless the bumper has been off recently to damage it then I se no reason for it to be damaged, especially as you indicate everything is poor reception.

No idea on the TV. It will be obsolete in a few months anyway if its the standard analogue, with the digital switcheover.

 

[Hunter]

Baffled. ... had the head unit out...all was plugged in and connected...took aerial lead out and stuck my finger in..no change. Put all that back together and moved on to the boot area. Pulled back carpet and checked all connections to both the boxes...all as should be. Moved outside...removed stubby and put in a long length of wire....No change....put stubby back in place. What next Guys????????

 

[Hunter]

UPDATE, on a run out today i manually tuned to a local FM station and heard a faint signal, so i got out and held the aerial and got a good strong signal. Does this mean my mangowalk 4" is at fault? I tried it with 2 other makes of 4" stubbies and the results where the same. Whats it all mean and any solutions?

 

[cj10jeeper]

UPDATE, on a run out today i manually tuned to a local FM station and heard a faint signal, so i got out and held the aerial and got a good strong signal. Does this mean my mangowalk 4" is at fault? I tried it with 2 other makes of 4" stubbies and the results where the same. Whats it all mean and any solutions?

Stick the OEM aerial back in and see what you get. Mangowalk and other similar are reported to give reception problems by some, even though it's supposed to use the rear bumper aerial for FM under most conditions

 

[Hunter]

Tried it, the signal IS better with the OEM but not by a fantastic amount.