Poor radio reception

cMags · 01-16-2006, 01:12 PM

So nobody points me to the iaperformance thread '04 WRX/STi antenna wiring within + picture', I've already looked there and elswhere on the site and I have a different problem...

I have currently a fully stock 'upgraded' soundsystem with the 6-disc in-dash changer on my OBS. To get an aux-in on my system for an mp3 player, I used a Metra FM modulator hardwired into the antenna socket.

Sometime well after that install, and not anytime near any other electrical installs, I lost most of my radio reception. I can still get strong stations, but stations that once sounded strong are now not even picked up on a scan. And forget AM. There's nothing in the spectrum being picked up. Switching back to direct antenna feed doesn't help. But my mp3 player still is strong making it seem like it's not the modulator.

The only thing it seems like it could be is that the amplifier for the antenna (we have them in our scoobies, right? in one of the rear pillars?) isn't working right. Does anyone know where in an '05 wagon it is and how I could test it?

Thanks a bunch! (of

's hehe)

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

dougkmcse · 01-16-2006, 10:04 PM

The usual problem with this is the wire that goes to the antenna booster is not connected at the stereo. Unless it is the connection between the antenna and the stereo. First i would try disconnecting the modulator and reconnect the antenna. If thats fine tghen it would have to do with the way the modulator. I have an 04 sedan so i wouldn't know were they put the booster Good luck

cMags · 01-16-2006, 11:14 PM

Thanks for the suggestion, but I already tried that so it's not the modulator.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cMags

Switching back to direct antenna feed doesn't help. But my mp3 player still is strong making it seem like it's not the modulator.

Thanks again to everyone who's already read this but couldn't come up with anything.. I may have to have the dealer look at it..

Has anyone ever brought thier car in for the dealer to look at something electrical if they've done light electrical mods (i've got a bunch of toys hard-wired in to my system, like the fm modulator, an LCD for a computer, radar detector, CB radio, power inverter, phone charger, etc...) Would I need to pull all that stuff out before bringing the car in?

armand1 · 01-17-2006, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougkmcse

The usual problem with this is the wire that goes to the antenna booster is not connected at the stereo....

As doug suggested, first check that the wire powering the antenna amp is connected; this is by the HU.
As for the location of the antenna amp itself, I've heard it's in the C pillar right next to the antenna - you might try tracing the antenna lead.

cMags · 01-17-2006, 12:50 PM

Oops. I guess I'm guilty of mis-reading too. I'll check the power antenna wire coming out of the back of the head unit this weekend when I replace my head unit, but I don't see how it could have come out of the harness. (I would hope that wires falling out of harnesses isn't a common problem.)

Is the antenna a single wire or coax? Can I just try a simple continuity test from the clip in on the rear window (antenna's etched onto the glass) to the antenna connector behind the head unit? Or do I really have to pull up my panels and/or carpet to trace the antenna wire?

jblaze5579 · 01-17-2006, 01:10 PM

Is the device you have plugged into the modulator turned off?

cMags · 01-17-2006, 02:51 PM

Yes, I still get the problem when I have the FM modulator completely disconnected from the system. I would think that it's a problem with the antenna amplifier, but I don't know how to go about testing it.

Oh and WOOT! 100 posts!!

I heart Nabisco

cMags · 01-19-2006, 10:35 AM

bump for someone who might be able to help to see...

Monsito · 01-19-2006, 10:41 AM

Have you tinted your rear window recently? Some tints are metallic based and they interfere with the radio reception.

couchflambeau · 01-19-2006, 10:46 AM

It's a single wire from the window to the c-pillar, then coax (#174 I think) from the c-pillar to the connector......

Possibly you could open up the booster, find the spots on the board where the center conductor and ground solder in and do a front to back continuity test that way.....

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01-16-2006, 01:12 PM	#1
cMags Scooby Specialist Member#: 88668 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Lowell, MA Vehicle: '05 Outback Sport 5MT - Regal Blue / Grey	Poor radio reception - Please help!! So nobody points me to the iaperformance thread '04 WRX/STi antenna wiring within + picture', I've already looked there and elswhere on the site and I have a different problem... I have currently a fully stock 'upgraded' soundsystem with the 6-disc in-dash changer on my OBS. To get an aux-in on my system for an mp3 player, I used a Metra FM modulator hardwired into the antenna socket. Sometime well after that install, and not anytime near any other electrical installs, I lost most of my radio reception. I can still get strong stations, but stations that once sounded strong are now not even picked up on a scan. And forget AM. There's nothing in the spectrum being picked up. Switching back to direct antenna feed doesn't help. But my mp3 player still is strong making it seem like it's not the modulator. The only thing it seems like it could be is that the amplifier for the antenna (we have them in our scoobies, right? in one of the rear pillars?) isn't working right. Does anyone know where in an '05 wagon it is and how I could test it? Thanks a bunch! (of 's hehe) * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by cMags; 01-16-2006 at 03:00 PM.

01-16-2006, 10:04 PM	#2
dougkmcse Scooby Newbie Member#: 85938 Join Date: Apr 2005 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Bellingham Ma. Vehicle: 2004 WRX WRB	The usual problem with this is the wire that goes to the antenna booster is not connected at the stereo. Unless it is the connection between the antenna and the stereo. First i would try disconnecting the modulator and reconnect the antenna. If thats fine tghen it would have to do with the way the modulator. I have an 04 sedan so i wouldn't know were they put the booster Good luck

01-17-2006, 12:50 PM	#5
cMags Scooby Specialist Member#: 88668 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Lowell, MA Vehicle: '05 Outback Sport 5MT - Regal Blue / Grey	Oops. I guess I'm guilty of mis-reading too. I'll check the power antenna wire coming out of the back of the head unit this weekend when I replace my head unit, but I don't see how it could have come out of the harness. (I would hope that wires falling out of harnesses isn't a common problem.) Is the antenna a single wire or coax? Can I just try a simple continuity test from the clip in on the rear window (antenna's etched onto the glass) to the antenna connector behind the head unit? Or do I really have to pull up my panels and/or carpet to trace the antenna wire?

01-17-2006, 01:10 PM	#6
jblaze5579 Scooby Specialist Member#: 83473 Join Date: Mar 2005 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Argentina, SA	Is the device you have plugged into the modulator turned off?

01-17-2006, 02:51 PM	#7
cMags Scooby Specialist Member#: 88668 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Lowell, MA Vehicle: '05 Outback Sport 5MT - Regal Blue / Grey	Yes, I still get the problem when I have the FM modulator completely disconnected from the system. I would think that it's a problem with the antenna amplifier, but I don't know how to go about testing it. Oh and WOOT! 100 posts!! I heart Nabisco

01-19-2006, 10:35 AM	#8
cMags Scooby Specialist Member#: 88668 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Lowell, MA Vehicle: '05 Outback Sport 5MT - Regal Blue / Grey	bump for someone who might be able to help to see...

01-19-2006, 10:41 AM	#9
Monsito Scooby Specialist Member#: 40581 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Chicago Vehicle: 04 STi Blue	Have you tinted your rear window recently? Some tints are metallic based and they interfere with the radio reception.

01-19-2006, 10:46 AM	#10
couchflambeau Scooby Specialist Member#: 102145 Join Date: Dec 2005 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Virginia Vehicle: '04 STi/Cobb St. II 18L Java Black Pearl	It's a single wire from the window to the c-pillar, then coax (#174 I think) from the c-pillar to the connector...... Possibly you could open up the booster, find the spots on the board where the center conductor and ground solder in and do a front to back continuity test that way.....