FM Static

[putcha]

Recently got an aftermarket pioneer radio installed in my 05 4runner. Everything works well except for the FM transmission. My reception is a little chippy and its getting frustrating since I just dropped $600+ into a new audio system. I tried using an antenna adapter with no success. The most recent piece of advice I got was to bypass the factory antenna altogether and install an aftermarket. Can anyone confirm this? If so, please tell me what antenna to get.

Thanks.

 

[VA07]

Recently got an aftermarket pioneer radio installed in my 05 4runner. Everything works well except for the FM transmission. My reception is a little chippy and its getting frustrating since I just dropped $600+ into a new audio system. I tried using an antenna adapter with no success. The most recent piece of advice I got was to bypass the factory antenna altogether and install an aftermarket. Can anyone confirm this? If so, please tell me what antenna to get.

Thanks.

If you didn't have static with the previous head unit, you shouldn't have static with a new one. I would NOT go our and install an aftermarket antenna. My first step would be to check the antenna to make sure it is plugged in all the way and not loose. I would think you have already tried this, but I am just throwing it out there. The next step would be to check the ground. If the ground is loose, you can get engine noise coming in that will sound like static. If neither of those work, I would try plugging the factory unit back in and check to see if the static is still there. If not, there is something wrong with the head unit that you got. Return it.

 

[putcha]

Next Move

Thanks. I did not install it but running out of patience with Best Buy who did the install.

Thats going to be my next move. I also have satellite radio and someone had mentioned to turn that off while I'm running my FM, but again didn't have to do that before with the factory radio.

 

[VA07]

Don't cut BB any slack. I would take it back in a heart beat and let them know that you aren't leaving until the static is gone, and everything is working the way it should. Otherwise they can refund you all of your money, including the labor for the install that they couldn't complete correctly and any dash kit or wiring harness that you had to buy.

I have worked in that environment before. I worked at Circuit City before they started down hill and can tell you that some vehicles are a PITA. However, there is no reason that it should be your problem. That is why you paid for the install.

 

[ClockWork]

It's because the 4Runner uses a diversity antenna which actually has two leads that aftermarket HU's do not accept. There is a thread about it in the audio section somewhere talking about an adapter that can be purchased.

 

[putcha]

Tried it

I purchased the adapter and watched them install but no luck. Going to the store tomorrow and going to get this taken care of one way or the other. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[ClockWork]

Well then it's because you had re****ed BB bros install it.

 

[MikeInNH]

There are a couple of things to check.

The Antenna wire is either not installed properly or it was somehow damaged when they did install it.

Could also be a bad ground.

And last (but not least)...faulty Pioneer system.

This should NOT be happening. BB needs to take care of this. I installed a new unit (Kenwood) a few months ago....no problem what-so-ever.

As others have said...Stay away from Best Buy for things like this. They're techs are a joke.

 

[sonerick]

No antenna adapter needed. Just plug in the one antenna plug that fits the jack on the back of your new HU, leave the one that doesn't fit hanging and tape it up. You do however need to supply power to the proper antenna wire in the new HU's harness. Search through the audio forum, there's a thread there, I'm not remembering which wire it is at the moment.

EDIT: heres the thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/audio-electronics/16339-diversity-antenna-reception-fix-aftermarket-hu-4.html

READ THE WHOLE THING. It talks about the adapter at first, then goes into why the adapter is not needed and all you need to do is supply power to the new HU's antenna lead.

 

[krupnation]

You still listen to the radio? (said with much sarcasm )

 

[Carl_G]

Well then it's because you had re****ed BB bros install it.

??? What does this mean??

 

[DC runner]

I think he is implying that installers at Best Buy are not very good at what they do.

The reality is, well, different. I knew some people who eon's ago, while in HS and College, works at Best Buy as installers and they were very good. Best Buy pays for training and you get the hang of it.


But... lets be honest, any time you pay someone to work on YOUR property you take a risk. Ownership builds concern, and if you don't own something, you don't care. This is true of all forms of property. People destroy rental cars while babying their own. The difference psychologically between home ownership and rental is immense.

I digress. The point. You are paying some person to install a head unit. Have you ever done that? It is a pain in the bed, regardless. It seems more and more complex every year. Newer cars are just so damn complex... you have to spend an hour of fine, detailed work, to even get the dash off to get to the bay.

Imagine doing this.. all day.. every day.. to cars that you don't actually care about. I don't care if you are a local or chain installer. At some point you are bound to have people who have a bad day or bad night and just DO NOT care.

 

[Carl_G]

I think he is implying that installers at Best Buy are not very good at what they do.

The reality is, well, different. I knew some people who eon's ago, while in HS and College, works at Best Buy as installers and they were very good. Best Buy pays for training and you get the hang of it.


But... lets be honest, any time you pay someone to work on YOUR property you take a risk. Ownership builds concern, and if you don't own something, you don't care. This is true of all forms of property. People destroy rental cars while babying their own. The difference psychologically between home ownership and rental is immense.

I digress. The point. You are paying some person to install a head unit. Have you ever done that? It is a pain in the bed, regardless. It seems more and more complex every year. Newer cars are just so damn complex... you have to spend an hour of fine, detailed work, to even get the dash off to get to the bay.

Imagine doing this.. all day.. every day.. to cars that you don't actually care about. I don't care if you are a local or chain installer. At some point you are bound to have people who have a bad day or bad night and just DO NOT care.

I agree. It doesn't matter which store does it, you will come across proficient people and "not so proficient" ones.

Clockwork using a derogatory term to describe people working at a certain store is unfair, ESP. a term which refers to people with mental issues which are beyond their control.

Yes Clockwork, I take offense to a lot of your posts and will challenge them when/if necessary.

 

[putcha]

Yowsah

Take it easy everyone. Stopped at BB today and they are going to replace my pioneer HU with a Sony. I'm crossing my fingers. This definately seems like the last option.

 

[NJshadow93]

I went through something similar. I had gotten a Kenwood head unit at PC Richards. It worked for about 2 weeks, then the iPod connection kept getting static and when trying to use the Bluetooth, nobody could understand what I was saying. I took it back, and PC Richards replaced it with the same model. It worked well for a month, then just died. They replaced it with a Pioneer, and 2 months later, it's perfect. My point: don't go away until you get what you paid for. That's the good thing about buying and getting professionally installed equipment, they need to back the product.

 

[zerowkul98]

My 2 cents:

1.) the OEM headunit has 2 antenna inputs. Like Krup has showed me, you can order a $5 adapter and 2-to-1 cable that will take both antenna wires and feed them together (ive done this on the Scion HU i installed w his assistance).

2.) isnt Clockwork supposedly a past-member that was banned under his original handle?

 

[putcha]

Final Stand

So I BB replaced pioneer HU with a Sony. The sony is a very nice radio. It streams pandora which is sweet. Pandora, satellite radio, hands free calling, all crystal clear...FM not! UGH! Going to get a metra antenna installed on winsdshield. If that doesn't work, I'm out. Back to factory system. I don't have time or the patience. Thanks for everyone looking out.

 

[sonerick]

Did you provide power to the antenna lead on the aftermarket harness? This could be causing your problem.

There's clearly a problem with the install, since both new head units fail to pick up FM clearly. People swap new head units into 4th Gen 4Runners all the time with no issues, so I highly doubt that an aftermarket antenna is needed.

 

[zerowkul98]

Power to that wah? The huh?

Look, i dont know if this helps, but this is how i handled my 1-to-2 antenna problem (thanks to Krup).

I bought the 2-to-1 harness from Amazon plus the adapter that solves the 2-different-size-male-ends on the antenna inputs.

I havent had a problem with static at all, AND i get Boston radio stations all the way in Palmer, MA. on the Mass Pike!

 

[MikeInNH]

The reality is, well, different. I knew some people who eon's ago, while in HS and College, works at Best Buy as installers and they were very good. Best Buy pays for training and you get the hang of it.

The problem with Best Buy is their business model. Your friend was probably very good...but that doesn't mean ALL Best Buy's will have qualified installers. I personally know the installer at the Best Buy closest to me. He went to school with my son. He's NOT the sharpest knife in the drawer. Best Buy will find the most qualified person at the LOWEST cost.

I did my own install. It's pretty easy. But if I couldn't do it...I'd go to a place that specializes in Auto sound systems. There are a couple places like that near me. 1-2 person shop. The owner does most of the installs. Been around for 20+ years. Much higher probability of getting a GOOD install from a place like this..then Best Buy.

May not have to worry about this in the future. Best Buy (and companies like them) are a dying bread. Best Buy is just barely hanging on. Many predict they'll be out of business by the end of this year or next.