Poor Radio Reception

[claydoctor]

Haven't been on the forum in awhile . My 2006 Sport V6 is hanging in there at 236K . Recently, however , I have noticed less than great radio reception . FM isn't too bad but AM is awful once I leave the metropolitan area . My wife's 2014 Mazda CX-5 picks the station up just fine . Stopped in Audio shop today and asked if they had any ideas on boosting signal . The fellow said that these antennas in the rear side window tend to degrade over time and sometimes need to be replaced . Dealer wants $311 for the antenna , which apparently attaches to the glass rather than being in the glass . I'd hate to put out $311 only to find out that wasn't the problem . Anyone have a similar issue or have any suggestions .

 

[claydoctor]

BTW , I can find little or nothing online about the window antennas .Nothing on Youtube . Plenty about power antennas , nothing about window antenna problems .

 

[CO_Fletch]

I had a similar issue on my wife's '05 GX470. One night while reading a post about removing a radio, I realized there is a jack on the back for the antenna connection and decided to check that first. I got lucky and found that the jack was not fully seated. If I remember correctly, there is a jack for AM and one for FM. It's kind of a pain to take everything apart to check but the price can't be beat! If that doesn't work, you could buy a cheap aftermarket whip and connect it to test if a new antenna fixes the issue before dropping $300

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[Slowgoat]

There is a signal booster in there. I wonder if the wire to it is loose. First rough in of my aftermarket stereo install, I had this issue. Found some threads on this site describing this exact issue, plugged everything in the right way, and no problems with FM radio ever since.

 

[wc11]

I'm assuming you have the original oem radio?
Tuners can fail with age although extremely rare.
Antenna's don't "degrade" over time. It's a wire sandwiched between 2 sheets of glass. He's just trying to sell you an antenna which when it doesn't fix it, he'll try to sell you a new radio.

 

[claydoctor]

I'm assuming you have the original oem radio?
Tuners can fail with age although extremely rare.
Antenna's don't "degrade" over time. It's a wire sandwiched between 2 sheets of glass. He's just trying to sell you an antenna which when it doesn't fix it, he'll try to sell you a new radio.

It is the factory OEM radio for a 2006 Sport . He's not trying to sell me anything other than an installation of the antenna , which I would get from the dealer . He thought like you that it is between two pieces of glass and I would have to replace the glass . Dealer say it is not within the glass but layered on top of it , which you can feel if you run your fingers over it .

 

[AZ07Runner]

Sorry...I just had to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5f_gbzo4Q0

 

[claydoctor]

Did find some videos showing removal of the radio , thinking I might at least check connections . Man ! Whatever happened to just popping the head unit out ? They look like they were dismantling the car , taking apart the console and parts of the dash . Not a job for me .

 

[wc11]

It is the factory OEM radio for a 2006 Sport . He's not trying to sell me anything other than an installation of the antenna , which I would get from the dealer . He thought like you that it is between two pieces of glass and I would have to replace the glass . Dealer say it is not within the glass but layered on top of it , which you can feel if you run your fingers over it .

I had a look at my Runner last night and yes it's adhered to the glass.
But as I said, a static antenna doesn't "degrade". I might understand the loop being cut but then how that would happen inside is beyond me.

Anyway, there are a plethora of aftermarket am antennas.
There's no reason an audio retailer can't just plug one into the radio to see if your reception improves before spending large sums of money.

In fact, this is the route I would take. Spend a few bucks yourself and give it a try. I would never consider a whole glass replacement for the sake of AM.

example:
https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=automotive&field-keywords=am+antenna

 

[claydoctor]

I had a look at my Runner last night and yeas it's adhered to the glass.
But as I said, a static antenna doesn't "degrade. I might understand the loop being cut but then how that would happen inside is beyond me.

Anyway, there are a plethora of aftermarket am antennas.
There's no reason an audio retailer can't just plug one into the radio to see if your reception improves before spending large sums of money.

In fact, this is the route I would take. Spend a few bucks yourself and give it a try. I would never consider a whole glass replacement for the sake of AM.

example:
https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=automotive&field-keywords=am+antenna

Thanks for the advice . Agree most AM is crap, most FM too for that matter, but some days I like to listen to Rush.

 

[kung fu jesus]

I have used one of these in another vehicle with good success. Might be worth looking into.

RetroSound HPA-1 antenna Amplified hideaway antenna at Crutchfield.com

 

[V8Man]

I had the same problem and found my antenna was unplugged from the back of the head unit.

 

[claydoctor]

I have used one of these in another vehicle with good success. Might be worth looking into.

RetroSound HPA-1 antenna Amplified hideaway antenna at Crutchfield.com

Thanks. Seemed like good fix but got really mixed reviews on Crutchfield's site

 

[Starman52]

Not sure where your antenna is , but if its in the rear window the antenna wire goes through that boot near the hinge. Over time the opening and closing of the rear hatch can break any one of those wires in the boot. My old Subaru Outback was famous for that weak link.

 

[claydoctor]

I think I have isolated some of the problem . I have one of those add-on Satellite receivers that plays through an FM channel . AM reception improves if I turn off the satellite radio . Better but not great . Thanks .

 

[Bluesky 07]

You can have the radio out in 15 minutes. It's not as hard or complicated as it seems. I've got Crutchfield's MasterSheet instructions that cover the HU as well as door speaker installation for front and rear. I'll scan it and send it to you if it would be helpful, just lmk.

Did find some videos showing removal of the radio , thinking I might at least check connections . Man ! Whatever happened to just popping the head unit out ? They look like they were dismantling the car , taking apart the console and parts of the dash . Not a job for me .

 

[mizak82]

I'd check the plug. If that doesn't fix it. Buy a satellite radio.


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