Problem with XM reception after install

[NAdams65]

I recently installed an XM set-up in my new 4Runner.
I purchased a 12v outlet and spliced it into the wires from one of the 12v outlets in the console. I was able to ground/mount the outlet within the console which led to a clean installed look and kept the 2 outlets in the console free for other stuff.
The antenna is a magnetic type that is hard-wired to the XM receiver. I placed it on the roof in the upper righthand corner by
the windshield. I ran the wire under the window seal down to the door and then inside under the passenger side dash to the console. Okay...so at this point I'm pretty pleased with myself
because I have power and the antenna wire installed and it looks pretty good. This XM unit uses FM modulation so I tuned my stereo to the same channel the XM was set on and.....nothing but static.
After trouble-shooting everything I'm left wondering what I'm missing. The only thing I can think of is that the 4Runner has a built-in stereo antenna that is interferring with the XM antenna signal....does this sound plausable? If so, where should I mount the XM antenna? As usual....thanks in advance!

Nate

 

[NAdams65]

Wow....35 views and no feedback?

Help a brother out....I can't live without my XM!!

Thanks....

Nate

 

[Roberte]

There's three different ways to get your XM signal to your Head Unit (HU).

- install the "FM out" antenna wire that broadcasts your FM signal from your XM unit
- install an FM modulator that intercepts your regular FM antenna and plugs into your antenna port on your HU. It takes the signal from your "FM out" out and overrides any signal on the channel it is set to. (What I did)
- install a wire from your "audio out" port on your XM unit to an input on your HU.

Sounds like you skipped this step on your install. You're gonna have to do a little research as to which is best and applicable to the radio you have in your truck. Reception-wise, I've listed them from worst to best.. I went w/ the second simply because I have an early JBL system and the third is not an option.

Hope this helps.

 

[NAdams65]

Thanks Roberte.....

Could I run a line from the Audio Out on the XM to AUX jack in the
console?

 

[Roberte]

Thanks Roberte.....

Could I run a line from the Audio Out on the XM to AUX jack in the
console?

I would say yes as others appear to have done that. This wasn't an option on mine 'cause that input wasn't available in '03. Just double check the setting on your XM unit that it's set for audio out and you'll probably want to turn off the FM settings.

 

[NAdams65]

Thanks again....

I'll need to buy a cord to run to the AUX jack as I can't seem to locate one in my leftover XM stuff. Hopefully I will be listening to
the Grateful Dead channel by this afternoon.

Nate

 

[SubSonic]

The direct connection to the AUX IN port would be a better way to go than FM transmission, if you want to take up the AUX IN with your sat radio (if you don't use an MP3 player, etc).

But you should still have gotten some noise over FM transmission. Yes, 4Runners have built-in antenni, they're in the back 2 side windows. But it sounds to me like you either didn't have FM transmission properly enabled in the XM tuner, had mismatched the FM transmission channel, or the FM transmitter in the XM unit is too weak to get a signal to the 4Runner's FM antenna. I assume that your XM radio fired up properly and you could tell that it was getting a proper signal from the antenna and was actually 'playing'?