My radio will only pick up a few stations. When I went to make sure the antenna amp was hooked up I noticed that there was only 1 screw holding the cover on. Looking further I noticed that things inside had been soldered. I think that the po screwed this thing up.

What is a good way to fix this. I was going to go to radio shack and buy an antenna booster but they don't have any. Any ideas?

Bryan
86 951

 

Every car I've owned has had either a totally screwed radio installation or an AM-only radio, this includes my 951.

While the rest of the car has been kept in excellent condition, the radio doesn't use any type of factory wiring and is a cut and splice job.

If it plays, you can really only check the antenna hookup on the back of the radio. The antenna wire is the thick black one that looks almost like an RCA cable.

If thats hooked in snugly, you can check the connection at the windshield (Not sure how, you'll have to trace it back). However when I had my radio in the car it didn't pick up many stations, it could just be that the antenna in the window idea just sucks.

I'm really not sure where to look, but a rewire probably isn't going to be easy. You can probably go to a BMW or VW dealership to find out about the antenna boosters they use on their cars.

 

If you have an aftermarket radio...

Check to see if your factory antanna amp is powered! It is a FUBA module, usually would run like $200. A quality piece of electronics to compensate for the garbage antanna...

I forget which wire it is behind the radio, someone graciously helped me out with that about a year ago, I had the radio shack thing in there instead (PO) and it SUCKED in comparison, now I have both workin fer me.

Someone know which wire it is that powers that thing?

 

jeez, only 800 more posts to go before "stardom"!

 

The signal boost power wire is the little black wire wrapped with the antenna cable. It has a small white plug on the end unless your PO cut it off. I tiny male spade connector fits perfect and will prevent you having to cut the wiring harness.

 

There is a black wire that runs inside of the same coating as the antenna. Is that the power supply for it? How would I check to see if it was powered? I know that the wire is hooked up.

Bryan

 

yay now i know whats wrong with mine! I was lucky to not have a cut up radio system and used the harness kit crutchfield makes, I must have forgotten the antenna power connection however...

Thanks PSU

 

You answered my question before I even finished typing it. By looking at the wiring you would think that the po was Edward Scissorhands <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> so retaining anything is not the problem at this point. I already had to test everywire just to hook up the speakers.

Bryan