Greetings

I am hoping for some insight on a problem I am having with my '88 S4 A/T wife's daily driver. There is an old cell phone in it (ALPINE) that recently quit working.

It lights up, it shows the last number dialed and then shows "No Service" in the window. I first thought it might be a problem with the account but I called the provider (AT&T) and they said no problem with the bill, so the service is not restricted in any way. Then their tech support tried to help, but seemingly they were not getting a signal from the phone so it is obviously not sending one. This phone was installed at the dealership when the car was delivered to its original owner, so it is 15 years old and probably cost $!000 or so when new. It has a funny looking antenna that just attaches to the inside of the rear side glass with nothing outside the car. Just this 2 inch square stuck on the inside of the window with a cable going to the main control box.

Anyone have any idea how I can make this unit work again? Should I take it to a repair facility, assuming I can find one? This is an analog phone and I cannot buy parts for it. As a matter of fact, AT&T gave me a tech support phone number for Alpine and when I called it, they told me "they don't make phone, or mobile phones or cell phones and they have no idea how to help me, have a nice day, and..don't call here anymore....." So much for that.

I suppose the alternative is to just replace the phone with a new digital one and get it mounted in the car. (she loses the ones that are not attached... don't tell her I told that here)

Anyway, I would appreciate any thoughts about resolving this situation.

Thanks in advance

Cheers


Joe Ferguson

'88 S4 A/T Black/Cashmere (her driver)...incommunicado for now
'83 Euro S 5sp Pewter/Black (My usual project)

 

What model is it, might be possible to find a similar one and replace the broken parts. I'd try and see if the signal booster (there probably is one) for the antenna is working.

 

Usually there is a antenna outside the car that is directly across from the square part that is on the inside glass.......the signal is passed through the glass without a hole. Without the antenna I don't think it would work very well if at all......but then again you said it just stopped working......hmmmm.

 

From my knowledge of c-phones don't get rid of your analog. The new digital ones do not have as strong a reception as analog. On the flip side, however, no caller ID and other "new features".

 

From my knowledge of c-phones don't get rid of your analog. The new digital ones do not have as strong a reception as analog. On the flip side, however, no caller ID and other "new features".

 

Sounds like you have everything leading up to it, but your antennae is missing.

 

Soontobe Red

Yes, you might be right that my antenna is missing, but if so, the phone has been working fine without that external part for the last 4 years. It just stopped working recently.

Snag84sa

I agree. The analog phone is 3watts output, but the digital ones are only about .5 watts, but the providers do not have any support for the analog phones anymore and they have really bad rate plans. Even so, if I could get this old phone working I would still keep it on the old plan.

MIke N.
Yep, it was working for several years with no outside antenna. I don't think that is the problem.

Sweanders,

I would not even know where to begin to find spare parts. After Alpine said they did not make cell phones, I knew I was in trouble.



Thank you guys for your suggestions. I appreciate the support.

Cheers

JF

 

Alpine may not have actually made the phone. They may have just put their name and label on it. It may actually be a Motorola or an Ericcson. Good Luck

 

Joe,

I would locate the outside antenna portion and install it. It is probably a generic part available from any cell phone store, radio shaack or ebay.

It's unlikely but possible that your cell provider recently changed tower locations from one that was near you. Without the whole antenna you were still able to get a signal before because those old phones were more powerful. Also check the connections between the phone and the antenna to make sure they are tight.

Dave Sz
1988 S4
1980 Euro S

 

Joe,
I have the same phone in a MBZ and if you hit (F) for function and (0) on the key pad it will give you a signal bar graph. You need at least three bars for the phone to work properly. I would have to agree that you are missing the antenna that is suppose to be on the outside of the window. Mine has a trunk mount antenna due to the convertible top and when I unscrew it for the car wash my signal bars drop off significantly but I can still use it SOMETIMES.
If you need parts I have a spare AlPINE phone that is complete and works fine.

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Blown Beast
I followed your instructions and the phone is only showing one bar. So I will visit my local radio shack and get an antenna to see if that helps. I appreciate the parts offer. I will see what happens with outside antenna. I also checked all the connection and all seem clean and tight.

Dave Sz
I am taking you two guys advice and getting the antenna to see what happens. You might be right and a tower was removed or redirected and now my formerly marginal signal is not enough to work at all.

Cheers

JF

'88 S4 A/T Black/Cashmere (Her Driver) Still incommunicado....
'83 Euro S 5sp Pewter/Black (my project) Loud as ever

 

Another question about this subject for you folks knowledgeable about cell phones.

I looked for a replacement antenna yesterday and found a couple of options. If I merely replace the outside antenna with a new one, will I need to replace the old cable with the new one that comes with the new antenna or can I leave what's there already and simply stick on the new antenna?

Thanks in advance.

JF

 

Hi Joe,

I would simply attach the outside antenna and then see if there is any change in reception. If not then proceed to swap the inside attachment and cable.

Dave Sz
1988 S4
1980 Euro S

 

Dave,

Thanks, I will give it a try later today.

JF