Fm help. Aerial / antenna location

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
Ever since I fitted my carplay/androidauto system I've lost FM on the standard radio. Hasn't really bothered me as I use tunein radio on the app.
I'm going to the top gear filming on Wednesday and need FM to hear the broadcast so need to sort it. (I'll probably take a hand held radio anyway to save car battery)

I've looked behind the head unit and all appears to be plugged in. There doesn't seem to be a dedicated aerial connection, so assume it's part of the multiplug.

Does anyone know the location of the aerial itself?
Or anything else I might have disturbed while fitting the system and rear camera?

A fast reply would be appreciated, as I'm sitting in the car now. :mock8:
 

StuartW

Member
Messages
9,306
I believe it's located somewhere around the parcel shelf with the aerial amplifier in the roof lining - both nice and easy to reach no doubt
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
Thanks both.
I did mess about on the parcel shelf at the same time, as I was attempting to disconnect my tracker. Maybe I've knocked something there.

I'll also see if I can access the back of the NIT from underneath, don't fancy taking the dash out again, just for that :rolleyes:

Edit.. The NIT is the head unit that comes out with the two prong tools yeah? I've looked behind there, nothing untoward and no obvious aerial lead/coax etc
 

Keano

Member
Messages
287
On the QP5 there is an FM box on either side of the parcel shelf and the rear window has a both heated elements and FM aerial element which are delicate. Pics attached from when i had my rear window resealed/reseated as the glue had failed. I am guessing it is similar for the GT but may be wrong
 

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Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
Thanks keno, photos help.

Cheers cat, OK so I have got two coax and they are connected. I've removed and reseated them. No change.

So according to that diagram, one is AM/ fm1 and one fm2.
AM, fm1 and fm2 all don't work. 74899
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,539
I don't think it actually means one is for FM band and 1 is for FM band 2. Rather it works out where the best signal is from and that drives both. So looks like you need to trace it back to the amplifier, indeed

C
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
I don't think it actually means one is for FM band and 1 is for FM band 2. Rather it works out where the best signal is from and that drives both. So looks like you need to trace it back to the amplifier, indeed

C

OK cheers. Parcel shelf out again :rolleyes:
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
F61 in the boot is for the antenna amplifiers, but that's still good and 12v on both sides of it.

Looks like I'll be looking at whether I've disturbed something around the parcel shelf area. :rolleyes: that can wait till another day.
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,071
If it’s anything like the BMW systems I’ve worked on the amplifiers work off separate aerials in the rear screen and the unit decides which of those has best reception.

On E39s when one of the amplifiers fails you loose all radio even though you’d think the other aerial would work. So you may have only knocked one unit.

Assuming the Italians and Germans do things the same.
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,539
If it’s anything like the BMW systems I’ve worked on the amplifiers work off separate aerials in the rear screen and the unit decides which of those has best reception.

On E39s when one of the amplifiers fails you loose all radio even though you’d think the other aerial would work. So you may have only knocked one unit.

Assuming the Italians and Germans do things the same.

Useful to know!

C
 

StuartW

Member
Messages
9,306
Just take the handheld radio Sam, it's bound to drain your battery during the filming and the last thing you want is the dreaded clicking when everyone is waiting for the lovely V8 burble when you leave!

I went to a drive in movie a few years ago and there were at least 3 cases of AA & RAC in attendance from the screening before us, trying to fire up some stranded cars!
 

Sam McGoo

Member
Messages
1,745
I assume the two aerial plugs cannot be mixed up, that's if they have been disconnected of coure?

They had been disconnected, but are colour coded, so are in the right places.
Thanks for the suggestion though :thumb3:
 

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