’04 Explorer, New H.U./ Bad Reception
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=21569
Printed Date: July 06, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Topic: ’04 Explorer, New H.U./ Bad Reception
Posted By: wsybert
Subject: ’04 Explorer, New H.U./ Bad Reception
Date Posted: November 16, 2003 at 8:41 PM
Just installed a new JVC CD/MP3 unit in an '04 Explorer. Had the unit in an '02 F250 and all was fine. After the install in the Explorer, the radio reception is terrible (almost non existent). Any ideas?? I double checked, the antenna was plugged in completely. Thanks for any info. Bill
Replies:
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: November 16, 2003 at 8:56 PM
Is the antenna in the glass?
Posted By: wsybert
Date Posted: November 17, 2003 at 11:42 AM
The antenna is not in the glass. Do I need a special connector to adapt the factory antenna cable? It seemed to fit just fine and look pretty standard. It just acts like there is not antenna there at all. Another note: The factory wiring harness has two plugs. The one has all the power and speaker connections. Not sure what the other was for. It only has two wires on it. Could the antenna be grounded with the other plug? Thanks
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: November 17, 2003 at 3:54 PM
Put the factory radio back in and check it's reception.
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Posted By: wsybert
Date Posted: November 17, 2003 at 4:38 PM
The OE radio was working fine and had good reception just prior to removing it.
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: November 17, 2003 at 4:49 PM
I would do what forbidden suggested, put back in the factory radio. If it works I would go to your local auto parts store and get a cheap antenna to use to test your new aftermarket head unit. If the auto parts store antenna dose not work on your new cd player then you have a bad unit.
Posted By: wsybert
Date Posted: November 17, 2003 at 4:54 PM
i'll try it, but i am just reinstalling the JVC from another vehicle and it woked fine there... Maybe the question I should ask is if there is anything different about the new ford antennas? and what the two wires on the other plug that came out of the factory unit are for?
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: November 17, 2003 at 5:12 PM
So you put the JVC from the Explorer in another vehicle and it gets radio reception, am I correct?
Posted By: wsybert
Date Posted: November 17, 2003 at 5:34 PM
I had the JVC in a '02 Ford F250 and it worked great, radio and all. I put it in the '04 Explorer and the reception is bad.
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: November 17, 2003 at 5:47 PM
I understand that you used to use it in an f250. But have you tested the jvc to see if it works since you installed it in the explorer? I'm not sure what the 2 extra wires do but they could supply a 12 volt to the antenna module if your vehicle is equipped with one. Normally you have the module if the antenna is in the glass. I would plug your oem radio back in, and leave the harness with 2 wires disconnected and see if it affects the radio reception that would tell you allot. If you do not get radio reception with that 2 wire harness disconnected then it will need to be supplied with a 12 volt.
Posted By: wsybert
Date Posted: November 17, 2003 at 7:14 PM
I just installed it and assumed all was well. I think you are right about the antenna module. The other plug seems to do nothing, b/c everything else works with the unit. I am sure it has a purpose. I will let you know my findings. Thanks everyone for all of the input. Bill
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