Can't receive AM radio,please help
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=8113
Printed Date: June 02, 2024 at 6:49 PM
Topic: Can't receive AM radio,please help
Posted By: Dan M C
Subject: Can't receive AM radio,please help
Date Posted: January 13, 2003 at 10:21 PM
 I can't stand it anymore,i miss a lot of good shows on AM but since i installed my aftermarket cd player in my car....forget about it (as they said in Johny Brasco....Forget about it !),the car is a 1995 BMW 318i and i think when i installed my Nakamichi HU (cd 40z) something must have been left out,is it posible that the AM antenna needs to be powered up in order for it to work,the FM is great and i used the right adapter.Can someone tell me what to do,i know there are some wires that i did not use but i didn't think they were needed,what color wire do you guys think it may be,and does it need to be powered or not ?
Thank you ------------- Dan M C
Replies:
Posted By: auex
Date Posted: January 14, 2003 at 6:28 PM
No that is just the way it is. BMW and other european cars are horrible about am reception with an aftermarket deck. There is nothing that needs to be powered up. You can try checking the ground/sheild of the antenna, check the resistance from the actual antenna mast to the deck. If it shows alot of resistance then replace the antenna cable. You could also try grounding the sheild at the radio. If all else fails then you can try an amlified antenna, the one that metra offers works pretty good ( I think it is marketed for boats specifically). I feel for you, I wouldn't be able to work without Jim Rome in the morning , I'm a clone and proud of it.
-------------
Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.
I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.
Posted By: Dan M C
Date Posted: January 14, 2003 at 9:39 PM
 Thank you,and it's bad news..... ------------- Dan M C
Posted By: utsdist
Date Posted: January 15, 2003 at 12:30 AM
Try changing the connector (plug) on the antenna cable. If the unit that you removed was OEM and the antenna is also OEM and you had good AM reception then check the resistance of the antenna cable between the plug that goes into the radio and the connector at the antenna. In some cases, a resistor is installed (in-line) in the antenna cable, usually inside the plug. ------------- Michael T
Posted By: Dan M C
Date Posted: January 15, 2003 at 6:19 AM
 Thank you,i thought i saw 2 types of antenna cable adapters,the one i was recomended it's only a plug change type adapter,but i think there is another one with some kinda tube...maybe that's the one with the resistor in it.
Again,i apreciate your reply ------------- Dan M C
Posted By: Chris Luongo
Date Posted: January 15, 2003 at 5:19 PM
Aftermarket radios are kinda lousy on AM, but it should at least work a little bit. The antenna adapter with the tube is an amplified antenna adapter.....I've swapped in a few of these and I never heard back from the customer, so I figured it worked. I'd definitely try one of those.
Posted By: Dan M C
Date Posted: January 15, 2003 at 10:09 PM
 Thank you guys,i apreciate it. ------------- Dan M C
|