2011 9-3 radio - poor reception

[flashgit]

I just changed cars to a 2011 (2012 facelift) 9-3 SE Saloon and have found that I am getting poor reception on FM channels. I get a lot of crackling and significant complete silence on my regular commute between Reading and Feltham. Until a couple of weeks ago I was driving a MB E320 CDI (2006) without any such problems.

Wonder if anyone knows of this model of Saab is prone to such issues and how they can be overcome.

Thanks

[RedLeicester]

Do you have a phone charger or similar plugged in to a 12v socket? I found my reception in my '08 9-3 went completely to pot until I unplugged it

[flashgit]

Mr Leicester,
It turns out that my car has the same problem. So now I have the short term workaround - unplug the SatNav/Phone/iDevice/other electronic equipment (delete as appropriate). Now I'd like to find out the long term fix to this crazy situation.

The search continues ....

[RedLeicester]

I can only think that in stripping everything out to "save money" the beancounters forgot to put a decent ground on the 12V lines. Really annoying.

[flashgit]

I've been doing a bit more interweb research, and it seems that on the later cars this is a common problem, so your beancounter comment may be on the mark.

I am going to do some "in car" investigation to see if I can figure out a fix.