V8V - poor radio reception
Discussion
My recently purchased 2006 Vantage has the premium sound upgrade, but the radio is really poor quality...it seems to struggle to find and hold a station...with plenty of static interference if there's anything less than a perfect signal. I'm guessing that there may be a loose connection (either at the back of the unit - though I haven't been brave enough to start pulling the dash to bits), or elsewhere.
Is this a common problem and can anyone suggest anything I should check?
Thanks
Is this a common problem and can anyone suggest anything I should check?
Thanks
Yep, I get the same problems on my MY10.
MW is OK, but FM reception is awful. It can't seem to hold onto a Radio 1 signal for more than a few miles, and the annoying thing is if I program the various different frequencies for R1 into different memories, it sets them all the same! So if I lose signal on 97.4 (for eg) I can't quickly go to 99.1, like I've done with other cars with poor reception.
I don't get "static" as such, though. It just loses the signal, mutes, then tries to retune to another station (usually plumping for BBC Radio Berkshire!).
People complain about the satnav, but the radio gives more cause for complaint IMO.
MW is OK, but FM reception is awful. It can't seem to hold onto a Radio 1 signal for more than a few miles, and the annoying thing is if I program the various different frequencies for R1 into different memories, it sets them all the same! So if I lose signal on 97.4 (for eg) I can't quickly go to 99.1, like I've done with other cars with poor reception.
I don't get "static" as such, though. It just loses the signal, mutes, then tries to retune to another station (usually plumping for BBC Radio Berkshire!).
People complain about the satnav, but the radio gives more cause for complaint IMO.
johnnyBv8 said:
Hmm, not alone then! A bit ridiculous on a car of this quality. I wonder if it would be possible to fit a signal booster..
Something I've often wondered myself...! Must be possible I'd have thought. Actually, I always supposed the later cars had worse reception than the earlier ones due to the lack of an external aerial, but obviously not!
johnnyBv8 said:
Hmm, not alone then! A bit ridiculous on a car of this quality. I wonder if it would be possible to fit a signal booster..
It shouldn't need one - mine's fine (07 car), so it's possible for them to work. You need to find the source of the problem IMO.I think the tuner itself is above one of the rear wheel arches (you access it through the wheel well).
Incidentally, 08MY cars onwards have the aerial in the screen. Earlier cars on the roof. If a few different age cars are having the same sort of issue I wonder if the problem might therefore be at the tuner end. Perhaps the connector has worked loose (can't believe they'd be subject to dirt ingress as there's an arch liner and a panel in the way...but I suppose stranger things could happen).
krisdelta said:
I have no problem with Radio 1 (yes I am that hip 
), but Capital is a perrenial issue with reception. I think the aerial isn't the best. I have found deleting / restoring the station (by holding down the appropriate number button) speeds it up again. Weirdness indeed.
Thanks for that tip. Re-tuned my Capital stations last night and now there's no delay the station comes on immediately - very wierd. ), but Capital is a perrenial issue with reception. I think the aerial isn't the best. I have found deleting / restoring the station (by holding down the appropriate number button) speeds it up again. Weirdness indeed. v8woollie said:
I haven't turned the radio on in mine yet. I listen to the exhaust soundtrack and haven't tired of it yet 
Well OK I did turn it on and the reception seems fine.
Same here ..... but turn it off every time i accelarate Well OK I did turn it on and the reception seems fine.
I may even connect the mute button to the exhaust valve overide switch
krisdelta said:
I have no problem with Radio 1 (yes I am that hip ), but Capital is a perrenial issue with reception. I think the aerial isn't the best. I have found deleting / restoring the station (by holding down the appropriate number button) speeds it up again. Weirdness indeed.
So glad I found this post......until reading it I was convinced that I had an antenna or bigger problem as my FM stations were taking 3-5 seconds to lock on whenever I changed presets....I just reset the stations by holding the buttons down and now all is fine! ), but Capital is a perrenial issue with reception. I think the aerial isn't the best. I have found deleting / restoring the station (by holding down the appropriate number button) speeds it up again. Weirdness indeed. Oh the wonders of the Internet and forums such as this without which I would have been off to the dealer!
Hopefully I can shed some light on your problem. I've had the same issue with a 2013 Vantage S in that the radio signal was so poor there was pretty no much point in using it. After a few trips to my local Aston dealer and not accepting there wasn't an issue I am pleased to say they have fixed the problem. It came down to the tracker in the vehicle causing interference. As soon as it was disconnected from the vehicle it solved the problem. They are now upgrading it to the new Cobra tracker which will hopefully not cause the same problem.
To give you confidence that it can be a nice reception on the radio, mine is great and really makes the Premium audio good. I also fitted a DAB radio too, that takes it up a notch and makes it even better sounding
Another check would be replacing the sting aerial on the roof (cheap), and then the aerial receiver/decoder box which I think is quite expensive.
Another check would be replacing the sting aerial on the roof (cheap), and then the aerial receiver/decoder box which I think is quite expensive.
W1111AM said:
hashluck said:
I have the Cobra Tracking but still think in general the radio reception is poor
You're the later dash fascia right? Is the radio unit the same equipment?The DAB is pretty much unusable as it keeps dropping out and FM is racked by interference sometimes but a better bet. Overall it is the most disappointing aspect of the car so far.
hashluck said:
W1111AM said:
hashluck said:
I have the Cobra Tracking but still think in general the radio reception is poor
You're the later dash fascia right? Is the radio unit the same equipment?The DAB is pretty much unusable as it keeps dropping out and FM is racked by interference sometimes but a better bet. Overall it is the most disappointing aspect of the car so far.
Sorry to hear that!
I loooove my DAB
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