poor radio reception??

[Muffster]

Hi folks.
Iv'e just got a 2004 320d. The radio reception on the AM band is very poor or none existant so i can't tune into 5 live, talksport etc. Is this usual for BMW's? is there anything i can do?

Cheers

Muffster.

[Frances The Mute]

Check the antenna booster/amplifier behind the c-pillar trim. I think it's on the driver side in these.

The connections tend to work loose or become corroded over time etc. It could be that the booster has just packed up. It's easy to fix, regardless.

[Gunk]

If it is a touring you need to check the heated rear windscreen elements, where they touch the rubber seal on the tailgate they have a habit of breaking, the radio antenna is also incorperated in the heating elements.

[gizlaroc]

Same with the coupe, not sure if a saloon.

Rear window demister is the aerial, easy way to tell is get a poorly tuned station and turn on the rear demister, if it gets worse that is your culprit.

[tgr]

giz is right

[Muffster]

Excellent, thanks for that folks. i will have i look tomorrow and report back.
It's a saloon by the way.

Cheers.

Muffster.

[Muffster]

OK, i found the black box under the pillar trim.
First i had the radio on AM with a very poor reception, switched on the demister and there was a slight change in the quality of said crap reception.
So i switched to FM and, its spot on. I unplugged each of the 3 connectors on the little black box and it didn't do anything. The reception on FM still good, AM crap.
You may have guessed i'm no expert here but i thought unplugging the black box would be just like pulling the aerial on a tv, i.e. no reception.
So what next folks, any offers.

Cheers.

Muffster.

[gizlaroc]

Muffster said:

OK, i found the black box under the pillar trim.
First i had the radio on AM with a very poor reception, switched on the demister and there was a slight change in the quality of said crap reception.
So i switched to FM and, its spot on. I unplugged each of the 3 connectors on the little black box and it didn't do anything. The reception on FM still good, AM crap.
You may have guessed i'm no expert here but i thought unplugging the black box would be just like pulling the aerial on a tv, i.e. no reception.
So what next folks, any offers.

Cheers.

Muffster.

Still think it is your rear window.
If you're in a fairly good FM area the cable from the head unit to the black box will be enough to get a signal. Moving between areas where the FM changes will not work though, and AM will be crap.

You could get some wire and push it into the black box, ie pretending to be the rear window aerial, if you suddenly get AM you know that is it.
Think it has to be a loop.

You could actually just tuck said wire under the parcel shelf, if you get a reception, far cheaper than replacing the rear window.

[vetrof]

Had a similar problem on my E34, Did all the checks at the C pillar, didn't fix it. Turned out there was a wire disconnected at the head unit. Can't remember for sure, but I think it was a light blue power wire.

[Muffster]

gizlaroc said:

Still think it is your rear window.
If you're in a fairly good FM area the cable from the head unit to the black box will be enough to get a signal. Moving between areas where the FM changes will not work though, and AM will be crap.

You could get some wire and push it into the black box, ie pretending to be the rear window aerial, if you suddenly get AM you know that is it.
Think it has to be a loop.

You could actually just tuck said wire under the parcel shelf, if you get a reception, far cheaper than replacing the rear window.

Ok mate, where in the black box should i put a length of wire to try get a reception, to which of the 3 connections?
And any ideas why i get a perfect AM signal with the connections unplugged.
I'm counting on you fellow PH'ers! I can't bear to listen to Radio 1 for 5 hours at a time!
Cheers.

Muffster.