AM Reception problem.

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Oct 28, 2006 | 07:30 AM

paulroad

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AM Reception problem.

The radio is good, however AM Sucks, big time static, etc. (FM is fine.)

How can I daignose what the problem is without taking down the headliner and looking at the base, the wire the diversity switch etc. (I have a VAG)

Oct 28, 2006 | 07:53 AM

Trango

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Has it always been this way? Are you running metallic tint?

Oct 28, 2006 | 07:56 AM

4Rings4Ever

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Re: AM Reception problem.

Mine is also horrible since I bought the car. Someone suggested the Antenna may be at fault, have GPS base 7mm friend is bringing over a few antennas to try including Honda s2000. Will let you know. Use my Sat radio for news and sports.

Oct 28, 2006 | 10:24 AM

paulroad

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Its not the antenna mast...

as even stock or stubby or Honda, etc. it still sucks. It started about 4 months ago. I don't have tint.

It could be the base, it could be the diversity/switch set up. I just want to track it before I open up the headliner.

If you hit the door's lock button, you hear the elecrical surge on the AM.

Oct 28, 2006 | 12:00 PM

audiallroadin'

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I just replaced my base so I'm familiar with the connections...

The wires are soldered to the base and then run about a foot though the headliner where they "plug into" the AM antenna wire coming from the radio. The base is pretty secure as is the wire entering the underside of the base. Perhaps the plug cane undone...although mine was pretty secure (difficult to disconnect). If you pull down the rear headliner (that one strip is very easy to remove and install), the connection is made about 6-10 inches to the drivers side of center up against the rear of the roof. The wires are held in place by small clips.

A note of caution, if you remove the base, its designed in such a way that it can be secured flush to the roof and have wires running through it. It uses a special kind of nut and a spacer with a notch in it. Just be sure not to pinch the wires when tightening the base. all of the wires should flow through the small notch in the front of the spacer...you'll see what I mean.

Here is the inside and underneath of the base. The AM antenna wire is soldered to the verticle chip from underneath:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/81343/2006__1156.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/81343/2006__084.jpg">

Here is what the base looks like. One of the two wires connects to the AM antenna wire:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/81343/2006__1189.jpg">

Oct 28, 2006 | 12:54 PM

paulroad

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thanks!

Oct 28, 2006 | 12:54 PM

allrat

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I had this problem too . . .

My AM static was intermittent, either reception was really bad, or just fine. I found that the antenna base was not tightly secured to the roof.

Here's how to get to the base, and I didn't need to pull back the headliner:

https://forums.audiworld.com/allroad/msgs/101864.phtml

Hope this helps.