Technical Roof Top Aerial and Base unit seperation

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Technical Roof Top Aerial and Base unit seperation

Taggman

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I like many others it seems have a problem with very poor radio reception and lots of white noise over what ever reception I could get. I've followed most the advice from the forum posts. I've ensured the aerial it firmly plugged in place at the back of the radio, I've removed the roof top base unit, disassembled it and cleaned the amplifier circuit. I've decided that the amplifier is u/s and would like to replace it but I just cannot find a Fiat 500 part with both base and aerial. There is no way it seems to separate my arial from the base. P1050503a.jpg
I can see a dividing line but it just will not screw off. The aerial is flattened rather than completely round where it meets the base.
Has anyone any idea about separating these two bits or getting a factory replacement?
 
Interesting how you have a photo inline with your text - I wonder how! :eek:


I expect the aerial does unscrew from the base (mine does; I take it off when fitting a car cover) but I reckon the problems are more likely to be where the cable attaches with the nut under the base, above the headlining. The cable may have been pinched by the nut and shorted or damaged, but you might be able to fix by removing/refitting with care.

-Alex
 
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Thanks alexGS. I'll give it a stronger twist anticlockwise, I was afraid of breaking it but if all else fails its a new one anyway. If I can get them separated I can see If the circuit board connector (that copper strip) is actually pressing up to the bottom of the aerial.
 
Gave the aerial rod a bit more torque anticlockwise and it slowly came apart from the base. Unfortunately I think its now u/s as the rubber came off but left the metal screw connection in place. That did unscrew with a little effort.
P1050545.JPG

P1050544.JPG

The screw shows a lot of oxidisation and there is no obvious wire connection to the stubby aerial, unless that coil of metal inside the connector is it:confused:
So I'm having to get a new one - any ideas?
 
So I'm having to get a new one - any ideas?[/QUOTE]

I've recently replaced our aerial (colour therapy so white in colour). Got the base and aerial from separate Fiat dealers (cheaper that way) selling via eBay
 
I obtained a new roof top aerial base and aerial thanks to Bluetruck. After installation of the new kit the radio is performing great, all FM and AM stations coming through strong and clear.
 
I obtained a new roof top aerial base and aerial thanks to Bluetruck. After installation of the new kit the radio is performing great, all FM and AM stations coming through strong and clear.

Thanks for updating us - glad you got it sorted. Sorry if my advice led you to break your aerial :eek: As you can see, there is a screw thread connection in there which should have unscrewed but didn’t this time. I think the rubber part contains a wire which should have included the coil you photographed. Perhaps it was broken some time ago.

-Alex
 
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Your advice was sound AlexGS, the radio aerial and base unit were busted long before I got possession so needed replacing anyway. As the screw studding was virtually welded to the base connection any attempt to unscrew it was bound to break the internal wire which spiralled up the rod. Not a good design that allows water egress leading to corrosion/oxidisation like that. You asked about the way my images were added between the text. All I did was load up one image at a time, write some text, load and insert another image and so on. Just make sure your cursor is placed where you want the image to be. Thanks again.
 
As the screw studding was virtually welded to the base connection any attempt to unscrew it was bound to break the internal wire which spiralled up the rod. Not a good design that allows water egress leading to corrosion/oxidisation like that.


I've encountered the same problem on my daughter's 500 which unfortunately is the white colour therapy one (therefore mosre expensive!). How easy is it to access the underside of the base unit and can I do this without completely removing the headlining?



Also, what grease should I use on the threads to prevent future oxidisation?


Many thanks
 
It's not too difficult, just be careful. After removing the two plastic retaining studs with a plastic lever tool you can pull the liner down just enough to get your hand and a ring spanner into position. From memory I think it was a 10mm retaining nut at the base and there was a tensioning washer between nut and roof. Remember which way you need to turn the spanner to loosen the nut as you are coming at it from below. I just used a squirt of WD40 on the threads, but I suppose there are better greases out there.
My new aerial is still working OK.
Good luck with the repair.
 
I've encountered the same problem on my daughter's 500 which unfortunately is the white colour therapy one (therefore mosre expensive!). How easy is it to access the underside of the base unit and can I do this without completely removing the headlining?



Also, what grease should I use on the threads to prevent future oxidisation?


Many thanks

Pretty much any great would do for this White lithium ceramic ect it's only needed to keep the damp away from the metal
 
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