Technical New DAB radio

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Technical New DAB radio

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Mar 18, 2020
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86
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Newton le willows
DAB radio.jpg

Radio adaptor.jpg

splitter.jpg

Having a go at fitting my new DAB/bluetooth head unit tomorrow (got nothing else to do) inc FM/DAB splitter that will allow me to use the existing aerial.
 
You may POSSIBLY have a problem with the "FM/DAB aerial splitter" as shown in the photo ...... As they work fine with Factory-Aerials that are NON-Amplified, but NOT with "Factory-Amplified" aerials (of which many or most of [at least] Non-Dolphin Multiplas have).

Our Multipla was factory-fitted with an amplified FM aerial as standard, and I had to change/replace it with a Tri-band (FM/DAB/Cellphone) aerial I bought via Amazon in order to get good DAB reception.

Your Mileage May Vary

Cheers, Bob
 
You’d be a lot better off buying an antenna that sticks to the windscreen, I’ve used both and the windscreen one is much better. The splitter will work but you won’t get a very good signal, especially when on the move.
 
You may POSSIBLY have a problem with the "FM/DAB aerial splitter" as shown in the photo ...... As they work fine with Factory-Aerials that are NON-Amplified, but NOT with "Factory-Amplified" aerials (of which many or most of [at least] Non-Dolphin Multiplas have).

Our Multipla was factory-fitted with an amplified FM aerial as standard, and I had to change/replace it with a Tri-band (FM/DAB/Cellphone) aerial I bought via Amazon in order to get good DAB reception.

Your Mileage May Vary

Cheers, Bob

Hi Bob, this wasn't an issue, as the new head unit doesn't put a supply onto the feed to the antenna, via the audio plug (there's no pin on the output of the radio)
Phil D.
 
You’d be a lot better off buying an antenna that sticks to the windscreen, I’ve used both and the windscreen one is much better. The splitter will work but you won’t get a very good signal, especially when on the move.

Hi Mike,
It seems ok, but like you said, i've not tried it on the road yet, there is a magnetic DAB aerial that comes with the radio, i may have to use this if and when i need it, but i haven't finished the installation yet, as i will explain on the thread.
Phil D.
 
Hi all,
Just a quick update on the DAB upgrade, things have ground to a halt at the moment, 1st of all i needed a ISO to DIN aerial adaptor, and not being to go out and pick one up, i had to order 1 via amazon (2 days), also the adaptor/fascia i ordered didn't turn up on Sat, as it was supposed to (they said it got lost in the post:confused:) so i have had to order another 1 from a different company, hopefully should arrive tomorrow, so watch this space.
Phil D.
 
When you say magnetic aerial, I’m guessing you mean a roof mount one? If so, they’re ok but rather annoying as you’ve got to pass the wire out of the car. If your splitter doesn’t work, for the sake of £10 it’d definitely be wise to get the windscreen one, literally takes 10 mins to run down the a pillar, I’ve fitted loads in the past with no signal issues.
 
When you say magnetic aerial, I’m guessing you mean a roof mount one? If so, they’re ok but rather annoying as you’ve got to pass the wire out of the car. If your splitter doesn’t work, for the sake of £10 it’d definitely be wise to get the windscreen one, literally takes 10 mins to run down the a pillar, I’ve fitted loads in the past with no signal issues.

Where did you get it from Mikey ?
 
Where did you get it from Mikey ?

Readily available on eBay but Halfords also sell them if you don’t want to wait on postage (double the price).

Only thing to mention is double check what dab connection you have on your headunit/current aerial and compare with the photos as there’s a couple of different connectors and yep, you guessed it, I’ve made that mistake before haha!

Here’s an eBay item number for ones I’ve used in the past: 162926597118
 
IMG_20200405_144451.jpg
Ok, done for the time being, all working ok, the eagle eyed amongst you will notice that the facsia adaptor isn't the same colour as the dashboard, when it arrived i contacted the seller and said "the adaptor plate is fawn coloured, not grey, as in the photo" he said "that's the only one we do", so i said "well why is the one in the photo grey?" i'm still waiting a reply !


As Bob said, the splitter didn't work so well, when on the road, so i used the magnetic one that came with the head unit, i will possibly fit a screen mounted one late
DEGA-4001-1.jpg
I have tried the type of aerial you suggested Mikey, but
this is the aerial i have used twice before (on a MGZT and a Saab 9-3) with fantastic results.
But aside from these problems, everything works well inc the bluetooth call facility built into the radio.

As an aside, my tailgate has stopped unlocking with the remote, so i have no way of getting in it, also my reversing sensors have stopped working, they sound a continuous bleep for a few seconds, then don't work, i know one may be faulty, but how do i get them out of the bumper ? Any advice would be appreciated.
Phil D.
 
For the parking sensors, if you put the car in reverse, then get your ear up right next to each sensor in turn, you should be able to hear them clicking ( very faintly). If one’s not clicking, something is wrong with it. Check the wiring at the back of each, though it’s tricky to get at. As your tailgate release has also stopped working though, it makes me wonder if there’s a more significant wiring fault that’s to blame.
 
For the parking sensors, if you put the car in reverse, then get your ear up right next to each sensor in turn, you should be able to hear them clicking ( very faintly). If one’s not clicking, something is wrong with it. Check the wiring at the back of each, though it’s tricky to get at. As your tailgate release has also stopped working though, it makes me wonder if there’s a more significant wiring fault that’s to blame.

I don't think the two are related, the reversing sensors have not worked for a year (according to the guy who sold me the car) the tailgate issue only arose the last couple of days.
You say the wiring is tricky to get at, how exactly ?
Phil D.
 
You can get your hand to the back of the sensors from underneath, but access is tight especially if you have a tow bar fitted. Failing that, it's a bumper-off job.
 
Ok,
A quick post to let you know how i'm getting on, sorted the tailgate issue, had to strip the tailgate down and access the micro switch (after sourcing the info on this forum:) ) the switch was faulty, luckily i had one that fitted, in my box of spares in the garage (one of the advantages of being an maintenance engineer) i replaced the switch, and it's working again :D.
I still have the problem with the parking sensors, i did the clicking test (putting the car in reverse and listening to the sensors) i found two not clicking, one of two in the middle, which can be removed fairly easily, but the 2nd one was the one high on the left hand side of the bumper, which can't be removed, because of the positioning of a cross member, so i had to remove the bumper, which is a trial in itself , i know a few people posted links for me, but to be honest they weren't much help, so i dived in (i've got nothing else to do at the moment) it was relatively straight forward, till i came to realise i had to access some fixing points behind the wheel arch cover, i took the wheel off, but i couldn't get the cover screws out, the heads had rusted off :( had to drill them out, but apart from this setback, the process is quite obvious, just waiting for delivery of two new sensors, and refitting of bumper, now.
 
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