Bad FM

[lib319]

Hi there,

My Marea stereo has bad FM reception, my Fiesta has good FM reception so I think it is a problem with the radio rather than the signal/area I live. Is there any obvious, well known problem with the standard Fiat stereo? FM crackles a lot, lots of hiss. Is this more likely to be an aerial problem? AM seems to work fine.

I thought I would just change the radio unless someone is aware of a quick fix.

Cheers

lib

 

[Luke]

AM and FM use different areals, so i wouldnt rule out a bad ariel Has it always been bad, or just degraded?

 

[lib319]

Always been bad.

I used an ipod mini with an FM transmitter

http://www.xtrememac.com/adapters/airplay.shtml

which works fine in the Ford but not the Fiat, otherwise I wouldn't really care about radio reception too much. Any thoughts on changing the aerial? Can I just take it off and replace with another from the scrappy?

cheers

 

[turbo_jim]

Have you checked the aerial connection at the back of the radio - might be a bit loose?? Otherwise check that the aerial is earthed well where it joins the roof, ie. no rust etc. (im assuming it's on the roof on a marea)

 

[lib319]

Will do, I'm waiting to get a set of stereo removal tools (don't fancy using cocktail sticks and getting them stuck).

In any case, I quite fancy fitting a stereo that has a USB adaptor so I don't have to rely on the FM transmitter, I've seen a Goodmans on Ebay for a about £50 inc p&p. Anyone know of any other USB stereos for about this price or less?

cheers

lib

 

[turbo_jim]

I've seen a Goodmans on Ebay for a about £50 inc p&p. Anyone know of any other USB stereos for about this price or less?

cheers

lib

I would avoid anything made by goodmans with a barge pole. one or two of the new JVC radios have an aux input on the front, or you could buy a blaupunkt and get an auxiliary adaptor for £6.

 

[lib319]

Ok, I've had the stereo out. Is the aerial connectior on the thick black lead (with a foam covering)?

 

[turbo_jim]

Ok, I've had the stereo out. Is the aerial connectior on the thick black lead (with a foam covering)?

Yeah, that should be it. There should only be 2 other plugs going in, which are both the same shape - these are your power and speaker wires.

 

[lib319]

Thanks Turbo!

The actual aerial has broken. The metal bit where it connects to the metal roof fitting has snapped off at the screw in bit. Tried the scrappy, all I could find was a brava with the same snapped aerial.

Anyone got any spare?

thanks all

lib