Radio Reception Issues

[WelshSue]

This is my 1st post so please be gentle.

I have a 2003 A6 Avant fitted with a Symphony II Audio system. The issue I have is that when driving down the road from Home the Radio seems to lose signal from all FM stations(nor does it seem to scan using RDS/EON) + I can't receive any AM stations at all.  1st tried replacing the roof aerial, but this has made no difference. Doing a bit of searching on the interweb. The car has a Diversity box, which I have now found in the roof lining next to the roof aerial. I understand this switches to the strongest signal from the 4 aerials(rear side widows, left & right, rear screen heater element & roof aerial). Is this the likely cause of my problem? I have never had a car with this type of aerial system fitted before so am new to this. If this is the cause & I understand they are very expensive, can I just bypass it so that the roof aerial is connected straight to the radio?

Thanks for any advice.  

[Trevor]

Hi Sue...welcome to the Forum

I imagine you are not getting radio reception because you are out in the middle of the Welsh valleys..only joking :-)

I guess you could bypass the Diversity box direct to the radio to see if this improves it and also diagnoses the box as faulty, 

Link to replacement aerial amplifiers  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/171360801400?clk_rvr_id=1148637492034&vectorid=229508&lgeo=1&item=171360801400&rmvSB=true

Let us know how you get on with this

Cheers  Trevor (lovely Welsh name)

 

[WelshSue]

Thanks for the prompt reply Trevor. I will let you know how I get on.  I have ordered a male to male piggyback lead(FRAKA connectors) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301718153294?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[WelshSue]

Thanks for the prompt reply Trevor. I will let you know how I get on.  I have ordered a male to male piggyback lead(FRAKA connectors) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301718153294?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Cable came this morning, actually made it worse. Now can't get Radio 1 & all stations no longer show station name. Will have to try another 2nd hand diversity  box.

 

[Trevor]

That's bad news, probably best try another box and see how you get on then...please let us know the outcome....I'm sure someone else will have the same problem at some point.

[Brad-B5]

Hi Susan

The word on the street is (sorry had to) is that "FM" is going over time and converting over to DAB (more stations will use DAB signal instead of FM/AM signal, you can buy DAB converters for FM/AM radios, could give that ago? if not have you considered a aftermarket single or double din radio unit? 

If the issue persists I'd recommend going to an car audio specialist to have a look (you can do this before going ahead with anything else) 

Regards

Bradley

[WelshSue]

Thanks Bradley for your reply. You obviously read my mind. As I was doing some searches on the net & found a lot of Owners have replaced their Head units. Hubby & I decided this might be the best option as a new diversity unit we have been told is over £100( don't fancy throwing money at a 2nd hand one as no guarantee it wouldn't have the same problem)  & with, like you said DAB on the increase. Also the LCD display on the Symphony has a couple of lines missing. Time for a complete change.

We are going to buy a new Pioneer DAB head unit with CD(will miss the 6 CD option though),wiring Harness adaptor, single DIN Fascia Kit & a  amplified DAB/FM Roof aerial (to bypass the diversity system entirely). See below

 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182235565439

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250704951231

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351781511371

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400872415168

[Brad-B5]

I have the pioneer double din radio fh-x700bt (gort it due to the fact it support a sub woofer), they are a good make, so you won't be disappointed.

12 hours ago, WelshSue said:

ubby & I decided this might be the best option as a new diversity unit we have been told is over £100( don't fancy throwing money at a 2nd hand one as no guarantee it wouldn't have the same problem

I totally agree, you never know if it will work.

I tried having a look around for you also for a double din 6 CD changer new not used and could find any other than one's for different models of cars.

Any more help don't hesitate to ask :)

Regards

Bradley

 

[WelshSue]

Thanks Bradley for your reply. You obviously read my mind. As I was doing some searches on the net & found a lot of Owners have replaced their Head units. Hubby & I decided this might be the best option as a new diversity unit we have been told is over £100( don't fancy throwing money at a 2nd hand one as no guarantee it wouldn't have the same problem)  & with, like you said DAB on the increase. Also the LCD display on the Symphony has a couple of lines missing. Time for a complete change.

We are going to buy a new Pioneer DAB head unit with CD(will miss the 6 CD option though),wiring Harness adaptor, single DIN Fascia Kit & a  amplified DAB/FM Roof aerial (to bypass the diversity system entirely). See below

 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182235565439

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250704951231

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351781511371

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400872415168

Didn't go with the Pioneer unit in the end, as a friend offered me  a Brand new Sony CDX500U for £40 which come with a remote control. All fitted & looks good & more importantly no signal loss. I have done a "Word" document on how it was fitted & parts used. I will see if I can upload it on to here.

[Brad-B5]

Hi Susan

Glad it's all working now! :) 

Regards

Bradley

[Trevor]

On 2/25/2017 at 0:04 PM, WelshSue said:

I have done a "Word" document on how it was fitted & parts used. I will see if I can upload it on to here.

Hi Susan....glad it's all sorted now. If you could post up the procedure I'm sure plenty of other members could benefit from your experience.

You can use this link to post up a tutorial   http://www.audiownersclub.com/forums/tutorials/

Many thanks,  Trevor