Radio problem - any suggestions?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 78
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From: London, England
Radio problem - any suggestions?
Hi all,
I drive an imported Japanese spec SC430 here in the UK. The radio was fitted with an expander to pick up UK stations when I first got the car (almost 3 years ago).
For the first 2.5 years, all was fine. FM reception was not perfect, but definitely acceptable, while AM reception was excellent.
Over the last 6 months, however, there has been a gradual deterioration. FM is now un-listenable - so full of crackle and pop. Only one BBC station - a particularly high-powered one - can actually be enjoyed 'properly'. Some AM stations are OK but most are swamped in background hiss.
I have had the system inspected 3 times now by different people (Lexus dealers and independent audio specialists).
The expander and the aerial have both been replaced, and the problem is no different.
The friendly Lexus dealer (who didn't charge me for the new aerial) is completely baffled. His only suggestion now is to replace the entire head unit, which would cost me £975 (about $1700 PLUS LABOUR).
And even then, he says he is unable to guarantee that this will fix the problem.
Does anyone here have any ideas?
How can radio reception just gradually deteriorate? And why wouldn't a new aerial and expander fix the problem? Is there anything else I can try?
One more piece of info:- reception is OK when the car is stationary with the engine off.
Any ideas?!?!?
All the best,
Martin
I drive an imported Japanese spec SC430 here in the UK. The radio was fitted with an expander to pick up UK stations when I first got the car (almost 3 years ago).
For the first 2.5 years, all was fine. FM reception was not perfect, but definitely acceptable, while AM reception was excellent.
Over the last 6 months, however, there has been a gradual deterioration. FM is now un-listenable - so full of crackle and pop. Only one BBC station - a particularly high-powered one - can actually be enjoyed 'properly'. Some AM stations are OK but most are swamped in background hiss.
I have had the system inspected 3 times now by different people (Lexus dealers and independent audio specialists).
The expander and the aerial have both been replaced, and the problem is no different.
The friendly Lexus dealer (who didn't charge me for the new aerial) is completely baffled. His only suggestion now is to replace the entire head unit, which would cost me £975 (about $1700 PLUS LABOUR).
And even then, he says he is unable to guarantee that this will fix the problem.
Does anyone here have any ideas?
How can radio reception just gradually deteriorate? And why wouldn't a new aerial and expander fix the problem? Is there anything else I can try?
One more piece of info:- reception is OK when the car is stationary with the engine off.
Any ideas?!?!?
All the best,
Martin
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 374
Likes: 11
From: Texas
Your "one more piece of info" may be the kicker.
My first thought is that you've got a bare wire or a bad contact somewhere, probably the one to the antenna? It picks up interference from the engine, possibly in contact with the body, so it's also in the car's electrical loop (ground).
Since it did sound good, I would suspect that something wore through or came loose.
Clearly I'm not an expert on this, but I hope it's a good direction to check out.
My first thought is that you've got a bare wire or a bad contact somewhere, probably the one to the antenna? It picks up interference from the engine, possibly in contact with the body, so it's also in the car's electrical loop (ground).
Since it did sound good, I would suspect that something wore through or came loose.
Clearly I'm not an expert on this, but I hope it's a good direction to check out.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
From: London, England
Thanks AntiG.
My thought too, and that's the first thing both the dealer and the audio tech cecked out (so they tell me). When the aerial was replaced, the wiring was checked again.
Wierd isn't it?
Martin
My thought too, and that's the first thing both the dealer and the audio tech cecked out (so they tell me). When the aerial was replaced, the wiring was checked again.
Wierd isn't it?
Martin
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