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- Chris_D
- Lifer
- Posts: 6615
- Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2016 11:41 pm
- Location: Mostly Holland. Sometimes UK.
Poor FM reception
Obvious thing to do would be to start streaming radio from phone via bluetooth.
Yw
Yw
E85 3.0i roadie (03) 'Benny'. E93 320d M-Sport Cabrio (11) 'Bob'.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
'Always different, always the same.' John Peel on The Fall.
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- Member
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:14 am
Poor FM reception
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Last edited by Rufus59 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 10:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
E85 3.0l i Roadster - Titan Silver
- Magicarcher
- Member
- Posts: 543
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:12 pm
- Location: Warwickshire
Poor FM reception
Is the problem all the time or under different weather conditions. I had awful radio reception on my mini (similar base design) in cold and damp weather, fine on nice dry days. Found water was getting in between the rubber seal against the body and interfering with the electronics in the antenna base.
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.
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- Member
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:14 am
Poor FM reception
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Last edited by Rufus59 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 10:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
E85 3.0l i Roadster - Titan Silver
- Magicarcher
- Member
- Posts: 543
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:12 pm
- Location: Warwickshire
Poor FM reception
I am not too familiar with the Z4 antenna but if possible it would be worth checking the antenna ground gives good continuity to the bodywork. On my mini the large single nut under the antenna base has a washer with 4 paint piercing spikes. If the base is loose or has been replaced these may not give good continuity, that would give rise to poor reception and increased interference. If there is any metalwork exposed on the antenna base inside the boot you could easily check this out be running a wire directly from the battery negative (make sure its the negative!) to the antenna base temporarily to make sure you have a good earth and see if things improve.
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.
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- Member
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:14 am
Poor FM reception
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Last edited by Rufus59 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 10:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
E85 3.0l i Roadster - Titan Silver
- Ewazix
- Lifer
- Posts: 4721
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 5:30 pm
- Location: Somerset
Poor FM reception
The primary FM aerial is in the rear bumper, the whippy/stubby is selected as and when needed as backup to the main aerial, so it may be worth checking connections are all sound for the bumper unit as it's a bit vulnerable once the bumper is removed.
The system is fully explained here http://www.bmwclub.lv/files/12_E85_Communications.pdf
rear bumper removed viewtopic.php?t=77072
The system is fully explained here http://www.bmwclub.lv/files/12_E85_Communications.pdf
rear bumper removed viewtopic.php?t=77072
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
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- Member
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:14 am
Poor FM reception
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Last edited by Rufus59 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 10:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
E85 3.0l i Roadster - Titan Silver
- Magicarcher
- Member
- Posts: 543
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:12 pm
- Location: Warwickshire
Poor FM reception
Thanks for this link, answered a lot of questions I had.Ewazix wrote: The system is fully explained here http://www.bmwclub.lv/files/12_E85_Communications.pdf
rear bumper removed viewtopic.php?t=77072
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.
- Ewazix
- Lifer
- Posts: 4721
- Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 5:30 pm
- Location: Somerset
Poor FM reception
No probs, that .lv web resource has a lot of good technical stuff available, providing you use the translate feature in your browser or speak LatvianMagicarcher wrote:Thanks for this link, answered a lot of questions I had.Ewazix wrote: The system is fully explained here http://www.bmwclub.lv/files/12_E85_Communications.pdf
rear bumper removed viewtopic.php?t=77072
2003 2.5 SE, low miles, Sterling Grey, 108's & Eagles, no stubby here! Unmolested.
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
2018 Cooper S Countryman
Fiesta Ecoboost
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- Member
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:14 am
Poor FM reception
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Last edited by Rufus59 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 10:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
E85 3.0l i Roadster - Titan Silver
- Magicarcher
- Member
- Posts: 543
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:12 pm
- Location: Warwickshire
Poor FM reception
I will try and get a circuit diagram that I can read, the one on the PDF link above is not readable on my PC. In theory the antenna base doesn't need to be grounded to the body panel, the screened cable could be grounded at the other end instead. The key thing is the screened cable should only ever be grounded at one end. If you are able to probe with a multimeter without damaging connectors and pins it may be worthwhile checking the wing antenna amplifier is getting a 12V supply and a good ground.
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.
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- Member
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:14 am
Poor FM reception
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Last edited by Rufus59 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 10:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
E85 3.0l i Roadster - Titan Silver
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- Member
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:14 am
Poor FM reception
Happy to report that this is now fixed. Safe to say I'm the go to guy for radio problems now
Confirmed the unit was receiving 12v and then replaced the whole unit (including aerial base and antenna rod and amplifier). Tested by disconnecting bumper aerial and didn't lose fm reception! bliss!
Confirmed the unit was receiving 12v and then replaced the whole unit (including aerial base and antenna rod and amplifier). Tested by disconnecting bumper aerial and didn't lose fm reception! bliss!
E85 3.0l i Roadster - Titan Silver