Bad Radio Reception On Mw Only

[markie]

Hoping someone can help - have Seat Alhambra - in the last couple of weeks, radio reception on MW is poor - sometimes can hear sound of engine through the radio when you are increasing speed, although not always apparent. Seems worse on Talksport, for example, than Radio 5 !

 

Reception seems o.k. in FM mode. Do the cars have suppressors anywhere? Any advice on what I should check?

 

Thanks in advance...

Edited July 15, 2008 by markie

[sadgunner]

Hi,

Had same problem. Found out that the arial had become detached from off side rear window. Have a look!

Might be the same.

[markie]

Hi,

 

Checked that connection - wasn't loose. Pulled it on and off and reception seems a little better, but still not perfect. Am just about to look into suppressors to see if I can fit them somewhere to see if that makes a difference. Maybe its where I am - going away soon so will see if a different location makes any difference.

[seatkid]

Its a known problem on the Mk 1 and is mentioned on the Ford TIS so should have been addressed under warranty.

 

Basically the TIS advises an extra earth wire to be added to the radio loom at the radio end, connecting the 0v supply wire to chassis framework near the radio. This reduces the interference from the engine but doesnt help the poor signal which is due to the rear window aerial being an VHF FM aerial and not a properly designed all band antenna.

[katman]

Is it the standard radio or an aftermarket replacement ?

 

The aerial has an amplifier built into it which is powered from the standard radio. If you have replaced the radio then you might need to fit a power injector to power the amplifier. I had to when I replaced my Ford radio with a Sony.

[markie]

Its standard radio.

 

Seatkid, I have alhambra mkII (2004 reg), so will this radio need earthing as you suggested, or will it have been modified already?

[davewill]

I swopped my standard 6000 model for a 6006 multi CD in my Mkll model

 

Mostly MW reception is OK (not brilliant) but occasionally it almost gives up, with hisses and crackles obliterating the sound (thats on TalkSport and not quite as bad on Radio 5 "Dead" ;) 909 & 693)

 

I have checked the arial connection on the back side window but everything seems OK with this

 

What i have noticed is that if reception is bad, i turn over to FM frequency leave it there for aminute and then turn back to MW. Reception then improves every time :D

 

Any ideas on this would be appreciated