Galaxy Radio Reception

[Guest Phill]

Can someone help me please.

I have had a Galaxy since 1997. For three years radio reception on AM was very poor (crackly). I sent it back to the main dealers on numerous occasions with little improvement, the only suggestion they made was to keep replacing things !

Eventually I traced the ariel lead back to the rear window and unscrewed (unearthed?) a small rectangular box (amplifier) situated just before the window ariel. Since then the reception has in the main part been acceptable.

I have now tried to fit a radio cd player (not ford), I've tried two and the reception on AM waveband is very distant and needs high volume to just hear with loads of noise. It is a Panasonic so I would normally expect better.

 

Can anyone suggest anything please ??

 

Phil

[HJT]

I tend not to listen to AM much but I have noticed that in general that radio reception in the Galaxy is not as good as other cars with seperate aerials on the roof. If radio reception is important to you, it might be worth considering fitting a different aerial. You could try fitting the unit, temporarily into another car with a roof aerial and see if that works better. At least it will confirm that it's the aerial and not the unit.

 

Howard

[Danny Boy]

I have recently fittecd a cd/radio to my Galaxy and had the same problem with AM Band.....all you need is a 'signal booster' its just a couple of wires and small peice of metal that connects to the back of the aerial socket on the head unit....5 min job at most cost about

[Guest Phill]

Thanks for the advice. I have decided to fit an aerial booster, can't find one local so have ordered from Scenic Car Audio on the internet (

[Danny Boy]

I didn't think you could because its built into the Ford head units??

[Guest Phill]

Right sorted.

Thanks for the input all, especially Danny boy for correct diagnosis.

Just to clear up the disconnection I did with the amplifier near the aerial, I unscrewed it from the body of the car I did not disconnect any wires.

The new bit that I have fitted calls itself a signal separator. I will quote from the instructions:-

"When changing a radio in VWs, Ford Galaxy and Probes or another vehicle with an amplified aerial, you must provide a power feed from the new head unit. This can only be done with this signal separator."

So it seems to me that what I have now fitted provides power to the existing amplified aerial.

 

Anyway it works, so back to five live.

Cheers.....Phil.

[Eddie]

My LW reception is very poor but AM and FM is OK. Any one got any comments on LW reception?

[Guest man.in.black]

Ford Technical Service Bulletin #157/1996 states:

 

"If radio interference or poor reception is a concern, then an additional ground cable can be fitted between the engine and the bodywork........An additional cable has been in production since October 1996..."

 

My Ford Dealer says if I contact Ford Customer Care, they may even pay for it - so they do know, it is a known fault, and there is a recommended cure !

 

Best of luck, and thanks to Gordons' Ford (Bolton)