2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

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agaafear
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2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by agaafear »

2002 C5 with the original fit radio unit. Works fine for 10-15 minutes after starting up, following which the reception will gradually worsen and fade to nothing. CD player works perfectly. This problem seems to have occurred quite suddenly. Thanks in advance for any help!
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Re: 2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by vborovic »

The simplest way would be to test with another aerial antenna, maybe your antenna wire corroded somewhere and is loosing signal
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Re: 2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by jgra1 »

had this exactly, earlier in the year.. also I had a feint high pitched whistle,.,

got another unit from a wrecker, all fine now :)
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Re: 2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by SaabC5 »

Had the same problem with mine when i bought it. Went aftermarket HU and all good.
09 C5 X7 2.0Hdi Exclusive in Perla Nera black (the best colour) :wink:
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Re: 2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by vborovic »

Following the previous comments, I'll correct myself and say that the cheapest way to test would be with another antenna ... :D
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Re: 2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by Stickyfinger »

My Mk1 had corroded earth under the aerial mount, cleaned it, did not work, replaced the mount then no problem.
The Mk 1 Facelift had the post to the whip corroded as well as the earth under the mount like the Mk1, replaced the Whip and cleaned the earth, np after that.
My X7 does not have one :) ..... so that problem was solved by Citroen quickly :)
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Re: 2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by THELABMAN »

The problem is usually water getting into the base of the Ariel unit on the roof of the car... if I remember correctly the unit has the amplifier built into it rather than the head unit so if it goes yin lose the signal.... testing with another antena wouldn't solve this problem as you'd still have no amplifier
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Re: 2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by agaafear »

jgra1 wrote:had this exactly, earlier in the year.. also I had a feint high pitched whistle,.,

got another unit from a wrecker, all fine now :)
John
That's exactly what' happening - the feint, high pitched whistle and then the reception eventually fades until the unit starts scanning for a stronger signal.

If you replace the head unit with an after market one, surely it renders the display and remote controls useless?
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Re: 2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by jgra1 »

sorry aga
I didn't realise it was searching a new signal.. mine did not do that..

I replaced mine with a unit from a scrapper, a c5 unit.. it's all fine now and cost at least £5 :) - however since I have fitted it I have almost given up radio in the car ;) there isn't quite the choice I want.. but there can be a lot of rubbish, including 'auntie'

I would give a lot for DAB, however..

hope you get it sorted.. it could be as others have said, the ariel not the unit.. not sure a cheap test on that..

re: aftermarket radio, you can regain the wheel controls, as far as i know.. same as xantia .. just need to buy a compatible HU and a CONNECTS2 I would imagine.. plenty have changed their c5 HU

for me I would miss the display a bit, and I like the original look of the dash/lighting etc

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Re: 2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by agaafear »

Bit confused really - ariel or head unit. Seems very difficult to remove the ariel as the bolt is beneath the headlining.
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Re: 2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by Stickyfinger »

Is it a SatNav car ?, if so you need a base with the GPS in it, no satnav ?, then a standard base about 20 notes on ebay new

Headlining >> Release it from under the boot seal and slide your hand in to release it, no need to go to far. Two small nuts and the wires.
A Mini socket set is handy to get in with. 20 min job really.
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Re: 2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by dnsey »

In the case of the 2001 one I replaced, there was one large nut holding the base.
Clearly, you need to check the fitting before obtaining a replacement.
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Re: 2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by Stickyfinger »

Yes, in my 2001 it was one big metal one, the 2005 however was two small and a large round plastic gromit.

A quick look and feel is easy
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Re: 2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by agaafear »

So I replaced OEM unit with an Alpine BT unit. Citroen no longer make the original units. However, when the ignition is switched off and key removed, the radio stays on. It will turn off after a few minutes - at the same time that the electric windows stop to function. There's a noise from behind the dash and the electrics seems to close off. However, the stereo will then restart when the doors are unlocked. Any ideas what the issue might be or if there's a fix? It's a 2002 C5.
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Re: 2002 C5 Losing Radio Reception

Post by vborovic »

When it turns off, the car will go into energy saving mode (that's why the windows don't work) ... have you checked if the wiring is proper, the radio should have one active wire position where you connect the live wire, which turns off with the ignition off (and the radio turns off as well in that case) ... seems you've connected it to the live wire that is always on ...
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