[C5 X7] Radio problem / antenna

[Azz]

Hey!

First of all I'd like to welcome everyone .

I got C5 X7 Tourer (2.2 HDi BiTurbo, 2008y) and I got a problem with weak antenna signal - I suppose.
I mean that from time to time (every couple of seconds to be more specific) I hear noises - it is very irritating
and made me to listen mp3 via USB only for the past few months.

I guess it is something wrong with the antenna amplifier maybe? I have no clue where it is located in my car.

Or any other suggestions, what should I check?

Thanks in advance, Az!

[Paul-R]

Is it a kind of shushing fluttery noise?

Have a read of my post about problems with my radio, http://frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... =3&t=55464

[GiveMeABreak]

Hey! First of all I'd like to welcome everyone .
I got C5 X7 Tourer (2.2 HDi BiTurbo, 2008y) and I got a problem with weak antenna signal - I suppose. I mean that from time to time (every couple of seconds to be more specific) I hear noises - it is very irritating and made me to listen mp3 via USB only for the past few months.

I guess it is something wrong with the antenna amplifier maybe? I have no clue where it is located in my car.

Hi Az, welcome to the Forum.
First of all, do you have ANY accessories or equipment plugged into either the cigarette lighter at the front or the 12V accessories socket in the rear, such as phone chargers etc?
Next, can you either post or PM your vehicle's VIN number so I can see exactly what system you have and we can take it from there. Once I know the unit you have, we can start eliminating things like the tuning settings, whether there is a separate amp installed etc.

[Azz]

Hey guys, thanks for answer!

Yes Paul it's something like that, you can listen the radio and the passengers seems to do not notice the problem,
but when I'm constantly driving the car it makes me "wrrr", I turned off the RDS etc. - no difference.
It's like every couple of seconds "shhhh" in the background of the music.

I got plugged a car camera in the front 12V socket - but when it is not plugged it doesn't make any difference,
the problem was before I installed it.

VIN sent via PM!

Thanks!

[Paul-R]

Keep an eye on my thread for when the new radio arrives and I report my findings.

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so you have the RT4 system Az, with the separate Audio Amplifier.
I've included these pics for reference more than anything, so you can at least see the flow of the aerial from the roof mount, to the adaptor, through to the head unit.

RT4 Head Unit


RT4 Rear Connections
Easy enough to gently pull out and remove / check / replace all the connections to make sure they are all in place.


Aerial Wiring
Just to show where it is routed


Aerial Adaptor
This is the unit that takes the aerial lead in and splits into AM / FM or FM2 depending on kit.


Audio Amp
This is where your audio amplifier unit is stored (for reference really).


These will hopefully let you see where things are for checking connections, but as Paul had a similar problem, even after an aerial change - I would be inclined to check the earthing points and connections first. I believe the radio inteference suppressor is integral to the Head Unit itself. Keep an eye on Paul's update as it will be interesting to see if the new unit has resolved the issues.

[Azz]

Thanks for input!

I'll keep an eye on the thread, meanwhile here is a video where maybe it will be noticable for you what it is all about (it's even worse than on the video - this time was quite OK).



Cheers!

[Paul-R]

I couldn't hear anything untoward I'm afraid.

Mmmmmm - the Moodies...

[GiveMeABreak]

Very hard to hear anything especially with the background noise and the Moody Blues, so not sure what I was supposed to be detecting, sorry!

[Azz]

Hm, you can hear it but yea it can be difficult for someone who is not "into it" .
I'll make a better video, anyway - the audio amplifer in the glove department isn't the trouble right? (CD/USB/HDD play without any noises).
The Aerial adaptor is responsible for the signal amplification right?, the antenna signal I mean.

Btw. the aerial adaptor is from inside or outside? - I'm little confused.

Thanks

[myglaren]

There is - or was on previous models - an aerial amplifier in the base of the aerial(s) accessible through the interior light.
This was/is prone to water damage when the aerial seal fails.
A fairly easy fix (I'm told) and sometimes the cure is just to remove the bits, dry and clean them and refresh the seal around the aerial base.

There are thee aerials - radio, TA and RDS.
My RDS doesn't work. On the other hand I don't really care as I know what is on the CDs anyway.

[GiveMeABreak]

Azz - I can't say for sure what the exact internal function of the aerial adapter is on the X7. On my previous C5 MKII, the aerial base was the amplifier - it had electronics in there and I think was powered with a live feed and went back to the body earth. There were at least 3 wires that came out of the aerial base that then plugged into the aerial harness leading back to the head unit that incorporated all these funtions bar the Trafficmaster. This was on my exclusive with Navidrive RT3, Nav, GSM, Trafficmaster etc.

The aerial adapter is on the rear side pillar under the trim according to the docs, but nothing more than is shown in the diagram above.