FM radio doent work with aftermarket Headunit

[JeffM 10+ year member]

I installed a pioneer 4800 a couple years ago, and ever since I couldnt get any radio reception. I thought it was just a bad headunit but when I installed my new premier 780 I still have the same problem. I did have to buy one of those adapter cables which allows the factory wire plug into a after market headunit. anyone have any ideas?

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[Jep772 10+ year member]

i got one for free if you pay shipping

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

plug in the antenna, problem solved. that is the only possiblity. and if its already plugged in maybe it cut cut somewhere. that would be the only reason you get no reception

 

[JeffM 10+ year member]

The antenna is plugged in, and the cable is fine because it works fine with my factory radio. The only way I can get it to work is if i hold the adapter cable in my hand. When I stop touching the cable the reception fades again.

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

so there is a short somwhere, or its not getting a proper connection. i think what has happened is that you did not get an antenna adapter for your vehicle so when you slide it in there it does not get a good connection unless you hold it where its supposed to be.

 

[Jep772 10+ year member]

are you pushin it in far enough? some of em are kinda tough to get all the way in ( NO **** )

 

[JeffM 10+ year member]

its in as far as it can go, and it is the right adapator made specifically for my car.

 

[JeffM 10+ year member]

Is it possible that the adaptor cable has to be grounded? There is a metal ring around the plug.

 

[Goindef154 5,000+ posts]

I've heard of some people having to solder a wire to their antenna adapter and ground the wire, you could try that.

 

[Goindef154 5,000+ posts]

Is it possible that the adaptor cable has to be grounded? There is a metal ring around the plug.

That's probably what it is.

 

[Redlineaudio 10+ year member]

The adapters are sometimes bad out of the box. Try another one.

 

[SethPhillips 5,000+ posts]

BAWM200, powerd hide away ant. 14.99

buy one of those. problem solved!

 

[hoss 5,000+ posts]

did you connect the power ant wire on the harness? some cars have amplified antennaes, i have run into that before.

 

[JeffM 10+ year member]

No I didn't connect the power ant wire. I didnt even notice if there was one. What is a amplified antenna?

 

[JeffM 10+ year member]

Well I tried grounding the adapter but it didn't make a difference. I took the plastic cover off the adapter and inside was a chip that the wires connect to. the only way for the radio to work is if i put my finger on this chip. Im assuming that there is something wrong with this part of the adapter so Im going to try another one or maybe Ill buy one of those hide away antennas. I was just wondering if the signal strength on those are as good as a regular antenna?