anonymous Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 I checked the stickies and did an unsuccessful search. Hopefully this hasn't been covered already. I have a 1995 850T wagon. Just got it, and love it. It has an after market head unit (Eclipse 3404) in it though, and the AM reception is too poor to enjoy. I've checked a few things:The power booster (located under in window antenna in the back left window) appears to be getting 10 volts (with engine off). I'm not sure how to be sure its WORKING though.When removing the power booster and measuring impedence on the antenna, its about 2 ohms.Impedence on the antenna cable (from the booster to the HU) is about 3 ohms.Visual inspection of the antenna looks OK. No scratches or missing inlay on the window.What else should I check? Has anyone else had experience w/this? Should I try replacing the booster? I enjoy a lot of AM channels and would love to get this fixed.Thanks in advance for any insight,-Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazykn Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 I've had the same problem before with aftermarket units in my old car. Turns out that ignition system noise was getting into the radio. It turned out that some aftermarket radios lack adequate power filtering, so if you make a trip to the auto store and look for a 12V power filter and attach it to the RED ignition wire on the radio (bypass it with the filter). If you are the more technical type, the filter is just a small 100uF capacitor and a small wire choke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonymous Posted November 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Wouldn't this sort of problem have the the typical symptom of noise that seems to be tied to the RPM of the engine (ie, higher RPM, higher pitched interference)?In my case, the reception is poor whether the engine is running or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonymous Posted November 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 At this point, I'm thinking the antenna booster isn't working (since it is getting power, but isn't providing a good signal). I can't find this part on FCP Groton. Anyone know where else I might be able to find one?I don't think this part is volvo specific, but do you think it'd work: http://www.audiooutfitter.com/store/124316/44UAG10B.htmlThat's the closest thing I've been able to find so far. Unfortunately, there isn't a Volvo dealer in my town, so I'd prefer to find one online rather than make a long drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Norm Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Get a cheep antenna from an auto parts store and plug the lead into you head unit. Did reception improve? Your antenna amp is bad or a cable is gone, etc. If it didn't improve with the new antenna, HU is bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulr Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 don't some HU's have internal AM antennas ? if yours does that could definitely make things worse, as the signal would have to pass through the car... Look up your model and see if it says it has an internal AM antenna or not. The "Get a cheap antenna" idea is a good one, too. That said, I've never heard a Volvo with good AM reception (not that I listen to AM much). I've heard slightly better in other cars, but nothing that didn't sound like, well, AM. I assume you've had it better because you say they're favorite stations, but I really don't know what's fair to expect from AM... Anyway, good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_anonymous_* Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 I assume you've had it better because you say they're favorite stations, but I really don't know what's fair to expect from AM... Anyway, good luck.Yeah, I expect AM to be a little poor. This is so bad I can't make out what people are saying/singing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonymous Posted November 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Great news!While I was taking everything apart and testing each segment (all of which tested good, except the booster that I didn't know how to test) I must have reconnected something better than the way I found it. AM works as clear as a bell now. Not sure what the problem was, but I'm very happy its gone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(n)A-GAME Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Great news!While I was taking everything apart and testing each segment (all of which tested good, except the booster that I didn't know how to test) I must have reconnected something better than the way I found it. AM works as clear as a bell now. Not sure what the problem was, but I'm very happy its gone!I have the same problem...is there any way you could post pics or even a mini write up on what you did? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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