w210 poor radio reception

[Timref1967]

I have a 1996 E320 estate, it has had poor to nil radio reception since i bought it, I have since replaced the non oem head unit with another (sony) and the radio still can't pick up anything!!!

I've seen that there is an amplifier somewhere in the back right hand side... should I be looking at this?

AM and FM are both the same.

Cheers, Tim.

 

[television]

Yes the amp is in the rear, now the center wire is very thin and easily damaged, turn the radio on and tune to a weak station, take out the plug that leads to the radio and take a piece of wire about 1 meter long and touch the wire onto the center connection of the plug, if the station is better or OK then the fault is further back, so plug the cable back into the amp and withdraw the one from the aerial, and touch your piece of wire into the center pin on the socket on the amp. if the reception stays bad, then it is the amp

 

[television]

Something that has been deleted now with the early 210's is where the lead comes through from the rear and got trapped in the rear seat that damaged the cable.

Most break are imedietly where the plugs join on

 

[230K]

Hi

The antenna is in the nearside cargo window and the connections do become detached where it joins the glass, i would try there first.

230k

 

[Timref1967]

It's a RHD estate, I thought the amp was in the right hand side (drivers side) rear panel and the aerial was in the rear window?

 

[television]

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GA=722.607&CT=F&cat=45Q&SID=82&SGR=345&SGN=19

 

[230K]

It's a RHD estate, I thought the amp was in the right hand side (drivers side) rear panel and the aerial was in the rear window?

Hi

My 1998 RHD estate has it in the nearside cargo window, couldnt be sure of your 1996 but i would expect it to be the same. Have a look and see, from memory it is lines on the glass.

230K

 

[Timref1967]

Thanks guys... did a full check with multimeter, turns out the aerial connector which goes on the back of the stereo was duff, the signal wire had snapped, took it apart and soldered it directly to stereo and cable claped the cable to the rear of the stereo and hey presto.... a working radio!!!

Thanks again.... Tim.

 

[mikerob]

had exactly same prob and same solution., wire in aerial connector.
thanx all you experts out there!