Poor reception with OEM head unit

[MRFreeze]

Hello. I have had my NSX for a couple months now and I have noticed that the factory stereo gets very poor reception in my area. Has anyone had this problem before? I can drive 40 miles from my home in my other two cars and not have reception probems but no channels come in good in the NSX. Could the antenna cable be unplugged. I wanted to get some opinions before I tackle taking the dash apart to get to the back of the head unit. I find it hard to believe that the car would have poor reception considering how freaking tall the OEM antenna is! I tried a search but it does not seem to be working at this time.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Hugh]

Could the antenna cable be unplugged.

Anything is possible. There are actually two antenna inputs in the back of the head unit. The retractable mast antenna is for AM and FM and the second antenna is in the rear window and that is for FM only.

 

[MRFreeze]

Thanks for the reply. I see now from looking at the Helm (23-233) that there are indeed two antenna leads as you stated. Why two antennas for FM? I am assuming the window antenna is not very strong or most people would just disconnect the mast antenna. I would. Anyway, I guess I will just take the console panel off and take a look behind the head unit. Hopefully It's just an unplugged lead.

Has anyone experimented with a fixed antenna such as a Fuba or an S2000 antenna? If so, do you have pictures and how is the reception? Thanks....

 

[ncdogdoc]

The NSX has two antennae due to the diversity tuning of the FM deck. It picks the strongest signal of the two trying to reduce mulitpath and other assorted FM sins.

If your retractable mast antenna is functional, going to a shorter antenna will reduce your signal gathering capacity.

 

[MRFreeze]

Gary, thanks for that info. I will pull the console cover off this weekend and have a peek behind the head unit to see if there is anything unplugged and update the board for future reference.

 

[MRFreeze]

So I pulled the head unit out and both of the leads are connected. I then checked at the mast antenna and the lead is plugged in there as well. I unplugged the antenna lead at the mast and radio reception went away completely. Upon plugging it back in, there is some reception but it is very choppy as before so there appears to be continuity at least. Anyone have any ideas? Where does the second lead go to that leads to the rear window antenna? How can I make sure that is plugged in as well? Are there aftermarket signal amplifiers/boosters available?

Thanks....

 

[4AU4LIFE]

If your retractable mast antenna is functional, going to a shorter antenna will reduce your signal gathering capacity

Then having a Smartenna would be useless then correct?

 

[MRFreeze]

Then having a Smartenna would be useless then correct?

If you were to install another retractable antenna then no, it would still be of use but if you were to install a fixed antenna then it would be pretty pointless.

I found where the rear window antenna is located and that is also plugged in and working properly so now I really have no idea why I have such crappy reception. I am hoping that by installing a fixed amplified antenna (ie Fuba or S2000) that this will remedy the problem.

 

[Briank]

MRFreeze

Are you sure you have a reception problem, does your stereo sound ok playing a cd?

 

[Hugh]

Sounds to me like the head unit is defective. It's a good time to replace it with a new head unit. I'll have pics up in the next day or so of an Alpine CDA-7998 installed in the factory console. my installer at Sound Advice in Boca did a fantastic job of modifying the console to accept the radio and also the display for an Escort ZR-3 Laser Shifter right above it. Stay tuned.

 

[MRFreeze]

Briank - The head unit plays tapes and CD's from the changer just fine. I love the way the OEM sound system sounds so i really hope it's not the head unit.

Hugh - If the OEM head unit is bad, I would prefer to get a replacement that is double DIN. I think single din setups make the console area look like there is something missing. That leaves me in a bind as Alpine does not have one in their lineup so I won't be able to control the CD changer any longer if I go with another brand. Looking forward to seeing your setup as the CDA-7998 has an enlarged face and to see how your dash looks with it in there. Are you planning on attending the Florida Super meet in April? It would be nice to see it in person as well.

 

[D'Ecosse]

The head unit plays tapes and CD's from the changer just fine. I love the way the OEM sound system sounds so i really hope it's not the head unit.

My reception sucked with my OEM head & it still sucks with my after-market, therefor I conclude the problem is the antenna system, not the head! I suspect yours is the same.

I think single din setups make the console area look like there is something missing....

Of course we all have different perspectives which is what makes us all unique
I am quite pleased however with the aesthetic result of my own system with single din and have received many compliments of how natural (i.e. non after-market) it looks.
Additionally I have my own personal opinion on the 7998 & it certainly wouldn't fall under that classification from my perspective (no disrespect intended Hugh - it's a fine head functionally & I'll reserve final judgement on the aesthetics until I see your pics - those I've seen just look "added-on" predominantly because of that overly-large flip-out panel)
Technically Alpine is still the force to be measured against - if I change to a different head it is to consider some of the technical features (i.e. time alignment) & possibly to upgrade to DVD - for those reasons the 7996 would be my choice.
You can find pics of my single din installation in this forum & also in the "for-sale" section

 

[Hugh]

Are you planning on attending the Florida Super meet in April? It would be nice to see it in person as well.

What are the dates of the Super Meet and where is the location?
There's a Chin event at Sebring April 17th and 18th so hopefully it's not that weekend. Unless of course the meet is in Sebring.

 

[MRFreeze]

D'Ecosse - I am glad to hear that someone else has had this problem as well. I am going to try a new antenna first to see if that remedies the problem. I don't like the OEM antenna anyway (way too tall) and I have no problem replacing it. I think the S2000 antenna would look good and not be too obtrusive during track events ect. As you said, everyone has their preference. I have seen the pictures of your setup. It is very clean looking and well executed but I just don't care for the spaces above and below the unit. Hopefully I won't have to worry about it if the new antenna solves the problem.

Hugh - The Super Meet is April 2-4 in Orlando. There are no details as of yet but when they are available, you can find them at www.nsxflorida.com. I will post them in the Southeast Forum to let everyone know about it unless someone else beats me to it. I saw that picture and a couple others on the Chin Motorsports web site. I am also signed up for the Chin event on April 17. I have been autocrossing for a while but this will be my first high speed track event and I am very much looking forward to the experience. It will be nice to see some other NSX's out there.

 

[Kato]

I have a similar problem. Unfortunately, my mechanic informed me that the lead that goes to the rear antenna is likely kinked and that it is a known problem in NSX's. It isn't cheap to fix due to the labor involved. I've decided to wait on mine and do the whole stereo job at once (upgrading to mp3 cd player in glovebox...) You might want to look into pricing for replacing the lead...

 

[MRFreeze]

Kato - That is interesting information. I wonder if anyone else can confirm this if it is a known problem. The antennas I am considering come with a new lead so I'll just have to run it myself which should not be too much of a problem. Besides the S2000 antenna, I have also been considering purchasing the Fuba Betaflex D antenna and mounting it on the roof like we did with our del Sol. That is supposed to be one of the best performing antennas available. It has two built in amplifiers with noise filters. VW/Audi use them as OEM equipment on their cars. If I go that route, I will have to bring myself to drill a hole in the roof of the X and I am not sure I am ready to do that. Has anyone done this? Have a pic? The advantage to this is not having to run the antenna lead through the firewall, around the engine, and into the trunk. Disadvantage is of course drilling the hole, and also still having the OEM antenna sitting there although I would unplug it so it would no longer raise up. Taking the antenna out and having a shop cover the hole and painting the quarter panel would be an option though.....So much to think about. Damn poor reception...

 

[D'Ecosse]

I met Jim of JIMSBLACK92 last week and he had replaced his stock antenna with a FUBA style - he said reception is now perfect, even through the hills towards Sanat Cruz for those familiar - but had similar problems as described previously
In stock location, the antenna has an intermediate plug in the trunk location I believe - it's not one continuous wire all way to head.

 

[Hugh]

Looking forward to seeing your setup as the CDA-7998 has an enlarged face and to see how your dash looks with it in there. Are you planning on attending the Florida Super meet in April? It would be nice to see it in person as well.

I'll be at the Super Meet.

As for the stereo I got a peek tonight and it looks un-fucking-believable! The installer even re-recreated the curved contour surrounding the stereo and it therefore matches the look of the climate control contour. The color match is suberb, you can't tell it from stock. I should have pics tomorrow evening when it's hopefully all done. The installer is a perfectionist and won't let me have the car until he is satisfied. LOL

 

[MRFreeze]

D'Ecosse - You're correct, the antenna lead plugs into the power antenna unit in the trunk. I plan to try using that lead first with the new amplified antenna but if that does not work too well because of a possible kink in the lead as Kato mentioned I'll be forced to run a new lead. Glad to hear though that a new antenna may be a fix for this problem.

Hugh - Glad you will be coming to the meet. I am looking forward to the pictures and to seeing the finished product in person.

 

[Roadster]

I think the OEM antenna in general doesn't get the greatest reception. I pick up the same stations better in our Camry than in the NSX.

 

[jlindy]

MRFreeze

I had the exact same problem and I was told that the head unit was probably bad. My antennae was plugged in correctly too and it was new so I know that wasn't the problem. The head unit may not be bad so it is worth a try to replace the lead. A new lead only costs $15 at circuit city, so it is not expensive. The only problem is that your factory lead is burried with all the other cables, so you will have to run it some other way. For $20, circuit city installed it for me and zip tied to where I could not even see it. Problem fixed and works perfectly since I did it last year.

Hope that helps.

 

[D'Ecosse]

Kato & jlindy both seem to have experience of the intermediate lead kinking causing the problem - any more info on where exactly the kink occurs? (kato's mechanic says it's a "known" problem on NSX?) Only question-mark re Kato's is that the solution has not actually been verified, just put forward as likely by his mechanic but in jlindy's case it has actually resolved the issue apparently.
Not sure I'd typically want some circuit city kid pulling my console apart however!
For a $15 investment however I'd be tempted to buy a new extension cable, then just run it through the open door into the open trunk & see if that cures the problem, before attempting to run it through the car. Of course you still have to remove the console to get to the radio input but maybe worth the trouble.
If it does fix the problem, it's not really too much work to run it down through the console through the firewall and over into the trunk - biggest part of the job is probably just removing the console in the first instance.
If it turns out this is a common solution to bad radio reception, definitely worth of FAQ inclusion.

 

[MRFreeze]

jlindy - Thanks for this information! I am going to get a new lead and try this out to see if this is a verified fix to the problem. If so, maybe we can get it added to the FAQ as D'Ecosse suggested. I too would like to know where the kink is at though. Maybe I'll try to trace the route of the original cable to see what I can find out. I still plan on getting an aftermarket antenna though as the OEM one is just plain unattractive in my opinion.....

 

[jlindy]

Glad I could help. I have no idea as to exactly where the OEM lead failed because I just ran a new one. I didn't want to tear up everything to get it out. You can retrace the route of the original, but you will find that it is buried along with several other wires that you won't be able to get to easily if at all.

I spoke with the Circuit City kid in great detail before I let him do anything and he was much more knowledgeable than the typical yahoo's that work at those places. I wasn't afraid of letting him pull out the console because I can do it myself in 2 minutes and I am a simple cave man.

 

[D'Ecosse]

... I didn't want to tear up everything to get it out. You can retrace the route of the original, but you will find that it is buried along with several other wires that you won't be able to get to easily if at all.

I agree it's probably just easier to simply leave it in place - cut it back to as far as you can reach so some-one doesn't make the mistake later of trying to utilize it. I was more just curious where the pinch point is, not really practical to repair it (certainly not at $15 for complete replacement!)