Entertainment Electronics 2nd Gen Diagnosing FM signal loss/clipping and keyfob reception range

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by MrBlah, Jun 19, 2015.

  1. MrBlah

    MrBlah Member

    Jun 19, 2015
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    both problems happened at the same time, FM signal is terrible with what seems like clipping

    keyfob range went bad, with my key and my wifes 3 month old key.

    2009 justacooper with boost radio, no hd receiver, I have a spare diversity module and it made no change, hooked up a standard antenna instead of the diversity crap and it made no change.

    anyone know if there are any other modules between the antenna wire out of the diversity module and the head unit up front?
     
  2. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    May 4, 2009
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    Not sure about the second gen cars, but there is an axillary antenna connection to the rear window defogger wires. If this gets disconnected it can cause some weird problems on the first gen cars.
     
  3. MrBlah

    MrBlah Member

    Jun 19, 2015
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    yeah that goes into the diversity module, the 3 wires appear to be soldered onto the defroster

    I bypassed all of that with a regular old FM antenna and it still had the same issue
     
  4. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
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    Gen1 cars (refresh only with the diversity antennas((glass and roof))) also had a signal booster...powered by power that was backfed up the antenna lead..I cannot recall, but I think on the gen1 cars, it was one unit...any chance you checked the unit for power?Seems to be a common issue for folks when going to an aftermarket radio done by a nonpro Shop...
    Not sure how the key issue might be combined....different frequency...99% sure it has a separate receiver....
    Know every spring when the trees get leaves, many of my favorite stations from Boston drop in signal strength here in NH...about 40 miles from the stations....the marginal ones get more static...a could become annoyingly so till I am 5 miles or so closer to Boston...any chance you might be chasing a ghost caused by the seasons changing or is it VERY SEVERE even on local stations?
     
  5. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
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    PS.
    SCRATCHES in a defroster can cause Static on weak stations if it is on....do they all work??
     
  6. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
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    Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.
     
  7. MrBlah

    MrBlah Member

    Jun 19, 2015
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    yeah and I bypassed the entire defroster diversity antenna, there was almost no change
     
  8. r34king

    r34king Member

    Aug 18, 2011
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    Key antenna is in the rear view mirror. If you are having poor reception with even a new key I'd look at replacing the mirror.
     
  9. MrBlah

    MrBlah Member

    Jun 19, 2015
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    Update on the issues

    INPA shows full signal strength on my test local channel, and selecting antenna diagnostic and going through all the antenna's yields no change, all of the antenna's had similar static
     
  10. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Jul 31, 2009
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    If you figure this out I want to know the answer. I have had bad reception and so does a friend of mine. Good luck!
     
  11. MrBlah

    MrBlah Member

    Jun 19, 2015
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    noticeably better reception after running through the resets in INPA, but still no where near as good as our r53 or other cars

    next step is gonna be disassemble the dash so I can reset all the connections in the head unit
     
  12. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Check the ground connection on the back of the head unit. Mine was not connected properly from the factory and was finally corrected by the dealer some 6 months after delivery.
     

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