DennisCooper Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Hi, I've searched using the forum function with the search terms 'poor radio reception' and read through some of the responses. However, I'm sure someone posted a link in a response which then went onto another forum (quite possibly E46 fanatics) which showed a very simple option to try and fix this issue. In short, when changing to an aftermarket head unit and using a harness adaptor so everything plug and plays, often there's not a connection to 'switch on' the OEM radio amplifier in the rear C pillars of BMW's. You then end up with rubbish FM/AM reception in that only the very strongest signals will come through. I'm SURE I read that by connecting one of the pins/leads in the OEM loom at the dash area of the car, it'll 'switch on' the OEM aerial amplifier and thus restore it's operation and provide stronger radio signal/reception. Some of the responses are similar when I just searched, however they involve removing and changing/modifying the amplifier and its connectors it seems. Has anyone got the link to which I'm referring please! Apologies if it is in one of the search results on here! Cheers, Dennis! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Don't you just need a later antenna amplifier that doesn't have the 2nd feed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisCooper Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Hi, I actually have an E39 Touring, so I'm unsure if that fix which I'm reading about for E46's would be the same. I'll do some more digging to see if the unit's are interchangeable. Cheers, Dennis! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob- Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 check pin 16 on the factory loom (coming out of the car) has continuity throught the aftermarket ISO harness to the HU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeelingLucky Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 OEM head units power feed the amplifier in the C pillar up the center conductor of the ariel lead. Aftermarket head units don't, leaving your antenna amplifier un-powered. You will need an adapter to power feed the amplifier. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/150537563845 Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spawn Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 ive never got my radio working after fitting an alpine headunit in my 55plate 330ci. maybe i need that adaptor?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisCooper Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Hi, Thanks for that link, will drop them a message to ask and confirm if it's what I need! Spawn, I have an Alpine as well, so will be useful to see if indeed this scoche product works ! Cheers, Dennis! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob- Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 (edited) Most aftermarket head units have one or two remote switch ons separate to the main loom. Usually they have a label saying 'ant' or 'rem'. Connect one of these to the pin on the aftermarket ISO that corresponds with pin 16 on the factory one that goes back into the dash. Easy really and saves you buying an adapter. With regards to whether an e39 will be the same, if it had the business system with the cassette and cd changer in the boot then it will be 17 pin the same as the e46 business system. Edited February 24, 2011 by ROB1986 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisCooper Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Thanks for that ! I think that sums up what was written in the post I was trying to remember! however, I have the Flat Pin connectors as my car is a late 2002 build. Is there a similar diagram for those? if the pin function by number is the same all good, but I bet it is actually different ! Cheers, Dennis! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob- Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spawn Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 ive connected the 'ant' wire to pin 16, and its def live! doesnt improve?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob- Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 (edited) I'm out of answers then, thats how i fixed mine... Edited February 24, 2011 by ROB1986 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrism Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 I have this same problem with my Dynavin. Tried connecting pin 16 with no success. Also got a signal booster as in the link above which has improved the situation a bit but there is still something not right. In practice it just means the rds autotune hunts around a bit sometimes. Annoying but I've just not got round to investigating further so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
