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Rampant XM signal dropouts ...

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by mdb654, Oct 31, 2006.

  1. mdb654

    mdb654 Junior Member

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    I was wondering if anyone can help me diagnose this. I've had the AGT Sportscaster for about 4 months and its worked just great. The signal around town and out of town, even way out in the mountains, was fine. Suddenly, for no reason that I can discern, I now lose the signal constantly all over town. And its not always the same place (although it generally is in more obscured areas, I think). I'll drive to work one day, and the signal will be fine. And then I'll drive to work the next day on the same route and it will be dropping out every 5 seconds. I've even had the car in park and had the signal come in and out while I was sitting still.

    I have an '04 and live around Raleigh, NC. I use a direct connection to the FM antenna input (not the transmitter).

    I am running the antenna wire from below the dash, behind the glove box, down the side of car beneath all the cosmetics, toward the rear of the hatch (on the side), then up beneath the trim inside the hatch opening and then out from behind the trim at the top of the hatch and then emerging to the roof between the weather stripping for the hatch and the body of the car. So the antenna was sitting on the roof just beside the FM antenna. I recently removed the antenna from the roof after it was suggested that pressure on the wire from where the wire passes underneath the weather stripping may affect the reception. So now I have the antenna just sitting on the hatch cover. After I did that, I had one day of perfect service, and then this morning had the usual routine of unbearable 'no signals'. Grrrr!

    Any ideas? Has anyone else been having problems in Raleigh? Has anyone else been having problems with the Sportscaster, or running the antenna as I did?

    Thanks very much for any help,

    mdb
     
    #1 mdb654, Oct 31, 2006
  2. DavidTO

    DavidTO New Member

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    I don't have XM, but basic troubleshooting would suggest:

    1) checking the connection for your antenna.

    2) resetting the XM receiver by disconnecting it from power, and then powering it back up.
     
    #2 DavidTO, Oct 31, 2006
  3. Leo

    Leo Leo

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DavidTO @ Oct 31 2006, 11:58 AM) [snapback]341221[/snapback]</div>
    I had the same problem with an XM Roadie radio. It turned out to be that the technician had scraped off the insulation of the antenna while installing it, and it began to touch the chassis.
    In my car, the radio antenna runs into the dash, left to the left window post, out to the windshield weatherstripping, under the weather stripping to the roof (just over the mirror). I am now getting extremely good reception. At work, I can even get reception inside the top level of the indoor garage. I think it's picking up a reflection through the main door of the garage. It seems as long as I have some kind of daylight, I have XM reception.
     
    #3 Leo, Oct 31, 2006
  4. Marlin

    Marlin New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Leo @ Oct 31 2006, 11:32 AM) [snapback]341233[/snapback]</div>
    That's my thought. The antenna wire was run next to something sharp or rough, which due to vibrations has cut through the antenna wire insulation.

    Remove and inspect the antenna wire for abrasions.
     
    #4 Marlin, Oct 31, 2006
  5. mdb654

    mdb654 Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marlin @ Oct 31 2006, 12:26 PM) [snapback]341312[/snapback]</div>
    Ooh, I'm not looking forward to doing that! But it seems that it may be the solution, so I guess I'll have to. If the insulation is worn away, is the antenna toast, or do you think that just putting tape over it so it doesn't touch anything will solve it?
     
    #5 mdb654, Oct 31, 2006
  6. Marlin

    Marlin New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mdb654 @ Oct 31 2006, 01:35 PM) [snapback]341323[/snapback]</div>
    Depends on how badly it is damaged. It sure doesn't hurt to try taping up any damage you find and drive around with the antenna wire loose in the cabin for a couple of days to see if that was the problem.

    It may not be the problem. You could have a loose antenna connection at the radio. You could also have a break inside the wire. It could be something else entirely, but it sure sounds like an antenna problem to me.

    But, removing the antenna wire will allow these to be diagnosed. Worst case is that you waste 2 hours removing and reinstalling the antenna.
     
    #6 Marlin, Oct 31, 2006
  7. PriusInsight

    PriusInsight New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marlin @ Oct 31 2006, 03:11 PM) [snapback]341348[/snapback]</div>
    If it just the insulation that is torn and the antenna is shorting out, then a better solution than electrical tape is "Brush-On Electrical Tape". IIt is a liquid t will cover the tear in the insulation but not have the problems of the adhesive on tape or the tape peeling in the future.
     
    #7 PriusInsight, Nov 1, 2006
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