Radio Reception

[wellswa]

Anyone ever try replacing the trunk antenna wires on a 2004 XLR with shielded coax cable for better radio reception? I've heard it may work if you leave about 6" of the core wire exposed.

 

[RubyRod]

Is this for AM reception or FM reception? When I replaced my TouchScreen with an aftermarket receiver I discovered that there are 2 separate antenna wires in the XLR. The Coax antenna is ONLY for the AM receiver. According to the tech reps at Crutchfield the XLR OEM TouchScreen has 2 separate tuners. One for AM & a separate one for FM. The FM signals are NOT received via the Coax antenna wire. Only the AM signals are. The FM signals are received via an unshielded pair of discrete wires contained in the multi-pin connector that plugs into the rear of the TouchScreen. To make matters worse there are 2 electronic modules that are connected between the Antenna Plate under the Trunk Lid and the antenna wires. It is possible that one of these electronic modules is causing the poor reception you are getting but I suspect not. I don't know of any way to test the electronic modules except to try replacing them. Since you can't obtain new or rebuilt modules you'd have to try used modules - if you can find them. I doubt its worth the trouble.

My OEM TouchScreen got REALLY lousy FM reception. I never tried AM. I live in a rural area without any radio broadcasters so I have to receive signals from over 50 miles away. It doesn't make for an optimal situation. When I replaced the TouchScreen the new aftermarket receiver gets MUCH better FM reception. Most aftermarket receivers use a combined AM/FM tuner that receives both AM & FM signals from the Coax antenna wire.

Hope this helps.