HeX

Since I purchased my FD in November, I noticed the FM tuner had very poor reception. But, it didn't really bother me since I play CDs 90% of the time. I noticed the antenna wasn't rolling up/down when the FM tuner was activiated. Figured the antenna mast was broken, hence why I wasn't getting good reception. Opened up the antenna assembly and replaced the plastic rack. Done deal. Still wouldn't roll up/down and poor reception continued. Later found out the antenna doesn't have to be extended to have more than 90% reception. Then I realize something must be disconneced or not functioning properly. I've checked the circuit board on the antenna assembly for continuity, A-OK.

I pull out the CD/FM tuner head unit to find out that the antenna connector is not connected to the head unit. There's nothing to connect it to! I found a some cut wires but nothing with a male connector to plug into the female port on the head unit.

I'm still fairly new to FDs and cars in general. I'm learning as I go. I took pics of what I found. Can anyone make sense of this? I'm hoping the cut wire with the two male connectors ("damantcon.jpg") is the one that plugs into the head unit and simply have to order that part.

Pics

Hyperite

What kind of head unit is it? If the antenna isn't going up or down, check the power lead that goes to it. It's on the harness (if you still have one), but I don't remember which pin. Look to see if there's one that isn't connected to anything on the other side. Also, as for reception, that dual cable thingy is for the main antenna as well as the reflector antenna on the rear windshield (not used in aftermarked stereos, typically). If you can find the other end of that cable...the one that actually goes to the antenna... you can buy one from radio shack or something, or even resolder the one you have. BUT if there's no place to plug it into the back of the stereo, you're screwed. From looking, my guess is it's a pioneer head unit. They use an external antenna lead, which is just a black cable with a jack the size of the antenna cable (makes sense). If this was cut off, it will be VERY hard to reattach, even if you had the wire that needed reattaching. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.
~Tom

HeX

Yeah it is a Pioneer head unit! Good guess man. I'll post better pics of the back the head unit and of the antenna assembly to see if you can make anything else out. That cut wire is all I found. The antenna assembly has the necessary harness wires connected to it. Don't leave me just yet.

HeX

Here's a little diagram of my understanding of what's going on here. The question marks indicate I don't know where the rest of the wires go/lead to. Hopefully you can fill me on on what's missing and where they lead to. I'm totally lost here.

diagram.jpg

Hyperite

Good diagram... ok, the power lead (is it blue or black on the antenna) goes to the harness that mates to the head unit....if this has been separated, you'll need to run a new power lead. From what I remember, the antenna is UP when not grounded, and down when the power lead is attached to a ground. If yours is down, it's either shorted out, or corrected to the harness wrong.

As for the lead, yeah, you'll definitely need to find where the wires go and trace them along to find the break. If it's just bare wires, that could explain the shorting on some body panel. You'll need to resolder a comparable wire and run it to the back of the pioneer.

Good luck!
~Tom