Radio installation problems

[gary6019]

I'm installing a new radio into my Skoda Fabia (which was manufactured in 2006, and is a Diesel Fabia Ambiente Tdi Pd 100, with an AXR engine). I'm pretty sure the previous radio was the original (factory fitted) one.

 

I found two really helpful posts on this site (http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/196288-oem-wiring-loom-colours-pins-for-stereos/ and http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/258013-how-to-replace-fabia-aerial-base/), which have helped a great deal.

 

However, I still have two unresolved problems, and would be very grateful if anyone has any ideas which may help.

 

Firstly, whilst I can get perfect FM reception, I don't get any AM reception at all (it's non-existent, rather than poor - I just get static). I used a multi-meter to prove there's no break in the wiring (from the aerial base unit down to the aerial jack which plugs into the radio). Changing the aerial antenna also makes no difference, and I get the same problem with two different car radios (so the radio itself is unlikely be at fault). If I remove the antenna, FM changes from being perfect to being very faint, but is still audible (which suggests that the aerial and its wiring are probably okay). My next step will be to try an inline aerial booster (such as this one - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Car-Aerial-Antenna-Booster-Amplifier/dp/B004SO5FUE), unless anyone has any other suggestions?

 

The second problem is that on my car, none of the wires in the black connector (which are so helpfully described here http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/196288-oem-wiring-loom-colours-pins-for-stereos/) seem to be at 12V when the ignition is switched on AND at zero volts when it is switched off. I've measured them all with a multi-meter. So I'm currently using pin5 for the yellow lead on the new radio, and pin7 for the red lead (pin4 doesn't seem to behave as described in that post). This works, but it means my radio remains on, even when the ignition is off (so I have to remember to turn the radio off whenever I leave the car, which is workable, but not ideal). 

 

 

[wiredsoftware]

The original stereo had a built in booster for the aerial, so for aftermarket units you will need one of those, that should solve your reception issues.

The switched live is brown/red wire, certainly was for the 2001 model I have. When you turn the key on, it becomes live, but note that it doesn't turn off again until you turn the key off AND REMOVE IT from the lock.

Edited 10 January, 2016 by wiredsoftware

[gary6019]

Thanks very much for your reply. I will buy an aerial booster as you suggest. There are a number on the market, so if you (or anyone else) on here has a recommendation about which one to get, I would be most interested.

 

The brown/red wire (pin4) currently has zero volts regardless of whether the ignition is on or off (rather than having 12v when the ignition is on, and zero volts when the key is removed). I believe that the audio system only uses one fuse (number F45, which I've checked), so the lack of power in this wire is hard to explain (unless there's a break in the wire somewhere, which is probably going to be hard to find).

[poiuytre111]

The original radio supplies power down the aerial lead to an active aerial. If you have one of the power feeds missing, this may explain why power is not getting to the aerial making your radio "deaf". When fitting an alternative radio, people buy an adapter that intercepts the aerial cable after the radio to provide the power that a skoda radio would normally feed. A diy adapter of this sort could be very simple.

[TMB]

Thanks very much for your reply. I will buy an aerial booster as you suggest. There are a number on the market, so if you (or anyone else) on here has a recommendation about which one to get, I would be most interested.

 

 

 

You probably need a PC5-90 booster. There are loads on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PC5-90-SKODA-FABIA-AMPLIFIED-ISO-DIN-AERIAL-REPLACEMENT-ADAPTOR-MAST-ANTENNA-/150713521002?hash=item231739d36a:m:mKjv01ramnvgKKsbm1QAuqQ

 

There is also a PC5-52 model which has different aerial connections, so check which connections you need before buying http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autoleads-PC5-52-VAG-VW-Skoda-Audi-Seat-Amplified-Booster-ISO-Car-Aerial-Antenna-/251309741869?hash=item3a833a572d:g:VpwAAOxyD9JR8EGo

 

And a helpful thread with video....

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/375915-stereo-advice/

Edited 11 January, 2016 by TMB

[vindaloo]

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/348302-no-power-to-radio-checked-fuse/?p=4181409

 

Pin 4 - Fuse 10 5A

Pin 5/7 - Fuse 45 20A.

 

J.

[wiredsoftware]

Odd that you're not seeing +12V on the brown wire with red stripe - I'm assuming that you're checking it on the black connector not the brown one? They both have a wire that colour, but on the brown connector it's for the right-hand front speaker. I take it then that the original Skoda head unit didn't work properly with the ignition either? 

[gary6019]

My wiring problem is now solved !  I checked fuse number 10 and found that it had blown. When I replaced it, pin 4 started giving me 12v with the keys in place, and zero volts with them removed (which is exactly what I need).  None of the online material (or indeed my Haynes manual) mentions fuse number 10, so the advice provided on this forum has been priceless.

 

The next job is to look at those links that you've posted regarding aerial boosters.....

 

When I posted on this forum for the first time (a couple of days ago), I didn't know what to expect, but I've been hugely impressed with what I've seen. You guys really do know your stuff !