Hoping someone can help, I’ve had to install an aftermarket radio in my Fabia mk 1.

 

Firstly, although I have purchased a signal booster in it, the radio doesn’t pick up half as many radio stations as the original Skoda radio. Is it worth trying a more expensive booster? Any recommendations?

 

Secondly, the radio never shows the correct date on it, always 1st Jan. I’ve changed the date before, but then it just resets after I’ve switched the engine off. Interestingly the time does the same thing, but then auto adjusts itself as I’m driving along to the correct time. The display doesn’t also always display the radio station, although I suspect that could be a separate issue. Could the date and time issue be caused by me not wiring the radio up right?

Date and time could be because the battery power and ignition wire are mixed up. This means that rather than simply getting a signal to go turn off, all power is cut instead, and the headunit loses all settings (probably the remembered radio stations too). If your Mk1 Fabia has the older style iso connectors (2 separate plugs for basic functionality, possibly 3rd or more for cd-changer or other additions), VAG swapped battery feed and ignition compared to the standard. It also means the radio will receive all its power through your ignition, which may not be up to the task. Best to remedy this sooner rather than later.

 

Depending on the radio, you may be able to get a wiring harnass for your brand of stereo to connect to your car's connector. Worst case, you could get an extension for the one plug that contains these 2 wires, and modify that to cross them over.

 

If your car is new enough to be equipped with the newer fakra/quadlock connector (single big square), this does not apply. If this is the case, something else is causing your issue.

As I recall, I think it was a square plug on the back of the radio.

 

i’ve ordered a new signal booster so will see if that helps with the poor reception. 

 

Once that arrives I will pull the whole unit out and see what’s behind there!

 

there is a car radio place just around the corner who will look at it, but I’d rather try and fix it myself first 

Ok so some photos of my radio wiring.

 

The blue wire from the signal booster is connected into the blue and white radio wire, which I think from the manual is remote 12v. Anyhow that’s how I interpreted from the manual how it should be installed