Audio, hi-fi and car audio - Dodgy AM reception in VW Sharan

Charlie.

Sounds like the common VW wiring problem to me. What you need to do is buy
the VW Wiring kit from www.bluespot.co.uk this will sort both your power
problem and your problem with AM radio reception in one foul swoop. Should
take no more than 5 mins to fit assuming you manage to get the headunit out.

Manny

"Charlie" wrote in message
om...
no replies??

The unit is a Clarion DBR4375R. It was obviously an amateur
installation, as well as the dodgy MW reception, the unit stays on
when the ignition is turned off (already flattened the battery once).

So basically I have 3 problems.

- dodgy reception on MW (basically I can receive the strongest
signals
like 909/693 and 1089, albeit a weak signal, but anything else is
basically non-existent. And I definately cannot scan for
stations, not
even the ones above.
- unit stays on when ignition turned off
- I can't get the unit out to see whats gone on behind.

1 Having done a few searches on this user group, I've come up with
some
possible solutions -

2 You've got no feed to the aerial booster (this should be the white
wire in the loom coming up to the OE head unit, although it can
sometimes be a black lead, moulded into the aerial extension in the
original loom).

3 The booster or the mast's shot - they're notoriously prone to
problems, especially the OE V.A.G. ones. I dumped mine in favour of
a
tri-band one, which also does the phone. FM signals will usually
"jump" a small break in a mast or an extension cable, wheras a MW or
LW signal won't - I can't remember exactly why ATM.

4 You might also want to check that the head unit itself's OK by
plugging in another aerial temporarily. Although the temporary
aerial
really ought to be earthed, just holding it above the car ought to
be
sufficient to prove that the head unit's OK.

5 VW have a fondness for amplifed antennas, which only work
with the factory fit radios. The power is supplied up the antenna
co-ax core. This shows up much worse on AM, than FM, so could be
your
problem. You can buy in-line adapters which supply the necessary
12V.

6 It might be the booster in the aerial (if fitted) this needs an
external
power source, that is cunningly supplied by the OEM unit.

7 Try running a new earth from the head unit to a nearby point on the
chassis - bare metal of course.

8 check that the new head unit is switching on the amplifier in the vw
aerial
some of the later vw aerials use phantom power( sent up through the
co-axial
cable ) if this is the case you will need a part form
autoleads.co.uk to
send 12V up the co-axial centre core part no. PC5-52.

9 check that the amplifier is receiving a live feed when the radio is
turned on, this should be supplied via the electric aerial feed from
the
radio usually Blue wire)

10 The aerial in my Galaxy is situated in the offside rear side
window.
This window is hinged and only opens a few inches like a very large
quarter
light. On the top, extremely well concealed, is a "press stud" type
fastening that folds into a small recess in the window reveal. It is
not
obvious when the window is open and impossible to see when the
window is
closed. The fastening must have "popped" off when the children
opened the
window and was not noticed. The aerial wires in the window are very
thin and
also difficult to see. Refix the poppers and all is well again.

First of all I need to get the unit out to have a look at it. The
front panel pops off as usual, leaving the main unit with the
"SECURITY" sticker on it. I've tried manouvering it with a couple of
coat hangers but no luck.

- How do I get the unit out?
- If I do which of the above is likely to be the answer
and how do I eliminate each one?
- If I took it to an motor / audio shop what could I expect to
be charged to sort this out?
- Is there a good site on the internet with instructions for
installing
and trouble shooting car stereo units?

All replies gratefully received.

Charlie