Aftermarket radio FM reception
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4
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06 W203
Aftermarket radio FM reception
I have a 06 c230 (w203). I installed an aftermarket radio and all works well. I see that behind my factory unit I have 2 antenna cables, but my pioneer unit only has 1 antenna jack. No matter what cable I plug in I dont get great FM reception. Can anyone tell me if they have had any similar problem or how I can correct this problem. THanks!!!!
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 423
Likes: 1
From: East Coast
C230 coupe 2002
I have a 06 c230 (w203). I installed an aftermarket radio and all works well. I see that behind my factory unit I have 2 antenna cables, but my pioneer unit only has 1 antenna jack. No matter what cable I plug in I dont get great FM reception. Can anyone tell me if they have had any similar problem or how I can correct this problem. THanks!!!!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
06 W203
Well I plugged it in to both antennas. One antenna had real bad static and the other sounded a bit better. I bought everything scosche so I don't think my equipment is a problem. I have the pioneer d3 and have read of some people reporting the same problem. Any ideas if it is suppose to be like that cause of the unit or something else can be wrong with it. Thank you.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
'06 C230
I have a 06 c230 (w203). I installed an aftermarket radio and all works well. I see that behind my factory unit I have 2 antenna cables, but my pioneer unit only has 1 antenna jack. No matter what cable I plug in I dont get great FM reception. Can anyone tell me if they have had any similar problem or how I can correct this problem. THanks!!!!
dennis
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: New Joisey
13 Jeep JKU Sahara w/4" lift Kit & the works,2015 Toyota Sienna XLE,2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
learned it the hard way and switched back to OEM HU and all is good. I don't know but for some reason the Mrecedes is not good with aftermarket HU's unless you just run a seperate antenna and wire it up, but for sure the built in antenna WILL NOT WORK............these ghermans.......they think they know all.........lololololol
javvy
javvy
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 2
From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
an aftermarket antenna signal amplifier will take care of the problem...it's that easy. no one should expect to get better signal after putting an aftermarket stereo in a car that requires an antenna adapter.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
From: Ont, Canada
2005 C230K coupe
Just been down the same road, tried a few things and finally managed to get reception as good as OEM. Replaced a base audio 20 with JVC double-din HU. Separate post coming up later for that.
First, used the recommended Scosche powered adapter and found different characteristics to the reception, depending on which antenna plug was connected (yellow or black). Reception was pretty much crap in either case.
Next, tried moving the power connection from the antenna adapter to pin 13 (black wire) on the radio connector. No difference.
Googled the matter extensively and found some VW guys having the same issue. Found mention of a DUAL WIRE antenna adapter. This takes BOTH antenna connectors and brings them down to the single standard antenna connector. Model is Connects2 CT27AA25. This item doesn't seem to be that widely available - I bought mine from a seller in the UK.
After installing this, reception is PERFECT - easily as good as OEM for both AM and FM stations. If you install this and reception isn't good the first time, just reverse the two antenna connectors. I didn't use or try the power lead on the adapter. I left the antenna wire on pin #13 of the radio connector, which seems to work just fine in this scenario. There may be a similar antenna adapter available without power lead - I would imagine this would work just as well with antenna power applied to pin #13.
First, used the recommended Scosche powered adapter and found different characteristics to the reception, depending on which antenna plug was connected (yellow or black). Reception was pretty much crap in either case.
Next, tried moving the power connection from the antenna adapter to pin 13 (black wire) on the radio connector. No difference.
Googled the matter extensively and found some VW guys having the same issue. Found mention of a DUAL WIRE antenna adapter. This takes BOTH antenna connectors and brings them down to the single standard antenna connector. Model is Connects2 CT27AA25. This item doesn't seem to be that widely available - I bought mine from a seller in the UK.
After installing this, reception is PERFECT - easily as good as OEM for both AM and FM stations. If you install this and reception isn't good the first time, just reverse the two antenna connectors. I didn't use or try the power lead on the adapter. I left the antenna wire on pin #13 of the radio connector, which seems to work just fine in this scenario. There may be a similar antenna adapter available without power lead - I would imagine this would work just as well with antenna power applied to pin #13.
Last edited by KillerPancake; Feb 20, 2011 at 08:07 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,054
Likes: 11
From: fort worth, tx
06 C230 SS 6spd
Just buy an antenna adapter. It makes you have to tap into a 12v power source. I just tapped the aac wire on the radio harness. Then plug the antenna plug that is black and purple into the adapter. I got my adapter from scosche along with my dash kit. Have perfect reception
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: LA/San Fernando Valley
2003 C230K Sedan
when you say antenna signal amplifier, is this what you mean?
http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-Volksw.../dp/B00009UHQQ
i currently have this and it does pretty much nothing
http://www.amazon.com/Metra-40-VW12-...ref=pd_sim_e21
http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-Volksw.../dp/B00009UHQQ
i currently have this and it does pretty much nothing
http://www.amazon.com/Metra-40-VW12-...ref=pd_sim_e21
