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Prado Aerial – Radio Reception Problems; Re-Join broken Window/Glass Connection;

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  • Prado Aerial – Radio Reception Problems; Re-Join broken Window/Glass Connection;

    [Background: Many cars these days have the aerial for the car radio embedded in the glass surface of one or more of the vehicle windows. A Wire is added to the surface of the glass much like a demister. Many Prado models use this method. If the vehicle in question does not have a retractable 'stick' aerial/antennae, then it probable has its antenna etched on the windows.]

    Following a short trip to Lightning Ridge, the electrical contacts of our 7-Way Trailer connection required checking.

    Co-incidentally, our Car Radio head-unit was off being repaired, so there was no radio in the car at the time.

    To investigate the trailer wiring, the rear interior trim within the back of the vehicle, on the passenger side was removed, to allow clear access to the wiring [Image: Green Boxed area].

    Tragically, I broke off one of the two electrical contacts for the (side, rear) window mounted Car Radio Aerial / antennae/ [Image: Red Boxed area].

    Bugger!



    I tried to solder the little sucker back, but it was totally uncooperative. Gravity was just adding to a neat pool of solder on my protective drop cloth. Double Bugger!.

    These are several products on the market, that act as a ‘conductive glue’, for situations where soldering is not convenient or possible. Typically they are adhesives that have a metallic or graphite content that can provide a conductive solution.

    I already had some of the Conducting Silver Lacquer, and now used that with some ‘Wire Glue’ also from Jaycar Electronics to re-attach the aerial connector back onto the glass of the rear window.

    Checked continuity, …all ok; Bingo!

    Re-installed window.

    In the meantime, the car radio had re-appeared, and following installation, worked fine, except that the AM/FM radio was non existent. The Digital Radio [DAB] was ok, but had a separate aerial.

    The Prado aerial system includes an RF amplifier [Image: Blue Boxed area], which looked, ok, but requires a 12v supply, which was absent.

    The 12v connection which supplied the RF amplifier at the back of the vehicle was faulty. This 12v supply, plus the two shielded cable connections, are all wrapped in protective foam, and run from behind the radio, to the window panels at the back of the car. [See Photo: The roll of solder is sitting on the cables that run to the rear aerial.

    Adjacent to the radio, there is a multi-way (20+ wire) connector and for reasons I cannot explain, this ‘hot’ side of this connection was faulty; (possibly a fault due to the multiple times that the radio had been removed/reinstalled?).

    Using the ignition power located at the back of the radio to supply power to the RF App was straightforward.

    OK! All working fine. Job Done!

    bworth




    The above image shows the window removed, and the metallic contact on the glass, where the short stub of electrical wire should connect.



    This image shows the repaired window re-fitted. The feint wires forming the aerial can also be just observed.



    The above image shows three 'cushioned' wires being subdued by the roll of solder. Two shielded cables, and one power connection. Could the smaller of these shielded cables be for a reversing camera??




    These TWO Schematic shows the general terrain...
    Attached Files
    bworth
    Junior Member
    Last edited by bworth; 04-02-2016, 10:59 PM.
    2006 120 Auto D4D, UHF, Toyota Alloy Bullbar, Towbar, 2xDIN Audio/GPS/Bluetooth Unit, Old SuperOscar HID spots, Stock standard body, suspension etc, pimped frig. [I]Wish List: [/I]Dual Battery, Roof Racks, Awning, Drawers.

  • #2
    Very interesting. I replaced the head unit in my car with a Sony DVD combo. I hooked the antenna plug into the back of the unit and radio reception is shite. I guess there is a misplaced wire for the booster. I pulled the unit and installed an aerial onto the roof rack and fed this straight into the head unit but reception is still shite.
    Dave
    Views expressed are mine alone and are not intended to compromise the integrity of my employer nor offend those who may read such views.
    Bugger Bali, get out and see Australia before we sell it all to China.

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi Dave,

      Jaycar sell an old style multi-section (retractable) aerial for about $10, so if the head unit is working, then plugging this one in and waving it skywards should give you a base signal 'expectation'...



      This is an older image which shows the 20+ way cable connection harness in the PINK circle. The FACE of the Radio head unit is pointing down towards the hand brake, and the Blue circle shows the white 12v power connection [Plug+Socket] for the RF Amplifier at the rear of the car. The wire itself is Black. Immediately to the left of the Blue circle, you can see a small length of Red, and Yellow wires side by side, there will be the 'power' & 'ignition' to the radio.

      Don't know if this might help, but you never know!

      Best Wishes,
      bworth

      BTW, this image (ScrenGrab+ Text+Effects etc) was created by the FREE version of a program called "Screenspresso".
      bworth
      Junior Member
      Last edited by bworth; 05-02-2016, 11:39 PM.
      2006 120 Auto D4D, UHF, Toyota Alloy Bullbar, Towbar, 2xDIN Audio/GPS/Bluetooth Unit, Old SuperOscar HID spots, Stock standard body, suspension etc, pimped frig. [I]Wish List: [/I]Dual Battery, Roof Racks, Awning, Drawers.

      Comment


      • #4
        Has anyone tried the amplifiers sold on ebay.

        Comment


        • #5
          Thanks Bworth. I would have expected to see something in the Sony wiring diagram, usually there's a blue antenna trigger wire. Next time I feel like pulling apart the facia I'll give your suggestion a go.
          Dave
          Views expressed are mine alone and are not intended to compromise the integrity of my employer nor offend those who may read such views.
          Bugger Bali, get out and see Australia before we sell it all to China.

          Comment


          • #6
            Nearly 10 years on this forum now and still learning new things.

            I fitted a new Alpine Head unit to my 120 today and had the same reported issue of poor radio reception. I had thought the Blue/white wire from the back of the head unit was to power a sub or an amp however it needs to be connected to power the amp for the radio aerial.

            Removed head unit again, connected blue/white wires and the original prado aerial is working again as good as it was.

            I have considered an after market aerial but we live within a reasonable range of the AM/FM transmitters and the few times we are in fringe areas doesnt warrant it for me
            Cheers

            Daz

            2004 TD GXL Auto Prado

            Comment


            • #7
              I put a alpine head unit in today. You need the blue wire on the radio out put, to power up pin 8 on the car loom, which is to power the amp. Much much better radio and head unit then the old one.

              Comment


              • #8
                Brainstorm! I'm thinking about upgrading to an Alpine unit. Can you tell me what model you bought? Did everything work as expected? Did you install the unit? Appreciate any feedback
                Cheers Brian. 2006 Grande D4D

                Comment

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