Radio weak

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by Mad Mallard, Feb 3, 2014.

  1. Mad Mallard

    Mad Mallard the mad mallard

    I finally installed a HU after running without one for a long while.

    went with the Kenwood 955.

    everything works, except pulling in radio stations is TERRIBLE compared to the OEM, and to the last Kenwood I had in there.

    Did I miss something in the install? I think i seating the antenna deeply, and reconnected the ground plug to the stereo-holder bracket...

    any troubleshooting suggestions would be appreciated.
     
  2. Holc13WRX

    Holc13WRX Supporting Member

    I have had the same issues with aftermarket HU. I know for Alpine you can buy some kind of add on antenna to make reception better. I'm not sure about kenwood, but I would check into it
     
  3. Mad Mallard

    Mad Mallard the mad mallard

    i have had 3 different aftermarkets in there and never had such a weak station pull... :(

    i dont want to believe its just this particular HU because its such a nice one...
     
  4. integroid

    integroid Supporting Member

    Are you sure you hooked up the antennae on power wire from the radio to the wiring harness? It should be a blue w/white stripe on the radio harness. Even though the car doesnt have an actual power antennae that goes up and down, it still needs the power to the antennae amplifier from what I remember.
     
  5. Mad Mallard

    Mad Mallard the mad mallard

    orly? i didn't throw it all back together in case i needed to get back there..

    i wonder why that would make a diff... but i'll try it..

    edit: wait, its a powered receiver antennae in the oem ?
     
    Last edited: Feb 3, 2014
  6. integroid

    integroid Supporting Member

    Yes....but it has been almost 10 years since I worked on a WRX.....but I am pretty sure that was the case with my old WRX wagon.
     
  7. Mad Mallard

    Mad Mallard the mad mallard

    WELL, shucky darn, thx, that would explain alot.

    and if i'm running passive, then i'm surprised i'm getting any HD channel at all. o_O
     
  8. KGraska

    KGraska Member

    This is correct^^^

    You have to hook up the power wire for the antenna to the remote wire on the Kenwood head unit. The antenna doesn't have a power mast but the amp that powers the antenna still needs power. Hook up the wire and your reception will be night and day.
     
  9. Mad Mallard

    Mad Mallard the mad mallard

    connected and now i can haz radio~
     
  10. Mad Mallard

    Mad Mallard the mad mallard

    update, i can haz HD radio sub channels too.

    very important for our crumby main FM radio market....
     

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