Poor FM reception

roadkillrob · 08-11-2009, 02:10 PM

I have a 2008 E93 and last year, FM radio and HD radio worked great all summer, put the car away for the winter, and this year the FM reception is terrible, noticed it right away when I got the car out for the year.

Super strong FM stations that never fade ever in any vehicle now fade in and out very easily and HD radio pretty much doesn't work at all.

I noticed in the last few days that when I turn off the car, suddenly FM works great - if the engine isn't running, FM is nice and strong, HD and HD2 work great, but sitting in the same exact spot without moving, if I start the car, the HD signal is completely lost and the radio reverts to FM which becomes a bit faint and will fade in and out as I drive.

Anyone else had this issue? I have disconnected the battery to reset everything and I actually pulled the radio today just to see if the antenna was still connected.

Too lazy to get it to the dealer to have it checked out as I don't use the radio that much and will get them to look at it when it is in for an oil change.

Rob

Blubaron79 · 08-11-2009, 02:15 PM

You still listen to FM??..

Siruis.. IPod.. so many better choices..

Sorry.. couldn't resist.

GregL · 08-11-2009, 02:53 PM

Sounds like a grounding issue.

ceb · 08-11-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregL

Sounds like a grounding issue.

...sounds like a bad ground...

jpsimon · 08-11-2009, 04:30 PM

i have this issue too Rob. Where is the ground that I should check?

VTECaddict · 08-11-2009, 04:44 PM

I've noticed radio reception is worse than my Accord...

jpsimon · 08-11-2009, 04:51 PM

my radio reception used to be fine, just recently the major stations that usually always come in fine have been unusable. I always use my iphone to listen to music, but every once in a while I like the radio.... but not anymore.

ceb · 08-11-2009, 08:19 PM

...around the time the problem arose?

jpsimon · 08-11-2009, 11:16 PM

no

zamboni · 08-12-2009, 02:08 AM

I had the same problem with my E46 FM signal is terrible on some spots.

08-11-2009, 02:10 PM	#1
roadkillrob Major General 875 Rep 5,457 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	Poor FM reception - only when car is running?? I have a 2008 E93 and last year, FM radio and HD radio worked great all summer, put the car away for the winter, and this year the FM reception is terrible, noticed it right away when I got the car out for the year. Super strong FM stations that never fade ever in any vehicle now fade in and out very easily and HD radio pretty much doesn't work at all. I noticed in the last few days that when I turn off the car, suddenly FM works great - if the engine isn't running, FM is nice and strong, HD and HD2 work great, but sitting in the same exact spot without moving, if I start the car, the HD signal is completely lost and the radio reverts to FM which becomes a bit faint and will fade in and out as I drive. Anyone else had this issue? I have disconnected the battery to reset everything and I actually pulled the radio today just to see if the antenna was still connected. Too lazy to get it to the dealer to have it checked out as I don't use the radio that much and will get them to look at it when it is in for an oil change. Rob __________________ 2022 X3M Brooklyn Grey 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
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08-11-2009, 02:15 PM	#2
Blubaron79 Brigadier General 1435 Rep 4,724 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i xDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	You still listen to FM??.. Siruis.. IPod.. so many better choices.. Sorry.. couldn't resist. __________________ Current: 2021 M340i xDrive Previous: '18 340i xDrive; '15 335 xDrive; '14 435i xDrive; '09 335 E92 xDrive
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08-11-2009, 02:53 PM	#3
GregL Brigadier General 98 Rep 3,618 Posts Drives: 2016 CLA45 AMG Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: GTA iTrader: (4)	Sounds like a grounding issue. __________________ 2016 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 2013 Mercedes-Benz B250 - Gone 2010 Mercedes-Benz C350 4Matic - Gone 2006 BMW 330xi - Gone 2001 Infiniti QX4 - Gone
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08-11-2009, 04:30 PM	#5
jpsimon Team Zissou 3078 Rep 10,198 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	i have this issue too Rob. Where is the ground that I should check?
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08-11-2009, 04:44 PM	#6
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	I've noticed radio reception is worse than my Accord... __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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08-11-2009, 04:51 PM	#7
jpsimon Team Zissou 3078 Rep 10,198 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	my radio reception used to be fine, just recently the major stations that usually always come in fine have been unusable. I always use my iphone to listen to music, but every once in a while I like the radio.... but not anymore.
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08-11-2009, 08:19 PM	#8
ceb NHTSA Nazi 28 Rep 1,983 Posts Drives: 335ix Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (1)	Did you make any modifications.... ...around the time the problem arose?
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08-11-2009, 11:16 PM	#9
jpsimon Team Zissou 3078 Rep 10,198 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	no
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08-12-2009, 02:08 AM	#10
zamboni I want to drive a Zamboni 1132 Rep 5,558 Posts Drives: 13 E93 M3 18 F80 M3 16 K71 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monte Sereno, CA iTrader: (7) Garage List 16 K71 F800GT [10.00] 2018 F80 M3 [10.00] 2013 BMW E93 M3 [10.00]	I had the same problem with my E46 FM signal is terrible on some spots. __________________ 18 F80 Imola Red 6MT 16 K71 F800GT Montego Blue 13 E93 M3 Melbourne Red 2000 E46,2006 E90,09 E82,13 E93 328i,14 F30 335i,18 F80 M3 My next vehicle would be a Zamboni
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