Mazda 3 Sport GT 2008 Poor radio reception?

[vincent9993]

We just took it home last night and we notice the reception is very poor. We live about 100 miles from the city but we cannot receive any radio stations. The odd radio station that get through have a lot of inteference. The weird thing is it does not get better or worse if I unscrew the antenna. Could it be possible the antenna is not hooked up to the radio? How can I check this?

Thank in advance.

 

[Sacrilicious]

oh dang...it does sound like your antenna isn't hooked up properly. it's definitely time to take it back to the dealer and tell them what's up. make sure to mention that when you unscrew/screw in the antenna, nothing changes.

 

[Hirudin]

Being a 100 mile trip (?) you'll probably want to double check that the antenna is plugged into the deck.

If you're not proficient with wiring and electricity you may not want to do this...

Quick How To: (this is based on my '07 MS3, but it's prolly the same)

I guess some people might disconnect the negative cable from the battery before doing this, I personally wouldn't though.
Remove long trim dash piece above deck and glovebox:
-Open glovebox
-Pull trim thing about 5" from the right end (above the middle of the compartment roughly), it should pop out a little
-Continue to the left pulling the trim piece out (there aren't any screws) It should be pretty loose by the time you get to the left (driver's) end
-Pull the right side off (it's attached differently there) by pulling toward the steering wheel; it should be very easy
Pull deck out:
There are 2 philips-head screws under that trim thing. Take those out.
Pull the deck out, it'll come out in one big piece. There's a bunch of wires and junk back there; make sure you don't pull them out and/or let them touch anything metal that could cause a short or something (not likely, but possible I suppose).

The antenna cable is a pretty thick cable (~1/4") with a pointed plug. I'd try the radio again with and without the antenna plugged into the deck to see if it makes a difference.

 

[vincent9993]

Thanks, I'll try this this PM. That's a great help.

 

[vincent9993]

Took the radio out but everything is connected properly. I un-hooked it and re-hooked. Might be a placebo fix but I think it's a little better but I still cannot get good receptions... My Audi A4 has no problem receiving the same radio stations here.

At least there's a difference in reception now when I unscrew the antenna... I guess a visit to the dealer is in order next Monday.

 

[~JoJo~]

i notice with my speed3 that I have very poor reception for AM radio. I get interference when I gas and they clear up when the thorttle is off and car just rolling.

 

[vincent9993]

Radi reception fixed

The wife brought it back to dealer and there was an antena connection disconnected in one of the pillards. Works as expected now.

 

[Dream]

My reception sucks too, maybe ill bring mine in too.

 

[Jays07MS3]

My reception sucks too, maybe ill bring mine in too.

Mine sucks too but not that bad. I might have them look at it when I take my car in for the OBDII Emissions recall. Glad to hear yours is working now!

 

[fragchild]

Both my speed3 and the wifeys normal 3 have horrid reception. We just listen to xm and sirius so we've ignored it. But, I would like to get it fixed. Do you know which pillar it was?

 

[vincent9993]

According the the workorder, it was the right rear pillard on her 3 Sport GT. It says the cable was disconnected. Could this be a recurring problem on the assembly line?

 

[fragchild]

Well I just checked both cars and it is connected. Guess I'll have to take them in. I'll post what they find. Thanks for the quick response.