Radio Issues

[castlemaine Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close castlemaine]

Hi All

Picked up 150GXL, about three weeks ago and am very pleased overall with. Although like another post the mudflaps are crap.When I get a few mods I'll put up a proper post.

At the moment I'm trying to work out why on AM stations 612 4QR(ABC) and 1116 4BC, there seems to be a frequency disturbance. These are Brisbane stations. The whistling is so bad that you can't listen to it. It seems to be worst on those two stations. No problems on FM. My 90 series Prado and Corolla don't have a problem.

Does anyone else have this problem? Is there an easy solution like a supressor, etc?

Cheers
Ivan

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Re: Radio Issues

Easy solution, don't listen to AM, sorry Ivan I couldn't help myself. Sounds like it might not be earth properly.
Warranty Job.

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: Radio Issues

You could mount an external AM aerial to try and rectify this issue. You haven't mentioned if any aftermarket gear is attached so hard to comment on anything and I do realise it is recent to the family. Did you have an anti corrosion/rust inhibiter device fitted as I believe these "can" cause interference nut don't take that as the root of the cause. Do you get this continuoisly and if so is this only when in Brisbane or out in the Country regions as well? Does the interference change as the vehicle speed changes or when the fan is turned on to different speeds, wipers, etc... Do you have anything running off the inverter?

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Radio Issues

Yup same as 120, the on-glass antennas are crap. Fit an external antenna as has already been suggested.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Re: Radio Issues

I can pick those stations in Brisbane with no issues, I would be talking to toyota first, you should have to fit extra antenna's to pick up radio in metro brisbane.

[castlemaine Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close castlemaine]

Re: Radio Issues

Rob …
I knew someone was going to tell me to listen to FM but I love the ‘shock-jocks’ giving it to the pollies on both sides plus the ‘Fishing Talkback’ is on 4BC.
I have notified the dealer and will keep you informed.

Schaffer …
Has been the go since new with no electrical additions. Hope it isn't the floormats,

D4D …
Broken 2 antennas on my 90 series from backing up out of trees in shopping centre carparks of all things. Thought the windscreen antenna was a great idea till now.

Thanks for replies.

Cheers, Ivan

[castlemaine Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close castlemaine]

Re: Radio Issues

So, contacted dealer and after discussion with service manager the reason apparently is the aerial in the windscreen and tinting makes the reception even worse.
After much debate with myself, I'm going to install an external aerial on the bullbar as I do listen to AM a fair bit. The dealer is doing me a good deal.
Don't know if I'm allowed to mention the names of the salesman and dealership but they have been great.
Thanks for the feedback and hope this helps others.
Cheers, Ivan

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

Re: Radio Issues

I listen to AM (ABC) a fair bit as well. Was warned about tinting effect on reception, fitted metallic tint and noticed no change in reception even when travelling in the country.

[castlemaine Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close castlemaine]

Re: Radio Issues

Had the radio guy come out today and he isolated the problem ... electronic rust-proofing device. As soon as he unplugged it the interference stopped. An external aerial would not have helped. Glad he tested it rather than stick the aerial on and leave. Refused to charge me for his time, too.
Cheers 8)

[bushwacked Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close bushwacked]

Re: Radio Issues

I have to say I find the AM radio performance of the Prado one of its strengths.

Tested it today on a run from Port Augusta to Alice Springs.

Found ABC Port Pirie (639AM) was fine to a bit north of Coober Pedy (over 600km), and still listenable until a bit north of Cadney Homestead (780km).

ABC Alice Springs (a smaller transmitter on 783AM) was just listenable about 50km south of Kulgera (distance about 325km), and very clear by Erldunda (200km).

Another way the Prado makes travelling remote areas that bit more pleasurable!

Bushwacked

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

Re: Radio Issues

Had the radio guy come out today and he isolated the problem ... electronic rust-proofing device. As soon as he unplugged it the interference stopped. An external aerial would not have helped. Glad he tested it rather than stick the aerial on and leave. Refused to charge me for his time, too.
Cheers 8)

The more I read about the electronic rust proofing devices, the more I am convinced it may not be the best way to go wrt the new 150 Prado.
Somewhere in the fine print just recently I remember reading (but can"t remember where) that the electronic rust proofing "electrodes" should not be mounted within 1 meter of the "in glass" antenna, else you run the risk of interference....so that excludes using the rear quarter panels as a site for the electrodes in my opinion, and thus this may reduce the effectiveness (if there is any effectiveness to start with as some people argue) of the rust proofing electric field.
Just drove to Sydney and back in 150 Prado GXL and whilst there was no real problems with the radio, and no buzzing etc, the reception is definately not as good as with other cars we have had...so if you are considering travelling anywhere outside city limits and you like to listen to the radio, AM or FM, it may pay to consider installing an external antenna....perhaps? We definatley do not have the radio range as we have had in the past, and seeme dto be very regularly searching for a stronger statio to listen to.

[castlemaine Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close castlemaine]

Re: Radio Issues

Had the radio guy come out today and he isolated the problem ... electronic rust-proofing device. As soon as he unplugged it the interference stopped. An external aerial would not have helped. Glad he tested it rather than stick the aerial on and leave. Refused to charge me for his time, too.
Cheers 8)

The more I read about the electronic rust proofing devices, the more I am convinced it may not be the best way to go wrt the new 150 Prado.
Somewhere in the fine print just recently I remember reading (but can"t remember where) that the electronic rust proofing "electrodes" should not be mounted within 1 meter of the "in glass" antenna, else you run the risk of interference....so that excludes using the rear quarter panels as a site for the electrodes in my opinion, and thus this may reduce the effectiveness (if there is any effectiveness to start with as some people argue) of the rust proofing electric field.
Just drove to Sydney and back in 150 Prado GXL and whilst there was no real problems with the radio, and no buzzing etc, the reception is definately not as good as with other cars we have had...so if you are considering travelling anywhere outside city limits and you like to listen to the radio, AM or FM, it may pay to consider installing an external antenna....perhaps? We definatley do not have the radio range as we have had in the past, and seeme dto be very regularly searching for a stronger statio to listen to.

Brogers, you're on the money.

I went back to the installers and between them and Coupler Tec, the rear electrodes were moved lower ie away from the ariel and presto no more interference. No charge. There seems to a slight interference in some areas but overall it's OK. In hindsight I think an external ariel would have still worked. Hope this helps others.
Cheers 8)

[Brenton Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Brenton]

Re: Radio Issues

I have to say I find the AM radio performance of the Prado one of its strengths.

Tested it today on a run from Port Augusta to Alice Springs.

Found ABC Port Pirie (639AM) was fine to a bit north of Coober Pedy (over 600km), and still listenable until a bit north of Cadney Homestead (780km).

ABC Alice Springs (a smaller transmitter on 783AM) was just listenable about 50km south of Kulgera (distance about 325km), and very clear by Erldunda (200km).

Another way the Prado makes travelling remote areas that bit more pleasurable!

Bushwacked

Do you have window tinting or the electronic rust device?

[benjl Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close benjl]

Re: Radio Issues

Interesting discussion - since I've had my 150, I've struggled with my roller door remote doing what its told. Put the drivers window down and it works fine.

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

Re: Radio Issues

Down to Melbourne and back during the week, the wife likes listening to 2GB, and we could still hear it past Yass. A couple of scratchy spots around the hills, but otherwise very clear. I have Sportstint window tinting and liquid application of rust proofing, not the electronic gadgets.

As a side issue, Clarion have just released a new GPS/radio/CD/DVD/MP3/etc unit, $2,000. Will have a look.

Yowie.