Amplified Antenna - Weak Radio reception FM and AM

by **palikary** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 6:00 pm

I have weak radio reception coming from both FM and AM radio. CD played sound is perfect. I'm reading it has something to do with the Amplified Antenna and possibly broken cables from it. Radio had been working perfectly fine for 10+ years and the car had metallic tint from day 1 with no issues till recently.

Im looking for the location of the Amp Antenna in the 2007 Liberty 3.0 SpecB sedan. Ive remove the rear quarter trim on the passengers side. Is this the side where its located? Or is it on the drivers side rear trim? Ive attached some photos... How do I get to it - does the curtain airbag need to be removed? If so what is the easiest way to do this without causing possible damage? And once i get to it what do I test to see if its the Amplified antenna or the head unit?

: Left Rear Quarter trim; IMG_4620.jpg (63.43 KiB) Viewed 2192 times

: Left Rear Quarter trim; IMG_4618.jpg (88.07 KiB) Viewed 2192 times

: Left Rear Quarter trim; IMG_4617.jpg (120.51 KiB) Viewed 2192 times

: Left Rear Quarter trim; IMG_4616.jpg (80.91 KiB) Viewed 2192 times

: Left Rear Quarter trim; IMG_4615.jpg (65.19 KiB) Viewed 2192 times

by **fedaykin** » Thu Feb 06, 2020 3:22 pm

https://jp-carparts.com/subaru/partlist ... fig_id=863
Looks like it's on the passenger side.

by **palikary** » Thu Feb 06, 2020 4:25 pm

Thanks very much for confirming.. The curtain air bag is right in front. Can this be removed easily to get access to the amplifier? Would you have any instructions on how to get it out?

by **bigBADbenny** » Thu Feb 06, 2020 7:55 pm

Yes, procedures are in your cars FSM.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34980

Let us know how the fix proceeds.
I might need to do same on our 2.5i.

Doing a solder paint repair to the aerial in the rear window (or replacing the window itself) might be an option, if that’s the source of the fault.

by **bigBADbenny** » Thu Feb 06, 2020 8:23 pm

From the FSM (keyword: antenna):

B: PREPARATION TOOL
1. GENERAL TOOL
TOOL NAME REMARKS
Circuit tester Used for measuring resistance
and voltage.
Conductive silver composition
(DUPONT No. 4817 or
equivalent)
Used for repairing antenna
wire.

Audio generates noise with engine running. (1) Check the audio ground.
(2) Check the generator.
(3) Check the ignition coil.
(4) Remove the audio and repair it.

AM (MW, LW: Europe only) and FM modes are weak or noisy. (1) Check the antenna.
(2) Check the antenna amplifier.
(3) Check the noise suppressor.
(4) Check the audio ground.
(5) Remove the audio and repair it.

Antenna