Very poor radio reception all of a sudden?

Alan l. · 03-26-2010, 12:51 PM

Happened a few days ago. Driving to the gym with the radio on and everything sounds perfect. Parked the car and came back out about an hour later. Once i started the car the radio reception was total crap. It sounded like a POS radio with static reception in all and every station. Played my ipod and the sound was fine. Went back to radio and the sound was still crap.

I had to hold down the volume button for 20 seconds to reboot the whole idrive system and everything went back to normal after that. has this happened to anyone before?

this is on my 2009.5 335 with idrive

Alan

golf4501 · 03-26-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Happened a few days ago. Driving to the gym with the radio on and everything sounds perfect. Parked the car and came back out about an hour later. Once i started the car the radio reception was total crap. It sounded like a POS radio with static reception in all and every station. Played my ipod and the sound was fine. Went back to radio and the sound was still crap.

I had to hold down the volume button for 20 seconds to reboot the whole idrive system and everything went back to normal after that. has this happened to anyone before?

this is on my 2009.5 335 with idrive

Alan

Not on my 335, but this same thing happened on my E46 330. Only once, lasted until I restarted the car, and never occurred again. Just wrote it off as gremlins...

tys90 · 03-28-2010, 02:10 PM

My reception also experienced a sharp drop off randomly about 3 months after I got it. I took it in and they told me everything was fine and that the car won't be able to get stations more than 30 miles away (??? sounded dumb to me). It's been that way since, about 6 months now. I can still get local stations but it has poor reception and I don't know what to do to even try to fix it.

mikey0120 · 03-31-2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Happened a few days ago. Driving to the gym with the radio on and everything sounds perfect. Parked the car and came back out about an hour later. Once i started the car the radio reception was total crap. It sounded like a POS radio with static reception in all and every station. Played my ipod and the sound was fine. Went back to radio and the sound was still crap.

I had to hold down the volume button for 20 seconds to reboot the whole idrive system and everything went back to normal after that. has this happened to anyone before?

this is on my 2009.5 335 with idrive

Alan

Why aren't you listening to SIRIUS?

GTiceman · 11-23-2010, 02:53 PM

sorry to bump this thread but did anyone ever solve this issue?

SpmnE9zero · 11-23-2010, 02:56 PM

I also was having trouble with my reception, or at least I thought it was my reception. Turns out it was every time I turned on my rear defroster. The rear defroster was interfering with my radio reception. had to replace my rear glass as one of the defrost lines broke or something. Never had another problem with it.

GTiceman · 11-23-2010, 03:18 PM

thanks Spmn that is one possibility I guess but I havent been using defrosters and mine seems sporadic as to how long it takes before the sound issue, I guess it could be a poorly shielded wire as well

I am also thinking that maybe the Fakra connector in the rear is to blame, I did a CIC retro and I never had an issue with my old radio so I might take a look at that

kvanriper · 11-24-2010, 02:50 AM

I have had the same issue on my 2011 328i. Today I put the fob in and was listening to the radio for few minutes before turning on the car. When I turned on the car all channels were static with no reception. The bluetooth worked fine, drove home and still all static.

The other two times it did it, lasted only for about 5 minutes then all reception came back.

richb811 · 01-14-2011, 05:36 PM

Starting to experience the same issue with my car. Stations that are close by still fade in and out, get random static.

The service guy at Bloomfield said it was an issue with HD radio frequencies overriding the regular FM frequencies and the switch between the two causes the fadeout, although I am not sure how much I believe that.

Anyone else have more information on this?

Leightonm · 02-01-2011, 09:03 AM

I've just had this problem on my 2007 335i. The FM radio was working fine now it has a really poor reception. The CD works fine. I have rebooted the idrive but this didn't work.

Has anyone else had this problem? Is it a problem with an aerial connection?

Thanks

bigjilm · 02-02-2011, 12:50 PM

I've had the same problem twice on my 2011 335i with the 2010 Hifi system in it. Both times, I had to reboot the entire car to get any reception at all (turned off the car at a traffic light, and everything came back correctly).

My guess is that there is a powered antenna or some kind of booster that isn't getting powered up correctly. I had a similar symptom on my old WRX when I had a bad connection to the antenna booster until I reseated the connector to it.

I haven't mentioned it to my dealer, but I'm going to take an educated guess and say that they'll have no clue unless a service bulletin comes out.

Tisa · 02-05-2011, 11:53 AM

Hi,

I just experienced the same issue.

Parked the car and went to the store. When I returned and started the car the FM gave very bad radio reception. Very strange.

I stopped the engine, pulled out the key and then restarted the car. Issue solved.

Will mention it to the dealer next time.

lupo 2006 · 03-11-2011, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpmnE9zero

I also was having trouble with my reception, or at least I thought it was my reception. Turns out it was every time I turned on my rear defroster. The rear defroster was interfering with my radio reception. had to replace my rear glass as one of the defrost lines broke or something. Never had another problem with it.

I just got the car a couple of weeks ago! (used) and having the same problem with the defrost interfering with the radio! My thought was they had the antenna and the defrost wires running to close together, but since i see you had the same problem it may be a broken defrost line! What was the cost for the rear glass replacement??? Thanks !!!

albqprtynpnk · 07-24-2012, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Happened a few days ago. Driving to the gym with the radio on and everything sounds perfect. Parked the car and came back out about an hour later. Once i started the car the radio reception was total crap. It sounded like a POS radio with static reception in all and every station. Played my ipod and the sound was fine. Went back to radio and the sound was still crap.

I had to hold down the volume button for 20 seconds to reboot the whole idrive system and everything went back to normal after that. has this happened to anyone before?

this is on my 2009.5 335 with idrive

Alan

I have a 2006 330I just about the same thin happened to me. I tried what you had said here and it worked... Thanks Alan

NOKIDSS · 08-30-2012, 06:10 PM

Long time lurker of this site, 1st time poster…

Same thing happened to me today. Drove my 09 335i Coupe home with all of the stations washed in static. Parked the car, opened this thread, went back to the garage for a restart and the gremlins are gone…

I fear this is a problem that will only get worse with time - I hope I'm wrong!

Thanks for the thread guys!

(Not sure if heat has anything to do with this issue. Outside temp was 106 at the time)

Ferstlerslim · 04-24-2017, 08:08 AM

Experienced the same thing this morning.....all radio stations were scratchy.

Rebooted Idrive and all is well for now.....

Thanks,

Dave

Aaronexx · 06-06-2018, 05:51 AM

I'm a sucker for opening old threads. I'm getting the same problem as the above, did anyone find a solution? Can't even listen to the radio at this point. 2010 system.

BeamerNub · 06-06-2018, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaronexx

I'm a sucker for opening old threads. I'm getting the same problem as the above, did anyone find a solution? Can't even listen to the radio at this point. 2010 system.

I also have an E90, 2007 reg. Only had it a few weeks though, so can't say how it should sound from factory. Radio reception wasn't good on the OEM Professional unit. Even worse on this aftermarket one, which was to be expected. The OEM one though, very poor. AM worked okay, but not great and interference was a problem, but FM would often cut in and out and was all over the place. On this new unit, it just about works, but is regularly cutting out. Glad for spotify i suppose.

I keep hearing the 'Diversity antenna' or connector to it, could be the issue, but I can never find an actual explanation of:
a. Where the diversity antenna is located.
b. What I should do to test it.

The other issue apparently is the antenna is built into the windscreen and the metal lines across the glass fail. No idea though.

Obviously I'd like to fix it, because I like my cars working, but this one is way more complicated than the older bangers and VW's I'm used too, so I'm half tempted take it a specialist and see if there's any quick things they can do. If not, write it off and be grateful for spotify.

ptpending · 06-06-2018, 06:49 AM

diversity antenna amplifier located under third rear stoplamp on e90 and e92 and in rear spoiler on e91
when the e91 is quite old, the wires in trunk door grommets can have breaks and antenna amp can be flooded with water via spoiler

BeamerNub · 06-06-2018, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptpending

diversity antenna amplifier located under third rear stoplamp on e90 and e92 and in rear spoiler on e91
when the e91 is quite old, the wires in trunk door grommets can have breaks and antenna amp can be flooded with water via spoiler

When you say under the rear stop lamp..... looking from the inside of the car, there is the headlining then a piece of cloth trim that sits obscuring something. I assume it's under there? Removal a case of pulling hard with trim tools or are there any hidden screws? Might have a look at lunch. Get the multimeter out later.

ptpending · 06-06-2018, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeamerNub

When you say under the rear stop lamp..... looking from the inside of the car, there is the headlining then a piece of cloth trim that sits obscuring something. I assume it's under there? Removal a case of pulling hard with trim tools or are there any hidden screws? Might have a look at lunch. Get the multimeter out later.

yep
google e90 remove third stop lamp

BeamerNub · 06-06-2018, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptpending

yep
google e90 remove third stop lamp

Thanks, that's more useful than searching e90 remove diversity antenna which shows absolutely nothing

03-26-2010, 12:51 PM	#1
Alan l. Major General 5817 Rep 9,051 Posts Drives: 2020 F95 X5M Competition Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: United States iTrader: (9)	Very poor radio reception all of a sudden? Happened a few days ago. Driving to the gym with the radio on and everything sounds perfect. Parked the car and came back out about an hour later. Once i started the car the radio reception was total crap. It sounded like a POS radio with static reception in all and every station. Played my ipod and the sound was fine. Went back to radio and the sound was still crap. I had to hold down the volume button for 20 seconds to reboot the whole idrive system and everything went back to normal after that. has this happened to anyone before? this is on my 2009.5 335 with idrive Alan __________________
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03-28-2010, 02:10 PM	#3
tys90 Private First Class 8 Rep 128 Posts Drives: 2013 535i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Midwest US iTrader: (0)	My reception also experienced a sharp drop off randomly about 3 months after I got it. I took it in and they told me everything was fine and that the car won't be able to get stations more than 30 miles away (??? sounded dumb to me). It's been that way since, about 6 months now. I can still get local stations but it has poor reception and I don't know what to do to even try to fix it.
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11-23-2010, 02:53 PM	#5
GTiceman Parrothead 138 Rep 1,233 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tampa iTrader: (5) Garage List 2020 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	sorry to bump this thread but did anyone ever solve this issue? __________________ \|e46 M3 Stahlgrau/Red\| - Sold \|E92 335i BSM/Saddle\| - Sold \|e90 M3 Space Gray/Fox Red/6MT\| See Garage for Mods
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11-23-2010, 02:56 PM	#6
SpmnE9zero DENY THE WORLD THAT SURROUNDS YOU 508 Rep 35,580 Posts Drives: JB 33ZERO Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: City of Champions iTrader: (14) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	I also was having trouble with my reception, or at least I thought it was my reception. Turns out it was every time I turned on my rear defroster. The rear defroster was interfering with my radio reception. had to replace my rear glass as one of the defrost lines broke or something. Never had another problem with it. __________________ Eurocharged V5 \| ROW's / CC Delete \| K&N's \| H&R Springs \| Single Fin G.B. Grill \| Mode Carbon Diffuser \| JBSpeed CF Spoiler \| Arkym Style CF Splitter \| CF Mirror Caps \| 5% Tints \| 12mm Spacers \|
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11-23-2010, 03:18 PM	#7
GTiceman Parrothead 138 Rep 1,233 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tampa iTrader: (5) Garage List 2020 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	thanks Spmn that is one possibility I guess but I havent been using defrosters and mine seems sporadic as to how long it takes before the sound issue, I guess it could be a poorly shielded wire as well I am also thinking that maybe the Fakra connector in the rear is to blame, I did a CIC retro and I never had an issue with my old radio so I might take a look at that __________________ \|e46 M3 Stahlgrau/Red\| - Sold \|E92 335i BSM/Saddle\| - Sold \|e90 M3 Space Gray/Fox Red/6MT\| See Garage for Mods
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11-24-2010, 02:50 AM	#8
kvanriper New Member 0 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	I have had the same issue on my 2011 328i. Today I put the fob in and was listening to the radio for few minutes before turning on the car. When I turned on the car all channels were static with no reception. The bluetooth worked fine, drove home and still all static. The other two times it did it, lasted only for about 5 minutes then all reception came back.
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01-14-2011, 05:36 PM	#9
richb811 485 Rep 4,591 Posts Drives: 2020 G20 330i M Sport Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (21)	Starting to experience the same issue with my car. Stations that are close by still fade in and out, get random static. The service guy at Bloomfield said it was an issue with HD radio frequencies overriding the regular FM frequencies and the switch between the two causes the fadeout, although I am not sure how much I believe that. Anyone else have more information on this?
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02-01-2011, 09:03 AM	#10
Leightonm Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 335i M-sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Very poor radio reception all of a sudden? I've just had this problem on my 2007 335i. The FM radio was working fine now it has a really poor reception. The CD works fine. I have rebooted the idrive but this didn't work. Has anyone else had this problem? Is it a problem with an aerial connection? Thanks
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02-02-2011, 12:50 PM	#11
bigjilm Private First Class 9 Rep 100 Posts Drives: '11 335i Sedan Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I've had the same problem twice on my 2011 335i with the 2010 Hifi system in it. Both times, I had to reboot the entire car to get any reception at all (turned off the car at a traffic light, and everything came back correctly). My guess is that there is a powered antenna or some kind of booster that isn't getting powered up correctly. I had a similar symptom on my old WRX when I had a bad connection to the antenna booster until I reseated the connector to it. I haven't mentioned it to my dealer, but I'm going to take an educated guess and say that they'll have no clue unless a service bulletin comes out.
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02-05-2011, 11:53 AM	#12
Tisa Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: E91 318d Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Hi, I just experienced the same issue. Parked the car and went to the store. When I returned and started the car the FM gave very bad radio reception. Very strange. I stopped the engine, pulled out the key and then restarted the car. Issue solved. Will mention it to the dealer next time.
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08-30-2012, 06:10 PM	#15
NOKIDSS New Member 2 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Coupe w/iDrive-Stock Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Tucson, AZ iTrader: (0)	Long time lurker of this site, 1st time poster… Same thing happened to me today. Drove my 09 335i Coupe home with all of the stations washed in static. Parked the car, opened this thread, went back to the garage for a restart and the gremlins are gone… I fear this is a problem that will only get worse with time - I hope I'm wrong! Thanks for the thread guys! (Not sure if heat has anything to do with this issue. Outside temp was 106 at the time) Last edited by NOKIDSS; 08-30-2012 at 06:38 PM.. Reason: Additional info
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04-24-2017, 08:08 AM	#16
Ferstlerslim noob 2 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2010 335i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Syracuse, NY iTrader: (0)	Experienced the same thing this morning.....all radio stations were scratchy. Rebooted Idrive and all is well for now..... Thanks, Dave
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06-06-2018, 05:51 AM	#17
Aaronexx Private 2 Rep 65 Posts Drives: E92 335d Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: North West iTrader: (0)	I'm a sucker for opening old threads. I'm getting the same problem as the above, did anyone find a solution? Can't even listen to the radio at this point. 2010 system. __________________ Previous: E90 320D
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06-06-2018, 06:49 AM	#19
ptpending Colonel 538 Rep 2,941 Posts Drives: e81 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (1)	diversity antenna amplifier located under third rear stoplamp on e90 and e92 and in rear spoiler on e91 when the e91 is quite old, the wires in trunk door grommets can have breaks and antenna amp can be flooded with water via spoiler __________________ E81 2007 130i 6cylinder Montego blue Retrofits: Harman Kardon, High-beam assistant, Removable tow hitch. Auto-dim folding exterior mirrors. Lumbar support. Perfomance Brakes.
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