Audio System - Antenna Diagnostic Overview
91 11 30
October 6, 2011
2023490 *Supersedes T.B. V911032 dated Nov.15, 2010 to include additional models and model year applicability.*
Updated information is noted by asterisks and yellow shading
Vehicle Information
Antenna Diagnosis Overview
Technical Background
To provide an overview of:
^ Antenna Connector Colors
^ Coaxial Cable Information
^ Model / Radio Antenna Locations
^ AM/FM Diagnosis
^ Satellite Radio Diagnosis
^ Navigation (GPS) Diagnosis
^ Diagnostic checks with Digital Volt Meter (DVOM)
Tip:
For older vehicles, TB 91-07-06 (2010411).
Production Solution
Not applicable
Service
Tip:
Roof mounted antenna that contain satellite radio or satellite radio / GPS functionality are referred to as "shark fin" antennas compared to a standard
roof mount antenna base & mast.
Antenna Connector Colors
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The connectors of antenna cables are color coded for easy reference.
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Coaxial Cable Information
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Model / Radio Antenna Locations
Reception Diagnostics
Note:
All radio reception concerns must be validated outside, away from building overhangs, electrical signs, and/or heavy canopy of trees overhead.
AM / FM Diagnostics
^ Are antenna fault codes stored in the radio/navigation unit related to the customer complaint? Use GFF test plans to narrow down the concern.
^ Is the station out of range? www.radio-locator.com is a good way to determine the range of a desired radio station. Comparing to a vehicle that
has the same antenna configuration can help as well.
^ Is there window tinting on the vehicle? If the vehicle antenna is integrated in to the glass, window tinting will decrease/eliminate reception.
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^ Does static occur on AM when certain vehicle functions are switched on? AM is more susceptible to feedback that is considered normal.
^ Does the static only occur when the rear window defroster is on? The rear window including filters (if applicable) will need to be diagnosed to
find the problem.
Note:
Only for vehicles with rear window integrated antenna.
^ MVB 7.3 (antenna 1) & 10.3 (antenna 2) are available to determine if a short or open fault is on the antenna circuit.
^ MVB 8.2 (antenna 1) & 8.4 (antenna 2) displays signal strength. A value of 0 indicates no reception & over 25+ indicates good to excellent
reception. This applies to RNS-510, RNS-315. RCD-510, RCD-310, & Delta 6 radios.
^ MVB 9.1, 9.2 can be used to see antenna power consumption. This is applicable to RNS-315, RCD-510, & RCD-310. If no power is consumed,
proceed to Diagnostic Checks with Digital Volt Meter.
^ Swap a known good radio. Does the concern still happen? If so, the radio can be ruled out as the problem.
^ Go to Diagnostic Checks with Digital Volt Meter to narrow down customer complaints that are considered to be antenna or coaxial cable related.
Satellite Radio Diagnosis
^ Does the customer have an active satellite radio subscription? MY 2011 (except Routan) vehicles have a three month free subscription. Routan
has a one year free subscription.
^ Does the radio display "Linking" sporadically? Reception will not be available when vehicle parked under a building overhang such as gas
station, heavy canopy of trees etc.
^ Are certain channels missing? If so, Sirius needs to be contacted. Use the satellite radio overview technical bulletin HST 2020627 in ElsaWeb to
find Sirius contact information or the phone number displayed on the screen. Depending on radio, filtering of station is available to allow
channels to be skipped over.
^ Are antenna fault codes stored in the radio/navigation unit related to the customer complaint? Use GFF test plans to narrow down the concern.
^ MVB 9.3 can be used to see antenna power consumption. This is applicable to RNS-315, RCD-510, & RCD- 310. If no power is consumed,
proceed to Diagnostic Checks with Digital Volt Meter.
^ Radios with internal satellite receiver: Is a message displayed on screen stating Satellite radio not available"? This indicates a radio concern.
Swapping a known good similar radio is an easy check to confirm the radio is the problem. Applies to RNS-510, RNS-315, RCD-510, RCD-310
(with sat).
^ Go to Diagnostic Checks with Digital Volt Meter to narrow down customer complaints that are considered to be antenna or coaxial cable related.
Navigation (GPS) Diagnosis
^ Is the street newer than the map data the system is using? Several factors play a role when new streets are created. This includes data provided by
city/state/province etc, compilation time by the map supplier etc.
^ RNS-510: Is the map download incomplete leaving blank spots. You can verify this by moving the screen image to see if areas are incomplete.
See ElsaWeb for the latest TB's to correct this concern.
^ Are a minimum of three satellites being seen? This can be easily checked on the RNS-510 & RNS-315.
RNS-510:
1. Press the Nav button
2. Select Position on the screen
RNS-315:
1. Press the Nav button.
2. Select Map on the screen.
3. Select View on the screen.
4. Select Route Info on the screen.
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5. Turn the center knob clockwise to scroll down to see how many satellites are received.
^ Are no satellites being seen? Is the vehicle in a building or other overhang to cause lack of signal? If no, swap the radio with a known good unit
to see if the concern is corrected. If not, proceed to the "Diagnostic Checks with Digital Volt Meter" section.
^ MVB 9.4 can be used to see antenna power consumption. This is applicable to RNS-315, RCD-510, & RCD-310. If no power is consumed,
proceed to Diagnostic Checks with Digital Volt Meter.
Diagnostic Checks with Digital Volt Meter
Prerequisites
^ Spare part coaxial cable 280cm (9 ft) or longer
^ AM/FM adapter (000098713) for AM/FM complaints on RNS-510, RCD-510, RNS-315, RCD-310
Test 1: Ruling out the radio as the problem
1. Disconnect the antenna from the radio that is related to the customer complaint. Keep the radio quad lock connector plugged in. Verify the inner
pin on the antenna connection at the radio is not bent or missing. If damaged, the radio must be replaced.
2. Plug in the known good coaxial cable. Use adapter 000098713, if necessary.
3. With the DVOM set on DC voltage, find out the voltage output from the radio. To do this, place the ground side on the outer portion of the
coaxial cable and the positive side on the inner tip.
4. If no voltage is being seen, swap in a known good radio to verify findings. If confirmed, replace radio.
Test 2: Ruling out the coaxial cable to the antenna as the problem (AM/FM)
1. Disconnect the test coaxial cable and reconnect the factory cable.
2. Disconnect the coaxial cable at the antenna side. Use ElsaWeb for directions how to access connection.
3. Carefully ground center wire of coaxial cable to chassis. If reception returns, coaxial is good. Proceed to Test
3. If reception is weak proceed to next step.
4. Perform the same test checking voltage at the coaxial cable of the antenna connection.
Note:
Do not use the DVOM to measure resistance at the antenna side of the connection. The inner pin is easily bent/broken.
5. If the voltage is not within the range, the coaxial cable needs to be replaced. Otherwise proceed to Test 3.
Test 3: Confirming the antenna is the problem
Plug the factory coaxial cable, for the appropriate system that is inoperative, in to antenna base (5N0035501B or equivalent) using the appropriate
color code for the antenna reference. If the problem is resolved then the antenna system from the coaxial cable back needs to be diagnosed. This can
include antenna amplifiers, boosters, and / or actual antenna. If further assistance is needed, start a VTA ticket for assistance.
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Warranty
Note:
Antennas replaced where the functionality does not pertain to the part are subject to charge back. Example is a shark fin that only has satellite
radio functionality being replaced for an AM complaint.
Required Parts and Tools
Additional Information
All part and service references provided in this Technical Bulletin are subject to change and/or removal.
Always check with your Parts Dept. and Repair Manuals for the latest information.
