Antennae

Silver SLP · 02-13-2013, 10:52 PM

So I kinda asked this question before, but does anyone know if the rear window antennae can be bypassed? Ideally, my plan is to add an aftermarket antenna on the rear passenger quarter panel because my radio reception sucks big time. (Yes the antenna is plugged in and there are no breaks in the system.)

I just want to plug it into the antenna booster on the C-panel right where the original rear window gets plugged in. Anyone know if this will work?

Thanks for the help

Nas Escobar · 02-15-2013, 12:41 AM

I personally feel the fender antenna looks better than a rear quarter one, but I think the best option is to buy an antenna with enough wiring to run it to the radio.

Also, have you thought about getting one of those interior antennas that go on the windshield? That way you don't drill up the body of your Alero.

Silver SLP · 02-15-2013, 02:26 PM

I personally like the rear quarter antenna location better.

I thought about those windshield antennas, but all the reviews say they suck.

zzyzzx · 02-15-2013, 02:54 PM

I personally prefer a front pillar antenna. As long as its retractable, like the one on my Escort. I am not sure if you can do that aftermarket.

Having said that, are you sure it's not the amplifier or head unit that's a problem? I have all OEM stuff and mine works pretty good.

Newlin · 02-15-2013, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzyzzx

Having said that, are you sure it's not the amplifier or head unit that's a problem? I have all OEM stuff and mine works pretty good.

I've never had much luck with the Alero antenna compared with other cars in the area. I've put a new head unit and made sure I had the appropriate GM antenna adapter.

It's not that it doesn't work - I just have a hard time picking up radio stations that are out of town.

03glgold · 02-15-2013, 04:58 PM

my alero has the best radio reception of any vehicle I have been in and can pick up radio stations that can't be picked up by most other cars in the area...my friends alero is the same way...I would say something is wrong with your particular one

Silver SLP · 02-15-2013, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03glgold

my alero has the best radio reception of any vehicle I have been in and can pick up radio stations that can't be picked up by most other cars in the area...my friends alero is the same way...I would say something is wrong with your particular one

I'm not sure, when I had this deck in my Lumina (had an actual antenna stock, no tint) it worked great. When I had this deck in my 01' Monte Carlo SS (no tint, antenna in back window) I picked up alot of static. Now in my Alero (antenna in back window with 35% tint) I get really bad reception.

zzyzzx · 02-15-2013, 06:16 PM

Are you sure that you connected up the power to the antenna amplifier?
You know you got to do that if you are using an after market head unit.
It won't be the firs time someone here had done that.

Silver SLP · 02-15-2013, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzyzzx

Are you sure that you connected up the power to the antenna amplifier?
You know you got to do that if you are using an after market head unit.
It won't be the firs time someone here had done that.

I think I did but I don't know for sure I guess...
What color is the antenna amplifier?

Thanks

zzyzzx · 02-15-2013, 09:40 PM

According to my 1999 Service Manual, page 8-168, it shows a "Power Antenna" connection labeled as F3 C1 A2 C2 0.35 DK GRN 145, not to be confused with the other DK GRN for the right front speaker minus wire.

If you are sure that you have power going to it (and I would check this at the antenna amplifier terminal "2 C1") then I would check for breaks on the lines on the back window (upper portion of what looks like the rear window defroster).

Of course if your Alero is 2001 or newer, the stereo is different and presumably the schematic is as well. I'm guessing that the antenna amplifier is probably the same so checking for power there should be good as well as checking the antenna connection at the head unit.

Silver SLP · 02-15-2013, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzyzzx

According to my 1999 Service Manual, page 8-168, it shows a "Power Antenna" connection labeled as F3 C1 A2 C2 0.35 DK GRN 145, not to be confused with the other DK GRN for the right front speaker minus wire.

If you are sure that you have power going to it (and I would check this at the antenna amplifier terminal "2 C1") then I would check for breaks on the lines on the back window (upper portion of what looks like the rear window defroster).

Of course if your Alero is 2001 or newer, the stereo is different and presumably the schematic is as well. I'm guessing that the antenna amplifier is probably the same so checking for power there should be good as well as checking the antenna connection at the head unit.

Okay thanks a lot. I have a 2004 GL1. Also, I know I don't have any breaks because when I turn the rear window defrost on it doesn't make any difference.
I'll check for another dk green wire, I always could only find the right front speaker wire as mentioned.
The only other thing I can think of is that there is tint on the upper portion of the rear window on top of the window antenna. Maybe I should take that part off?
Thanks for your help

a.graham52 · 02-16-2013, 12:33 AM

IF u just spliced the headunit harness into a harness adaptor for the car and all you did was just match "color to color" then you probably did NOT hook up the power to the antenna. dont feel bad, i didnt do it to either one of mine. your headunit should have i wire for a "power antenna" and that would be the wire you want to have going to the wire zz mentioned. however i would verify the wiring hasnt changed from 99-04 before making any connections.

Silver SLP · 02-16-2013, 12:42 AM

Okay that makes sense. When I get a chance I'm going to take my deck out and see if the "power antenna" wire is connected to anything. Maybe it isn't... I hope not.

Thanks

zzyzzx · 02-16-2013, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver SLP

I know I don't have any breaks because when I turn the rear window defrost on it doesn't make any difference.

The defrost and antenna circuits on the rear window are completely separate.
Since you mentions tint or something on it I suppose it could be broken, but I would not remove it unless the tint material is conductive (meaning that conducts electricity). I'm thinking that the more you mess with it, the more likely you are to break one of the lines.

Silver SLP · 02-16-2013, 12:50 AM

My bad, my Monte Carlo was set up that way. I figured the Alero would be too. I think I'm gonna leave the tint alone until I make sure the power antenna is connected

03glgold · 02-16-2013, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzyzzx

The defrost and antenna circuits on the rear window are completely separate.
Since you mentions tint or something on it I suppose it could be broken, but I would not remove it unless the tint material is conductive (meaning that conducts electricity). I'm thinking that the more you mess with it, the more likely you are to break one of the lines.

you are incorrect...my radio gets a lot of static when the defrost is turned on...it is the exact same coils powered by the exact same box. To help lower the possibility of the melting defrost thing, I just switch to cd or turn my radio off while rear defrost is on since I lose signal anyways

Nas Escobar · 02-16-2013, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver SLP

I'm not sure, when I had this deck in my Lumina (had an actual antenna stock, no tint) it worked great. When I had this deck in my 01' Monte Carlo SS (no tint, antenna in back window) I picked up alot of static. Now in my Alero (antenna in back window with 35% tint) I get really bad reception.

I have a slight feeling it's your wiring (as others have said) or the head unit itself.

The Lumina has an antenna outside but the Monte Carlo and Alero have it in the defroster lines I think.

Either your wiring to the radio doesn't activate the rear antenna or the head unit is a dud. I've seen radios go out in that form. If you still have the stock radio, hook it back in and see how the stations react.

zzyzzx · 02-16-2013, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nas Escobar

If you still have the stock radio, hook it back in and see how the stations react.

Silver SLP · 02-16-2013, 07:03 PM

Will do. Thanks for all the help!

Silver SLP · 02-17-2013, 11:57 PM

I tried the factory radio in the car, perfect signal. Every station comes in great...

(I have a white/blue wire coming out of my Kenwood KDC-352U radio (I believe is labeled P. cont.) which is connected to my aftermarket amp for my subs.)

1. There is a solid blue wire coming out of the radio harness labeled, "P. Ant." for power antenna. Not connected to anything

2. There is a dark green wire in the factory harness, that when connected to the aftermarket radio color adapter, comes out blue/white colored. This wire was not connected to anything.

3. I connected the solid blue wire (P. Ant.) to the blue/white (which is really dark green in the factory harness as stated above) and it make absolutely no difference in my radio reception. It is still awful.

Can anyone confirm that my wiring is mixed up? It would be great if someone had a picture or something so I can see how theirs is set up. Thanks for the help!