hmmm, here'* a tricky one. I recently swapped out my stock GM unit on my '03 for a Pioneer head unit. The guys over at Tweeter here in Chicago installed it for me and everything works perfect except for my AM reception on this unit which is good as crap. What I was told that because the stock units were specific made for BVs' and had no external antenna (i.e power antenna, etc) that I would need an aftermarket ant. that affixes to my windshield/rear window and plugs into the back of my Pioneer. I tried asking if there was a way to go through my OnStar antenna (since I don't utilize it, of course) and was told that was not possible. Anyone out there familiar with this problem? Please advise.

Thanks

You have antennas built into both the front and rear glass. The rear is both AM & FM, the front is FM alone. There is an antenna module in the car. If there is a power antenna output on the aftermarket deck, you can turn on the module with that signal. This may yield better results for you. If I'm not mistaken, the connection to turn it on is pin A3 of the Dock-N-Lock connector in the back of the radio bay. If they've cut this off, you may have to trace by colour (I'd tell you what it is, but I don't have my reference at hand). The antenna module is in the centre, just above the headliner directly in front of the rear window.

I'm not 100% sure about this but I think they might have sold you the wrong antenna adapter.
The same thing happens in VW '* if you use the wrong antenna adapter you loose the AM band.
I think that you need the one (amplifed antenna adapter) that has a 12 volt turn on wire, which you connect to the remote wire from your aftermarket deck.

It should look like this:
http://www.bestkits.com/ViewImage.as...i/BAADIN22.jpg

You shouldn't need to add another antenna to recieve AM.
Take the car back to the shop and ask them to try the antenna adapter that I mentioned.

Good Luck,
Dutch

Dutch,

What brand/model is that adapter (the pic you sent me). I tried to find that on the website and couldn't find it.

Thanks

The one I showed you before is not the correct one just an example, it is ment for a VW.

Here is the correct one:

http://fitguide.installationexcellen...egoryId=6#1358

It is made by Metra.
Part # 40-VW54

Bestkits also has one but it is for VW, I don't know the part number.

Just ask the shop to try an amplifed VW antenna adapter with the "turn on lead wire", like they use for VW Passats etc.
They should know what your talking about when you tell them thats what you would like to try.

If my suggestion doesn't work ask them to try powering up the wire in the factory harness that DDadler mentioned.

Good Luck,
Dutch

Dutch

why would the 40-VW10 not get AM ?? works on mine??

Lastnight after I posted I checked out some wiring diagrams for the newer BV'*.
I can't confirm the accuracy of them because I don't have the car in front of me to verify and I don't know which system and trim level the car has.
The reason I suggested the other antenna adapter is because there is more than one listed.

ReallyAGXP, If you have the 40-VW10 adapter and it works for the AM Band, then the shop that worked on SLEighride03 ' * car did not power up one of the remote turn on leads for the antenna, in the factory harness.

SLEighride03 if you see this, disregard my previous posts about the antenna adapters.

Ask the shop to verify that they have powered up all the remote wires in the harness adapter OR the factory harness if they chopped off the plug.

They missed hooking up a wire, which is why you have no AM reception.

Sorry for the previous mis-information,
Dutch

My memory failed me :( The antenna enable line is 'B3', not 'A3'. This will be the only solid WHITE wire (no stripes) on the factory radio connector/harness. As long as it is tied to the power antenna signal of your aftermarket HU you should be good to go.