Poor FM REception

[SwissXC90]

Originally Posted by bobsy852

My AM Frequency is terrible in my V70 (2008).
It stopped working altogether for a while. Now it's intermitent. Sometimes it works brilliantly, other times it works for a while then the interference starts, and other times it's just static.

The poor AM reception and static is often caused by a poor ground connection on the AM/FM antenna amplifier, which is the read left hand side window
Unbolt the antenna amplifier, clean the connecting areas of dust and grease, and use some fresh clean copper foil between both surfaces, and then rebolt down tight (by hand)- Ensure the coax connector is seated nicely and if it has a ring nut, secured firmly.

Data for the 2008 V70 antenna system:

Aerial
The audio module (AUM) has an aerial system for AM and FM. This consists partly of an AM aerial and partly of a dual aerial system for FM (Diversity reception). The dual aerial system is used to reduce Multipath interference. One aerial is integrated in the rear windscreen (left-hand rear side window V70/V70XC). The other aerial is integrated in the rear bumper. The signals from the aeriale are amplified or adjusted by each individual aerial amplifier.

[Conedxf]

I have a 2015 XC70, the radio reception was excellent and then suddenly I lost almost all DAB reception, FM was OK, but not as good as previously. By a simple process of elimination (me demanding that the garage tell me exactly what they did last time they serviced it), it transpired that they had fitted a pair of LED bulbs to the number plate lights in the back door. Hey presto once these were replaced with conventional bulbs reception was restored.
They had fitted the LED bulbs because I complained that the festoon bulbs kept blowing, approx. 1 every 8000 miles.
The LED bulbs have a small driver circuit which would appear to be badly suppressed.

[SwissXC90]

Originally Posted by Conedxf

I have a 2015 XC70, the radio reception was excellent and then suddenly I lost almost all DAB reception, FM was OK, but not as good as previously. By a simple process of elimination (me demanding that the garage tell me exactly what they did last time they serviced it), it transpired that they had fitted a pair of LED bulbs to the number plate lights in the back door. Hey presto once these were replaced with conventional bulbs reception was restored.
They had fitted the LED bulbs because I complained that the festoon bulbs kept blowing, approx. 1 every 8000 miles.
The LED bulbs have a small driver circuit which would appear to be badly suppressed.

Honestly, I'm not a fan of cheap low quality LED systems
Your post is yet another nail in the LED coffin

The other nails are:
1. Excessive heat if fitted with resistors to avoid lamp warning failure messages
2. Poor light output as the focal point of the LED light does not match the old tungsten filament lamp, and thus the reflector does not work optimally
3. Short lifespan on cheap LEDs

[zapcity1]

Originally Posted by Clan

have you tried looking at the second antenna in the rear bumper ? They are often pulled out when the bumper is removed , check a single wire on the right side in the boot under the tail lamp , in the R/H well ..it goes through into the bumper . also check the rear side window antenna connectors are on properly !

Thanks Clan for the pointer.

Been living with crap radio reception for a few weeks. Even though i dont listen to it, I would like it to work just in case I fancy hearing the news.

Popped into the boot of the XC70, found the little antenna connector on the left, and quickly saw it had popped off.

2 seconds to clip it back on and now I have crystal clear FM. As much Take That or Taylor Swift as I like now. Oh joy!!

Much obliged.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by zapcity1

Thanks Clan for the pointer.

Been living with crap radio reception for a few weeks. Even though i dont listen to it, I would like it to work just in case I fancy hearing the news.

Popped into the boot of the XC70, found the little antenna connector on the left, and quickly saw it had popped off.

2 seconds to clip it back on and now I have crystal clear FM. As much Take That or Taylor Swift as I like now. Oh joy!!

Much obliged.

wonderful ! who last had the rear bumper off I wonder ?

[Croft]

I have a 2008 V70 that developed poor radio reception. Having read the posts on the forum, I started to have a quick look.

Noticed that at the top edge of the rear quarter lights have ‘popper style’ pop-on connectors to the glass wire elements. The wires then run up into the headlining. One of these had become detached, probably caught on boxes I had loaded into the boot space.

Simple re-connect - all seems good.

[azydron]

The radio on my 2011 XC60 has stopped working after a very wet winter/spring. I suspect the antenna amplifier as when in AM mode the radio makes a sound similar to not having an antenna connected. The CD, Bluetooth sounds work fine so I definitely suspect that it is something to do with the antenna.

I checked the rear window antenna connection and it is fine. I noticed on eBay that people are selling antenna amplifiers and I would like to find out where the antenna amplifier is located on my XC60. I have searched the Internet and cannot find any information about this. Any pictures would be most appreciated.

Thank you in advance

[Tatsfield]

@azydron. You might get better answers if you posted in a section dedicated to your XC60 model. This section is for S80, V70 and XC70 post 2008