02 Q Antenna Access

[brymax]

I recently bought an XM radio portable with the car docking station.

In an effort to loose some of the wires dangling all over my dash I also bought the FM antenna integration unit.

Basically you have to get the antenna wire and pull it out of the factory stereo, plug it into this unit and then plug this units wire back into the stereo.

Before I start tearing apart my dash or under the dash, does anyone know where a good spot to get at the antenna wire might be in my car?

[brymax]

I recently bought an XM radio portable with the car docking station.

In an effort to loose some of the wires dangling all over my dash I also bought the FM antenna integration unit.

Basically you have to get the antenna wire and pull it out of the factory stereo, plug it into this unit and then plug this units wire back into the stereo.

Before I start tearing apart my dash or under the dash, does anyone know where a good spot to get at the antenna wire might be in my car?

So I found the antenna routing diagram in factory manual for this car, and it does show a clear wiring schematic.

But what is not clear is where the actual antenna wire is routed through the car.

Can anyone help?

Is the transition point for the antenna wire to window antenna in the trunk?

[brymax]

Bump!

I took apart the trunk liner in the Q last weekend.

Jeez, what a pain in the ***! Now I guess in addition to finding the antenna, I'm going to have to replace all those little push in plastic nuts, cuz you basically have to destroy them to get them out.

Or am I just stupid? They look like they're one time directional and not meant to be used again.

Anyway, still can't seem to find the antenna wire anywhere back there. I'm pretty sure it's gotta be back there cuz the antenna is in the rear window.I'm trying to avoid tearing the trunk liner apart.

Anyone know where the antenna wire might be in the trunk area of an '02 Q45?

[Jesda]

You may be disappointed, after all this, with the sound quality of the FM connector compared to the cassette slot. And yes, you'll need to order new fasteners/clips.

The FM connector that came with your tuner is for older cars that use metal rod antennas. Far as I know, the F50 has a window-integrated one (I could be wrong).

[brymax]

I know the antenna is in the window, but there still should be a antenna conductor run from the head unit or antenna amp to a junction point near the rear window somewhere, no?

[maxnix]

Now I guess in addition to finding the antenna, I'm going to have to replace all those little push in plastic nuts, cuz you basically have to destroy them to get them out.

Or am I just stupid? They look like they're one time directional and not meant to be used again.

Buy form Joe. Usually come out nicely with a claw extractor.

Seems like you are going to have to get behind the dash to access the input to the head unit anyway.

[brymax]

Buy form Joe. Usually come out nicely with a claw extractor.

Seems like you are going to have to get behind the dash to access the input to the head unit anyway.

BEHIND THE DASH?!

Sounds like I'm gonna need more o dem push in plastic thingies.

Whole god damn car's put together with those things!

[marksport]

I lost my radio when I had my new stereo setup installed. I'm going to see if it can get reconnected or get an aftermarket antenna for traffic info.

[brymax]

I lost my radio when I had my new stereo setup installed. I'm going to see if it can get reconnected or get an aftermarket antenna for traffic info.

Thanks, yeah I already saw this diagram. I guess I'm just too lame to find it in the trunk area.

And I'm an electrician by trade. How funny is that?

[dapark55]

I'm not an electrician (but respect those who are), but the trunk is not shown on the diagram. It looks like the wiring runs from the C pillar, under the roof, to the A pillar and into the innards of the dash.

[brymax]

Man who would have thought a noobie Q novice such as myslef would stump all the Q experts in this club with such a simple question?

You can get the exact math on fuel injectors and air mixture type questions but damn if anyone knows where the antenna is.

F it! I'm tearing the trunk apart this weekend and finding the damn thing!