Advice- Stock stereo replaced by Kenwood KDC-MP342U- Terrible Radio Reception

[rafboy]

Hi eveyrone,

I just had the stock stereo on my 2008 Versa 1.8 replaced by a detachable face Kenwood (Kenwood KDC-MP342U without the HD-Radio enabled) with USB and AUX input. Everything sound great, but the reception on my radio now sucks. Some of the stations that used to come in crystal clear (here in L.A.) on my stock unit, now get nothing but static. The installer checked the antenna adaptor (VERSA SEDAN 07 Radio Antenna Adapter) and everything checked out. He suggests that there's probably an incompatibility between the head unit and the stock antenna, but couldn't suggest a work around.

Can anyone suggest a fix? Is there an antenna signal booster that I can buy and have installed? Should I get a new antenna? If so, which one? Would I have to get a new antenna adaptor with the after-market antenna AND the after-market stereo?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[kartracer90]

Changing the radio will not change your reception. Check your ground, make sure it's good and tight. As for the antena booster i would suggest against it, a booster boosts all signal statitic included. did u hook up the blue with that comes on the antena adaptor to the power antena wire on the radio? If not there's your problem!

[rafboy]

Yes. The installer pulled out the unit and showed me that the blue wire was connected to the power antenna activation on the Kenwood unit. Everything was grounded tightly.

[rafboy]

Does anyone have any experience with this Clarion model?:

http://www.clarion.com/us/en/p....html

The Kenwood I just had installed has atrocious radio reception- even when I'm in the city the station broadcasts from.

I figured the stock radio that I just pulled out is a Clarion, so in theory, the DUZ385SAT should work well with the same radio reception. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

[williamk10]

don't forget the Versa uses an amplified antenna so you'll need to give it 12v power. I had the same problem when I switched out my HU without realizing that. Staticy on most stations and nothing when i went into underground parking.

[rafboy]

Thanks for the tip.The installer said that he connected the blue wire on the antenna adaptor to the antenna power. I'm under the impression that it was done.How did you give it the 12V? Do your stations sound clear now?

Thanks again!
Modified by rafboy at 9:59 AM 2/8/2010

[rafboy]

Sorry to keep posting over and over. I'm just really frustrated. My apologies.I've done a few hours of research on the web and gleaned two different bits of advice on the installation of the head unit with the antenna adaptor- about half say to connect the blue wire from the adaptor to the head unit, and the other half say to crimp it off- unconnected.This guy says that he connected the blue wire to a ground screw behind the dash?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii87KoLvlH0

Anyone have ideas?Thanks again, in advance.

[Promise Land]

Don't apologize for asking a lot of questions. That's what the forum is here for.

[rafboy]

Thanks.

I disconnected the antenna adaptor and saw that the guy connected that blue wire from the adaptor to a bluish black wire on the head unit. I disconnected it and connected it to the blue wire with the white stripe. Problem solved

Getting my installation charge refunded too!

[kartracer90]

The blue with a white is a remote for say an amp turn on. On some kenwood and Jvc radios i have seen the power antena wire doesnt put out the required 12v its less. Still good radios. As far as the Clarion that you mentioned i have put two in at work and so far i havent seen any problems and they were great units