Bose Head Unit/Antenna Operation

[senatorjames]

I went to turn down my radio, which has been sketchy lately anyway, and the antenna retracted and will not return up. The lights on the head unit also dim off and on ocassionally. Now, I have no doubt that I'm going to have to replace my stock Bose. The question is, should the antenna work independently from the head unit? Is the antenna not working because the HU went bad? The reason I ask is that I listen to Sirius from an independent unit the transmits to FM that really shouldn't need the mast antenna for operation.Thanks,Harold

[Jesda]

Even when retracted, the antenna is still working. Your sat rad should be fine.

[slinger5150]

The head unit is what tells the antenna to go up or down. If you're listening to the CD player it stays down, where as if you turn on the radio it goes up. As Jesda said it's always connected to the radio and functioning, but the reception won't be as good while in the fender.

[senatorjames]

So, If I am getting no reception with my Sat fm modulation, and my antenna refuses to operate when the radio is turned on(or off), the most likely the totality of the problem lies within the head unit being screwed up?

Another symptom that I failed to mention on the previous post,,,When the radio is turned on I get a strong hum from the rear speakers no matter what the volume is set at.Thanks for your replies,Harold

[qsiguy]

Radio is likely toast. You can check all the fuses and make sure the plugs behind the radio are in securely but those things are not likely an issue.

Have you had any modification done to the system? Subwoofers, replacement speakers, etc.? Could have a short in one of the speaker wires. I have seen this cause the radio to cease operation.

[senatorjames]

No shorts in the wires. There seems to be a short in the volume knob (crackles and varies between high and low upon wiggling). I knew that it's days were numbered and am just hoping that the antenna is not part of the problem. On a related line, is there any conflict between power antenna operation with a non-Bose/Nissan unit?Thanks, Harold