Poor radio reception-W212

[reflexboy]

The FM radio reception in my W212 is awful. Any suggestions as to what it could be? I have only tested FM, as that is the only radio band I listen to. I have powered down my dash cam as I have read that they can interfere with DAB and wondered if I was getting the same, but unfortunately not.

I have read about aerial amplifiers going bad or the fuse blowing. Any idea where I'd find the fuse for this, or even if I have an aerial amplifier?

 

[kjl]

I used to have no problem with DAB reception until the Mercedes garage updated the comand software and then it was terrible and kept dropping out and even FM kept dropping out. Personally I think the problem is the radio is not switching automatically to the strongest wavelength as when the programme fades away you can get it back by pressing the station preset button.
I went back to the dealer in November last year and they said a software update fix should be coming out but as I am wintering in Spain I haven't been back to get it updated to see if that will fix it. But it is annoying that for the first six months I owned the car there was no problem with radio reception and I couldn't really understand why people on this forum had radio reception problems but now I have joined the moaners.

 

[reflexboy]

Well guys, I'm still no further on with my poor FM reception. I did manage to get hold of the location diagrams of the antenna amplifiers.
It would seem the 'FM2 amplifier' is located behind the C pillar paneling and is just a co-axial cable in and a single wire out connected to the rear screen.
The 'FM1 amplifier' is located at the rear of the head lining/top of the rear screen and looks like it is powered as it has a co-axial cable going into it, three wires coming out of it that connect to the rear screen and two orange wires which I presume are power.
I tuned into a very weak (pirate) radio station and found pulling the leads off both antenna amplifiers make no difference at all, nor does pulling fuse 46 in the boot which is for the 'antenna module/amplifier'. Strangely, I did find with the boot open the signal improves a little, but I have put that down to the signal reflection of the metal surface of the boot lid, as the antennas are in the rear screen.
I suppose in hindsight, I should have checked for 12 volts at the orange wires going into 'FM1 amplifier'.
I have also ruled out my dashcam as turning that on/off makes zero difference to the FM radio reception.
Does anyone have any further suggestions?

 

[Dec]

Alarm going bad, does it work properly?

Dec

 

[reflexboy]

Alarm going bad, does it work properly?

Dec

It does yes. Works perfectly. I can now also confirm there is power at the orange wires. Any idea what FM1 amp does and FM2 amp does? Or are there just two FM amps for the same thing?

 

[Dec]

Sorry, no idea, i think you need an expert.

Dec

 

[HairyBreeks]

It does yes. Works perfectly. I can now also confirm there is power at the orange wires. Any idea what FM1 amp does and FM2 amp does? Or are there just two FM amps for the same thing?

Old post I know but did you resolve this as I have the same issue on my C207 E class coupe? Reception is slightly better when the FM1 amplifier under headlining plugged in, suggesting the amp is doing some work, however still way below where is should be. Tried buying a different amp but this didn't improve things.

Mine is the coupe and not sure if I also have the FM2 amp in the C pillar as cant find any information on this.

Any advice much appreciated!