Ls430 Radio Reception

[ModMan]

My 2001 LS430 is still going great, however I have a question about the radio reception.

I'm under the impression that RDS makes it 'follow' the signal. However when at home I struggle to get any radio reception (My other car gets signal fine) and down the M1 on my daily trip It keeps losing the signal. First time I've had this problem in any car/radio.

So, what is the problem likely to be, the little stubby aerial on the roof, or a problem with the radio itself? I don't fancy ripping it out to check the plug.

Cheers,

[steve2006]

I was under the impression that the LS430 had the radio aerial integrated into the rear window demister and the stubby roof aerial was for the mobile phone.

Mine is an import LS400 and has a similar system and there is an antenae amplifier mounted in the passenger side of the boot.

[chrisfs]

Mine is poor too. I travel the M4 every week and regularly lose decent quality reception of, say, Radio 5 Live all the time.

I seem to recall someone writing on here that the aerial is close to the windscreen edge and can be damaged when the windscreen is replaced. Seems like mine got worse when the screen was replaced, but in all honesty I could just be imagining that.

[mikesands]

I think Steve is right - it uses the demister wiring. I've had other cars thhat did this and reception was never very good. I couldn't pick up radio 4 at all for several days

Mike

[lexusls4302001]

I have the same problem with my LS430 (01 plate), even with a small electronic antenna on the front windscreen. Th eprevious owner was probably fed up with the reception from his original aerial and added this electronic antenna, but will little benefit!

[Manc]

ive got a mk2 and the reception was no good in those days either..fm is ok......... when it finds a damn station that is, it just scrolls forever.... but i listen to talksport of 5 live and both are poor signals. Electronic interference could be it...just put the household stereo aerial near plugs and you shall hear what it can do.

The RX300 has superb reception but the LS for some reason is really poor for such a good system

You'd have to find the wiring diagram to see if you can bypass the integrated stuff and go direct to the assy......not a simple job as the cars are built well

[TrevorK]

Hi Can anyone help. Have a 2005/6 Lexus LS 430. Great car but radio reception is terrible. Lots of fading signals, hissing and crackling. It sounds like the signal from the aerial (understand this is in rear window) is not getting to radio. Can anyone tell me which way the signal goes and where/what are the various components between the aerial and the radio. In other cars I have had there is a coaxial cable between the aerial and the radio. This does not seem to be the case in this car.

I have the repair manual but not sure it helps.

If anyone knows of a really good car audio company near Bromley, Kent, I would like to hear from them.

If anyone has anything to contribute no matter how small I should be very grateful

Trevor