So I picked up a satellite radio on the serius network and I am curious if I can disable the car antenna from the fuse box, or the bottom of the antenna itself, without having to pull the unit out from the dash , its a standard ac delco with a cd player.
And the car is an 02 pontiac sunfire
Declan
::: scratches head:::
Why do you want to disable the existing AM/FM antenna?
The antenna does not go though the fuse box. There may be an antenna amplifier that is supplied with 12 volts, but then again there may not.
Based on the antennas I have seen over the last 30 years, you need to pull the antenna cable out of the back of the unit.
The satellite radio has an FM broadcaster, that goes through the existing radio. Disabling the antenna lets me listen to the sat without having FM wash from stronger signals coming in.
While there are existing solutions from serius about having a switch installed , or pulling the wire from the back , I was hoping for a more simpler solution that could be re installed in minutes , without dismantling part of the dash or contorting myself under the dash if its accesible that way.
Declan
First choice is to unplug existing antenna cable from back of existing FM radio.
Second choice is to disconnect cable at antenna.
I assume you are speaking of a powered retracting antenna which you wish to disable. I would be surprised to hear it has it’s own fuse for the one feature.
May I suggest pulling your radio from the dash is actually fairly easy to do, and at Crutchfield.com they have this modulator which will do exactly what you want at a reasonable price…
You can try unscrewing the antenna from it’s base.
Spongears I have never seen a mast antenna that has a connection at the antenna. In the glass antennas, yes, but not mast types
2gigch1 Preventing the mast from extending would not prevent the antenna from receiving signals, it would just make it much harder for the antenna to pick them up. Also this does not address how do you hook the Sirus unit up.
I would strongly suggest the switch for a couple of reasons. First off you might want to listen to a local station (traffic reports news etc). Secondly there are parts of the country where the Sirus reception sucks, and you might want to actually hear something while you drive.
The modulator is in line between the antenna and the receiver and it generates a signal at that spot. The hookup would most likely be direct from the unit to the modulator via a mini stereo to RCAs. My XM Roady has said output and I am assuming his external Sirius receiver is similarly equipped.
The point is this modulator interrupts the signals coming in from the antenna; it doesn’t matter if it’s up or down…
The super-easiest way would be to disconnect the cable at the antenna. (I did this with my dad’s '9x Pontiac Grand Prix). Just pull back the trunk liner at the side under the antenna, and unplug/unscrew/whatever the connector from it.
From experience, I can just about guarantee that’ll eliminate all FM reception. (Note that you might want to tape the end up so it doesn’t short out on anything).
I’m surprised you have such a problem over short distances though. Can’t you re-program the transmitter for an empty frequency?
Those of you who suggest taking out the radio clearly don’t own an '02 Pontiac Sunfire. In order to do such a thing, one has to take apart the entire dashboard, gauges and all, which means disabling the air bags as well. Have fun!
I suggest disconnecting it at the antenna, though off the top of my head I can’t remember if the antenna is easily unscrewed from the car body.
Using “pontiac sunfire” and “radio” in the same sentence is enough to make me cringe. I ended up putting computer speakers, a walkman and an AC power supply in my car instead.
I wish , in southern ontario it just aint happening, the best I can get is between frequencies and for the most part that works but its not perfect.
Declan
A quick glance earlier this afternoon showed that it has some sort of metal bracket thats screwed into the quarter panel, so i am gonna see about taking it apart and see what kind of connection is between the antenna and the wire.
However you did pretty much confirm what I was thinking about the complexity of the job , re taking out the radio just to disconnect the wire from the back of the unit.
Declan