Dodgy roof wiring? Ibiza FR 1.8T 2006

[fluffmitten]

Hi there everyone, I've had a good search on the threads but I'm a bit stuck and wonder if anyone can help with a question? It's about wiring that goes through the roof and whether two problems I've got might be connected.

First up, I've got an Ibiza FR 1.8T 2006 (not the facelift version), it's OVNI yellow but I guess that doesn't really matter

Problem 1: Reverse light not working, it's not the bulb or the fuse. Local garage reckons it's probably the wiring (which goes across the roof, so I've left it due to lack of funds - it's not an MOT fail so I just reverse carfeully lol).

Problem 2: My brother's helped me fit my old Alpine HU and while FM reception's really good, I can't get MW or LW at all. We've tried a couple of different boosters but they don't make any difference and the supplier reckons the Alpine shouldn't need a booster anyway. I know the HU works as it was fine in my old Astra (we've fitted steering controls and an iPod unit in the Ibiza and they work fine too).

On some other posts I noticed people had trouble with their aerials - I was going to swap mine for my bro's to see if it helped but couldn't get mine off (I think I could after reading your tips though - cheers everyone!) Was thinking my aerial might not be the problem though because FM reception is good? It's the original one AFAIK, the long one with the wire coiled around it.

Another thing someone mentioned that got me thinking was that maybe the wire from the aerial to the HU was the problem and that it went across the roof. Had anyone had this and did it knacker your lights too?

I'm starting to wonder what the previous owner did to the roof of my poor car

Any help would be brilliant cheers, I'd really appreciate any advice. I really want Radio 5 in time for the new football season and I keep missing Danny Baker

 

[Edward9th]

I can't help with the aerial problem (if at all!!!), but regarding the reverse light - you don't mention the switch. Have you looked at that? You could try running an extra length of wire from the fuse to the light, then if that works, from fuse to switch, then switch to light. That should at least localise the fault.
I would guess the most vulnerable bit would be in the 'accordion' gaiter connecting body and hatch. I've always thought it stupid to have lights in the hatch - it caused me extra hassle when fitting reversing sensors :-(

 

[AndyC567]

Problem 2: My brother's helped me fit my old Alpine HU and while FM reception's really good, I can't get MW or LW at all. We've tried a couple of different boosters but they don't make any difference and the supplier reckons the Alpine shouldn't need a booster anyway. I know the HU works as it was fine in my old Astra (we've fitted steering controls and an iPod unit in the Ibiza and they work fine too).

Exactly what mine did when the aerial base was full of water, FM fine but no MW.

I changed the aerial base as the water had coroded the little PCB inside it.

Bit of a battle with the head lining (becareful not to crease it) but not to bad.

All radio bands (FM,MW etc) all fine with new base.

On the subject of after market HU's, you will need to get one or an adapter that will supply power up the coax to the amp in the base of the aerial or else you will get similar broblems, FM fine but no MW. I guess that is your problem here, the aerial base amp is not getting any power.

 

[fluffmitten]

I can't help with the aerial problem (if at all!!!), but regarding the reverse light - you don't mention the switch. Have you looked at that? You could try running an extra length of wire from the fuse to the light, then if that works, from fuse to switch, then switch to light. That should at least localise the fault.
I would guess the most vulnerable bit would be in the 'accordion' gaiter connecting body and hatch. I've always thought it stupid to have lights in the hatch - it caused me extra hassle when fitting reversing sensors :-(

Aha, I hadn't tried that so I'll give it a go, cheers for the tip! Totally agree about the hatch, nothing but trouble putting the lights on it

 

[fluffmitten]

Exactly what mine did when the aerial base was full of water, FM fine but no MW.

I changed the aerial base as the water had coroded the little PCB inside it.

Bit of a battle with the head lining (becareful not to crease it) but not to bad.

All radio bands (FM,MW etc) all fine with new base.

On the subject of after market HU's, you will need to get one or an adapter that will supply power up the coax to the amp in the base of the aerial or else you will get similar broblems, FM fine but no MW. I guess that is your problem here, the aerial base amp is not getting any power.

So when you got yours working, was that with the OEM unit? Hmm, thanks - sounds like the next thing might be check the aerial base but be prepared to have another go with the boosters one last time. Thinking about it I could get MW on the OEM unit - I still have it so maybe I ought to try it out to narrow things down a bit

Thanks for the advice, hope it doesn't rain tomorrow so I can take a proper look