2006 DB9 Radio issues

[Rps1106]

Hi all, just wondered if anyone has any thoughts on a problem that has arisen over the last week. When I put the radio on, I get crackling from all speakers. You can hear the radio station, but there is also crackling come from the speakers. if you turn the volume up, the crackling gets louder too. Its as if the station isn't tuned in properly. It happens on all stations and even if you turn on the ignition but not start the engine it is just the same.

I haven't changed anything as far as I am aware except a several weeks back the battery isolation button turned itself on all by itself. I just pressed it and everything was fine again. This happened a second time a few days later but not since.

It's annoying because the radio is unusable like it is.

Many thanks.

[LTP]

Is it the same on all frequencies? And all wavebands? What about if you use the CD?

Edited by LTP on Saturday 13th January 20:36

[Simpo Two]

Crackling or static?

[Rps1106]

Simpo Two said:

Crackling or static?

It sounds as if you haven't tuned in the station dead on, like it is slightly off frequency.

[Rps1106]

LTP said:

Is it the same on all frequencies? And all wavebands? What about if you use the CD?

Edited by LTP on Saturday 13th January 20:36

Yes, same on all stations and all frequencies. I haven't tried the CD. I'll do that tomorrow afternoon.

[Simpo Two]

Rps1106 said:

It sounds as if you haven't tuned in the station dead on, like it is slightly off frequency.

So static (a hiss) then. My first thought is an earthing issue somewhere. Maybe some rain got in?

[Rps1106]

Rps1106 said:

Yes, same on all stations and all frequencies. I haven't tried the CD. I'll do that tomorrow afternoon.

CD is fine.

[LTP]

Rps1106 said:

CD is fine.

To my simple mind the amp and speakers are OK, so it look like it's something specific to the radio.

Did you say it has the noise on all of the wavebands (FM; MW; LW; SW - depending which your unit can receive)?

[Rps1106]

LTP said:

To my simple mind the amp and speakers are OK, so it look like it's something specific to the radio.

Did you say it has the noise on all of the wavebands (FM; MW; LW; SW - depending which your unit can receive)?

Hi LTP - yes, that is correct. All stations on FM and MW. You can hear the selected radio station, but there is a lot of static that goes with it.

[LTP]

Rps1106 said:

Hi LTP - yes, that is correct. All stations on FM and MW. You can hear the selected radio station, but there is a lot of static that goes with it.

My uneducated guess is some issue with the antenna connection(s). Have you done something to the car (or had something done) immediately before the problem started?

[Rps1106]

LTP said:

My uneducated guess is some issue with the antenna connection(s). Have you done something to the car (or had something done) immediately before the problem started?

No, nothing at all. The only thing that has happened is the battery isolator switch activated itself a couple of times a week or so before I noticed the radio issue. No idea why it did this, but seems fine now.

[Rps1106]

So, just to finish this story. It turned out it needed a new radio! After 17 years, it had given up!

[Simpo Two]

Rps1106 said:

So, just to finish this story. It turned out it needed a new radio! After 17 years, it had given up!

How was that diagnosed? Or did you just swap it and take the chance?

Radios shouldn't wear out - they're solid state...

[Rps1106]

Simpo Two said:

How was that diagnosed? Or did you just swap it and take the chance?

Radios shouldn't wear out - they're solid state...

Took it to HWM. They diagnosed it as a new tuner was required. Apparently, the tuner is located behind the rear offside wheel. It seems the rain and dirt eventually got into it. They had to get a new one direct from Aston Martin. All working fine now.

[Simpo Two]

Rps1106 said:

Took it to HWM. They diagnosed it as a new tuner was required. Apparently, the tuner is located behind the rear offside wheel.

Thanks. This is why I don't work on my car; I'd have been looking behind the dashboard!

A radio in the wheel arch, so damn obvious when you think about it!

[SHIFTY]

It's quite scary what you find under each wheel arch liner all of them have electronic components held within I take off the wheel liners and spray with Dynax S50 to hopefully alleviate any future problems.

[Rps1106]

Simpo Two said:

Thanks. This is why I don't work on my car; I'd have been looking behind the dashboard!

A radio in the wheel arch, so damn obvious when you think about it!

Apparently, the dashboard fascia is just the controls!

[Simpo Two]

Rps1106 said:

Apparently, the dashboard fascia is just the controls!

It saves having to stop and poke about in the wheel arch every time you want to change station...

You would think, if such gubbins really has to be in such a place, they'd amalgamate it all into a nice waterproof box like a fusebox.