C5 Coupe Antenna Question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
C5 Coupe Antenna Question
I'm preparing to install my new Android head unit (thanks again for the awesome thread bjmsam), and I'm trying to decide if I should replace the (evidently, active?) antenna in my coupe with an aftermarket, also-active antenna. There's one on Crutchfield with pretty good reviews.
My reception is awful on both AM and FM on the stock radio. I was browsing the C5 FAQ and learned two things that surprised me: The C5 coupe has an antenna module? And a REAR glass antenna? Wha?
I tried to look for this rear antenna and could find nothing, unless it's built in to the defogger. The front antenna is pretty obvious though.
My car is a 2003, is it possible this is something that later C5's don't have?
My reception is awful on both AM and FM on the stock radio. I was browsing the C5 FAQ and learned two things that surprised me: The C5 coupe has an antenna module? And a REAR glass antenna? Wha?
I tried to look for this rear antenna and could find nothing, unless it's built in to the defogger. The front antenna is pretty obvious though.
My car is a 2003, is it possible this is something that later C5's don't have?
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
AFAIK all C5 coupes had the same antenna module behind the drivers seat. It's under the carpet on the back wall, near the door, about 6" off the floor.
If your reception is bad with the stock radio it will prob be nonexistent with an aftermarket HU. I would suggest you just get the new antenna and install it with the radio.
If your reception is bad with the stock radio it will prob be nonexistent with an aftermarket HU. I would suggest you just get the new antenna and install it with the radio.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
AFAIK all C5 coupes had the same antenna module behind the drivers seat. It's under the carpet on the back wall, near the door, about 6" off the floor.
If your reception is bad with the stock radio it will prob be nonexistent with an aftermarket HU. I would suggest you just get the new antenna and install it with the radio.
If your reception is bad with the stock radio it will prob be nonexistent with an aftermarket HU. I would suggest you just get the new antenna and install it with the radio.
EDIT: Question two, assuming that I do have this antenna module, it seems like it'd be a fairly simple process to mount the aftermarket antenna at the top of the rear glass and run the wire down to the current antenna module's position. Then, I'd remove the plugs from the antenna module, connect the antenna power to the +12v that the head unit sends for antenna activate at the module and attach the aerial to the 'antenna out' of the module ('in' to the head unit).
Do you see any issues with this setup for cutting out the existing antennas and antenna module? Seems like the only wiring I'd have to run and hide would be the new antenna's wire from the top of the glass to behind the driver's seat, which is pretty awesome.
Last edited by Trios; Apr 23, 2015 at 01:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
I've done a fair amount of coax splicing, so I figured I'd take a shot at building my own adapter or just *gasp* slicing the ends off the connectors and splicing it.
Also, thanks Mark. You've been very helpful! If you're ever in Seattle send me a PM and I'll buy you a beer or three.
Last edited by Trios; Apr 23, 2015 at 02:12 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 78
From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
My C5Z has a 4" Antenna on the trunk and I get fantastic reception, even in the tunnels around here....
You could probably put one under the carpet behind the seats.....just a thought.
You could probably put one under the carpet behind the seats.....just a thought.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
When I say 'antenna' connection, I am talking coax, and 'normal' connection would be a standard plug that leads to individual wires. I did order the aftermarket antenna and I'll be mounting it either in the rear glass or behind the seat and running it over to the antenna module, which will be bypassed and disconnected. I'll report back on how that all works.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 832
Likes: 14
From: Lake Charles Louisiana
Just thought I'd mention here, I found my antenna module. However, it only has 1 antenna connector in, and 1 antenna connector out. There appears to be two 'normal' two-pin connectors, one of which I assume to be the +12v and +5v from the radio, the other of which I don't know what it is.
When I say 'antenna' connection, I am talking coax, and 'normal' connection would be a standard plug that leads to individual wires. I did order the aftermarket antenna and I'll be mounting it either in the rear glass or behind the seat and running it over to the antenna module, which will be bypassed and disconnected. I'll report back on how that all works.
When I say 'antenna' connection, I am talking coax, and 'normal' connection would be a standard plug that leads to individual wires. I did order the aftermarket antenna and I'll be mounting it either in the rear glass or behind the seat and running it over to the antenna module, which will be bypassed and disconnected. I'll report back on how that all works.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
I then plugged in the stock antenna into the head unit, and to my flabbergastment the reception was actually pretty damn good. So, I ditched the aftermarket antenna and have been using the car's built-in antenna ever since.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
On my '03 Z06 I wanted to get rid of the stock antenna. It makes the car look like a radio control car. So I had the hole filled and turned the antenna sideways to run inside the bumper behind the taillights. I recently installed a Kenwood DNX691HD and the reception is still excellent with the antenna mounted this way.