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HighlanderGeneral discussion forum for the Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid.
This is a discussion thread titled "Poor Radio reception", within the Highlander forum, part of the SUV Forums category.
I recently purchased an 06 Highlander Lmd with in-glass antenna with FM diversity reception. The radio (JBL)reception is is really poor. Is the problem the antenna? My 05 Tundra with manual antenna and my 03 Sequoia with power antenna give much better reception and sound quality.
My '05 non-Limited actually has a whip antenna, and I was not aware they had switched to diversity on the Hybrid. I have had other cars with that, the radio would choose the better signal between the rear window embedded wire and one somewhere else hidden--don't recall where. Basically, while it chooses the best, I found that something embedded and hidden just is not going to equal a 28" metal pole when you live in a rural area like I do. Especially on AM, the reception is very limited.
__________________
Jim
'06 Avalon Limited
'06 Lexus RX 400h
My last HL LTD had no problems with that antenna. My current HL is a non-LTD and has the whip. I really don't notice that much of a difference. The whip may pull in a few ore stations or allow me to keep a tuned station for a few more miles than the window antenna, but not much mmore.
My suggestion is to call your service dept and let them know. My "guess" is that you either have a loose connection or a bad line from the antenna to the radio. Good luck!
I have no problems with HL LTD but then again I am in the big city. I noticed the reception is much poorer if I'm 60+ miles out of the city. I could tell there is a difference comparing it to my other vehicle around that same distance.
We have the 2006 Highlander Hybrid, live in a rural area, and the FM reception varies between poor and non-existent. We've taken it to our dealer several times, and they say "that is the way it is." We also have a 1991 Toyota truck, vanilla sound system, and wonderful reception; likewise, a 99 RAV4, no sound system upgrades, wonderful reception. We're pretty irritated that we went "top of the line" in the vehicle, and have bottom of the line sound.
We have the 2006 Highlander Hybrid, live in a rural area, and the FM reception varies between poor and non-existent. We've taken it to our dealer several times, and they say "that is the way it is." We also have a 1991 Toyota truck, vanilla sound system, and wonderful reception; likewise, a 99 RAV4, no sound system upgrades, wonderful reception. We're pretty irritated that we went "top of the line" in the vehicle, and have bottom of the line sound.
The in the glass antenna's are nice but this is what you suffer with, my Tundra was also better.
__________________ 06 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited (former ride - 05 Tundra Limited Double Cab, 4x4, TRD Pkg, Trailer Tow, Auto Dimming mirror, Factory Bed Liner, Running Boards, Bug Deflector, Sun roof):
Wife's Car :05 Prius - White, Option package 6, Glass Break Sensor, Mods: Auto door lock, Molded mud flaps, Cargo Net. Not much more you can get on it.
Oh by the way, "Batteries are included" with the Prius & Highlander Hybrids
We understand that in-the-glass antenna is the problem. Does anyone have a work-around? Is there an after-market solution?
We are actually considering installing a second receiver in the glove box!
Really irritating thing is that stations we don't want come in fine....it is the low end of the FM dial we're having trouble receiving.
All suggestions will be welcomed!!!!
Radio Shack used to have an amplifer for radios that was powered off a 12V power source and your antenna lead plugged into it and it into the radio head. But, but I'm not sure if they still offer it, or if the Toyota radio head has/uses a conventional antenna lead plug in.
__________________ 06 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited (former ride - 05 Tundra Limited Double Cab, 4x4, TRD Pkg, Trailer Tow, Auto Dimming mirror, Factory Bed Liner, Running Boards, Bug Deflector, Sun roof):
Wife's Car :05 Prius - White, Option package 6, Glass Break Sensor, Mods: Auto door lock, Molded mud flaps, Cargo Net. Not much more you can get on it.
Oh by the way, "Batteries are included" with the Prius & Highlander Hybrids
You could just install the whip antenna used on the base Highlander. Mercedes had to do that a few years ago on the prior SLK230 after many complaints about their diversity antenna.
__________________
Jim
'06 Avalon Limited
'06 Lexus RX 400h
Poor Radio reception
Linear Mode
