52 C3 aerial reception

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52 C3 aerial reception

Post by leewesley20371 »

Hi everyone, I've got some issues with reception on my OH's car. There's an aftermarket radio in as the original didn't work (previous owner informed us of this). Are there any problems that I need to be aware of to sort out reception. P.S I've checked the connection on the back and all seems fine.
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Re: 52 C3 aerial reception

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

You almost certainly will need to get an original radio system (you should be able to get them reasonably cheaply from ebay, but you will need access to a Lexia system to 'introduce' the car and radio, otherwise you will get a loud beep every few seconds), as it is much more than just a radio; a lot of the car menus are accessed via the radio, and an aftermarket system will not have that ability.

If you want to make sure to get the right radio, please post up the vehicle VIN (which will, for security reasons, be obscured so only Moderators can read it), so that a Moderator can see what equipment the car had when she rolled out of the factory, including the model of radio.
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Re: 52 C3 aerial reception

Post by GiveMeABreak »

leewesley20371 wrote: 21 Jun 2019, 19:52 Hi everyone, I've got some issues with reception on my OH's car. There's an aftermarket radio in as the original didn't work (previous owner informed us of this). Are there any problems that I need to be aware of to sort out reception. P.S I've checked the connection on the back and all seems fine.
That'll do it every time. The Standard RD4 Head Unit is not just a radio - it interfaces with the vehicle systems. Get a direct replacement, or you will have electrical issues and lose access to the car's configuration options and menu, setting date and time etc.

If using an aftermarket radio - in addition to losing car option configuration, setting date and time and other data, you will also need a special harness that is compatible with the C3's electrical architecture to enable audio controls via the steering wheel audio control stalk and electrical compatibility.

It really would be simpler to get a replacement RD4 unit. I can confirm what you have when you Post the VIN or the reg number of the C3.
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Re: 52 C3 aerial reception

Post by leewesley20371 »

Thanks for the replies and here is the vin for the car, VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff].
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Re: 52 C3 aerial reception

Post by xantia_v6 »

Answering more directly the original issue, your car may have an active antenna that relies on a power feed from the head unit which is not provided by an after-market radio.
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Re: 52 C3 aerial reception

Post by GiveMeABreak »

leewesley20371 wrote: 21 Jun 2019, 23:26 Thanks for the replies and here is the vin for the car, VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff].
Right, an early MK I C3, which was fitted with the RB2 RDS system with Cassette! No on-board computer with this.

So as parts are no longer available from Citroen and the searches I have made are few and far between, you should be ok, as long as you get the correct aftermarket harness and the audio unit you have provides power to the aerial unit:

8406 below is the electric aerial module.
The wire 8454A is the Amplified + switch command, so your aftermarket head unit needs to provide the same power to the aerial unit.
C3 Aerial.PNG
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Re: 52 C3 aerial reception

Post by leewesley20371 »

Thanks guys, I'll have a look for the appropriate harness needed for the aftermarket unit and see what happens.
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Re: 52 C3 aerial reception

Post by leewesley20371 »

Right I've had a look and been down Halfrauds to check what I need to get it sorted and they've informed me if I connect the blue wire from my A/M radio to the blue wire for the aerial it will power it. Where the f*** is this blue wire for the aerial lmao not sure what to do now. Answers on a postcard please. P.S. the A/M radio has bluetooth and allows handsfree use of mobiles, this is the main reason why we wish to keep it lol.
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Re: 52 C3 aerial reception

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Right, we need some more info - as I can't see what you have, what model of aftermarket radio you have and all that.

Make and Model of A/M radio and I might be able to find a manual with some wiring info on it.
I can cross reference that with my wiring diagrams and maybe we'll be able to sort it - but until we know what is what I would NOT connect anything up without knowing for sure - I doubt they'll want to foot the bill when you short an ECU out!
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Re: 52 C3 aerial reception

Post by leewesley20371 »

It's a JVC KD-R851BT
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Re: 52 C3 aerial reception

Post by GiveMeABreak »

So what you need is one of the harnesses similar to the examples here:

https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/citroen ... -lead.html

These connect the quad lock connectors used on PSA vehicles to the ISO connectors on aftermarket units.

There are 2 possibilities shown for the C3 on that page, so I would give them a call to make sure get the right one.
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Re: 52 C3 aerial reception

Post by leewesley20371 »

Thanks Marc
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Re: 52 C3 aerial reception

Post by leewesley20371 »

Hi again guys, I have been to my local breakers and managed to source 2 head units out of 2 C3 cars, one is out of an 05 the other an 07. I now have an RD3-01 from the 05 and an RD4 in my possession. I have tried the RD3 and it works apart from a bleeping noise but the RD4 has slightly different connections. What could the bleeping noise be and how would I get rid of it.
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Re: 52 C3 aerial reception

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

The beeping noise is a security function. When the radio is fitted at the factory it is 'introduced' to the car (so it is coded to the VIN). By putting it into a car it does not 'know' it is 'worried' that it has been stolen. All that needs to be done is to connect up a Lexia system and 'introduce' the radio to the car, and that will stop the beeping.
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Re: 52 C3 aerial reception

Post by leewesley20371 »

Thanks James, do you know how much Citroen would charge for this if they do it or is there a list of Lexia owners within the forum ?
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