2008 XM Radio Reception Problems

[math13]

[math13]

I am in West Monroe. I bought the car in Dallas, but the local dealer (Van Trow) has been very kind to me. He told me moving the antenna was not covered under warranty, but he moved it anyway. XM recommends that the antenna be on the outside. He placed it under the other antenna (back middle of roof). It does not hurt warranty.

[nascrlvr]

math....thanks for the reply. Do you have anything official from XM about antenna placement? I would love to be able to take that to the dealer. Let me know either way. Again, thanks for the information...much appreciated.

[math13]

Sorry, I don't. I called Pro Tech Concepts, they install xm aftermarket, they told me they always put the antenna outside as recommended by xm. Maybe they have something in writing. I don't understand why all antennas aren't put outside if it makes this big of a difference. It's worth the money the dealer will charge you to move it!

[nascrlvr]

math....thanks for the information. I am still pursuing the shark fin issue with the dealer. they seem befuddled by the whole concept!! that is my preference at this point, but I still have the external antenna and wiring from my previous car and could install the external antenna myself if need be. just want an answer from the dealer on this and what my options through them are. will keep you informed....thanks again..

[rkskeet]

Hey bgreens; I had the same problem.. My 2008 originally had the XM sat antenna placed inside the car in the area of the right side dash... After experienceing poor reception, I checked around my local area with car radio technicians who do installs and was told that the antenna should be on the outside of the car.. I went back to my dealer and they mounted it right behind the standard antenna at no charge and all has worked fine since.. I got this done back in Mar of 08 when I had purchased the car... You may want to have the antenna mounted on the outside of the car and I will bet that you will see a vast improvement.. Good Luck

[bgreens]

I bought an XM radio for my son and the instructions were to put it on the outside of the car. You can find this stated on any XM radio. I wrote Toyota a letter and ask them why it was placed on the inside and ask if they would correct the problem by putting it on the outside and they told me in a nice way to drop dead! I have owned
Toyotas since the mid 1970's. A great way to treat good customer!

Originally Posted by nascrlvr

math....thanks for the reply. Do you have anything official from XM about antenna placement? I would love to be able to take that to the dealer. Let me know either way. Again, thanks for the information...much appreciated.

[bgreens]

I know it would be better. My last car was a Solara and the antenna was mounted on the upper trunk. No problems at all. I would like to meet the idiot that put it on the inside.

Originally Posted by rkskeet

Hey bgreens; I had the same problem.. My 2008 originally had the XM sat antenna placed inside the car in the area of the right side dash... After experienceing poor reception, I checked around my local area with car radio technicians who do installs and was told that the antenna should be on the outside of the car.. I went back to my dealer and they mounted it right behind the standard antenna at no charge and all has worked fine since.. I got this done back in Mar of 08 when I had purchased the car... You may want to have the antenna mounted on the outside of the car and I will bet that you will see a vast improvement.. Good Luck

[nascrlvr]

bgreens....

My dealer has contacted Gulf States Toyota over this issue of poor reception with the interior antenna. It seems as though there are some bad receivers out there. This is not an uncommon problem.....no duh!! They are going to test the receiver and if it is bad, replace it. If not, then I am getting an exterior antenna.

Will continue to post as things transpire.....

Originally Posted by bgreens

I bought an XM radio for my son and the instructions were to put it on the outside of the car. You can find this stated on any XM radio. I wrote Toyota a letter and ask them why it was placed on the inside and ask if they would correct the problem by putting it on the outside and they told me in a nice way to drop dead! I have owned
Toyotas since the mid 1970's. A great way to treat good customer!

[bubbalieb]

Originally Posted by bgreens

I have had poor reception with my XM radio when traveling North and East but no problem when traveling West and South. The problem is the XM antenna is placed inside the car at the right side of the windshield. Since the signal comes from the south west, going north and east blocks the signal. If you read the XM guide it tells you NOT to place the antenna inside the car. I wrote to Toyota and they told me their technicians thought this was the best place for the antenna and they would not make any concessions. I would like to know if anyone else is having this problem. If so we could have a class action against Toyota to find a fix for this problem or refund the price of the XM option.

have 2007. signal goes in and out. would go with class action keep me updated jack