Jimny 55 plate CD Player not working

Hi Derk,

I didn't have any problems with DAB fitted to my Jimny (Android 8.1) but had two problems with DAB fitted to my other car (Android 9).

I had repeated noise problems with the Xtrons head unit fitted to my other car, when the screen was on there was a huge amount of noise in the same frequency band as DAB (200 - 220MHz), so much noise it stopped DAB reception, except where the signal was really strong, like under the transmitter. The problem turned out to be poor earthing on the Xtrons unit, I eventually wrapped copper tape round the case and took an earth strap to the chassis, this fixed the problem.

You might want to look at this thread, specifically the post in this link which shows how I solved the noise problem with copper tape.

forum.xda-developers.com/t/dab-app-real-...609608/post-81667595

I will stress again that this was not on my Jimny, which was an Android 8.1 head unit, but on my other car an Android 9 unit. Android 10 might not have the same problems, but if it does the fix was easy enough. Others have reported a similar problem with other manufacturers units and a couple of people also cured the noise with copper tape.

Now to the Xtrons DAB dongle, one of mine failed after 6 months and since it was during lockdown it had hardly been used. Xtrons refused to replace it, said it only had 3 months warranty. After all of the trouble I had with noise, many emails, I wasn't impressed and Amazon didn't help out either. So bought a cheap DAB USB stick from eBay and that has worked perfectly ever since (almost 10 months), that's why Xtrons got a poor review from me.

They aren't the manufacturer, just re-badge, the head units are good enough, but in my opinion the DAB dongle is not worth the extra money from Xtrons and any cheap DAB dongle from eBay should work just fine. Download and install DAB-z, it's a good player and Zoulou in the XDA-Developers link is the guy who writes it, he is super helpful.

Robin

Perfect, thanks Robin! I’m excited to give it all a go now!

Nice one Robin, interesting information. I've filled it away as one day I can see me going for an Android head unit.
Good luck Derk, let us know how it goes.
Mike

Right, just if anyone is interested I put in the Xtrons all singing all dancing jobby this week (please see attached before and after) I know you guys are no strangers to these sort of things but I have never replaced a car radio before let alone changing it for a non like for like!
The only think I wouldn’t mind asking about this is do I need to install the GPS antenna? If so, does anyone know where best to fit the antenna and then run the lead?

Thanks everyone!

Derk

Most decent GPS antenna should be able to get a good signal from inside the dashboard as long as they can see upwards. It's only plastic and glass between them not steel so you don't have to see the wires. Certainly the tracking module I had in my defender was quite happy hiding somewhere in the dashboard and that was nearly 6 odd years ago now.

Looking good Derk, hope it is all working correctly. I put the GPS antenna under the dashboard, close to the top air vents and as Lambert says it’s only plastic and glass.

I did the same in my other car, but then that is a soft top so less metal.

The GPS works very well in my Jimny, always gets about 12 satellites and gets lock very quickly.

Robin