Dreaded ANTENNA NOT DETECTED problem.

Hi Everyone,

I just started having the ANTENNA NOT DETECTED message on my Starmate 4. This install was completed just over a year ago. The antenna is mounted at the top of the windshield and the wire is completely hidden under the weather striping all the way into the car. I have swapped in my Sportster 5 and it gives the same message about the antenna so the troubleshooting points to the antenna or the dock itself.

I believe that the antenna is the issue as there is not much on the dock to go bad. My question is can I install the antenna inside the car on the dashboard? Does the antenna need to be mounted on a metal surface? I have had the same problem with the other four cars with outside antennas. In my Cadillac, I have the antenna on the dashboard on a metal speaker grill. This has been going strong on the same antenna for 4 years. I am sure that it is because the antenna is not exposed to the elements.

The Kia with the problem now does not have a metal grill on the dash to stick the antenna to. Is it necessary to have it mounted on a metal surface? If not, I am going to keep the next antenna in the vehicle.

Any ideas, suggestions, or advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all for the time and have a great day!


Respectfully,

George D.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeoGoGo

I believe that the antenna is the issue as there is not much on the dock to go bad.

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The connection points on the dock can and do go bad. You can test by putting lateral pressure on the radio or antenna plug and see what happens.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeoGoGo

My question is can I install the antenna inside the car on the dashboard? Does the antenna need to be mounted on a metal surface?

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You can install it on the dashboard (metal is not required). It just needs a clear view of the sky to work. People have better luck in the rear behind the seats under the back window.