2008 LS460 Terrible FM Reception

[sutherland]

My LS460 has very poor FM reception. It's sometimes so bad that LW is better. 

Apart from the possibility that the rear screen might need replaced, is there anything else I should check? I realise from forum searches that I'm not the only person with reception issues in an LX, but while I've found complaints I haven't found a solution. 

Thanks

[peachy]

Sounds like you need one of these 😅

[sutherland]

This would be better as it is obviously designed for Lexus and the wind noise on the LS460 is already so bad that it would make no difference:

[Tulpen]

I had a problem with AM on my 460. My local auto-radio expert found an earth problem. The radio earth is a connection on the steering box (I kid you not), they disconnected the lead, cleaned it up and it has been perfect ever since (happened 4 years ago.)

[MLW]

Is the earth the same on a 430, and where is it? My car is a bit insensitive to locking on stations. Suffolk is bad for reception, but a £1,800 radio should do better.

[Tulpen]

The 460 has electrical steering and, apparently, there are quite a few systems earthed through a connection on the steering box itself. I don't know enough about the 430 to know if that will help or not. Once the connection had been cleaned, and a lacquer coat applied, the difference to the radio reception was amazing.

[MLW]

Any ideas on a 430, I'm craving for a radio with more than 10 stations!

[sutherland]

This is a bit crazy, but it turns out my problem was caused by interference from a cigarette lighter USB adapter.

[Cotswold Pete]

1 hour ago, sutherland said:

This is a bit crazy, but it turns out my problem was caused by interference from a cigarette lighter USB adapter.

I found a dual USB port device in cigarette lighter was chucking out so much cr*p on FM that it was a nonsense.

Just means I cannot charge phone and MP3 player at same time. 

The problem is that a lot of cheap non-EU stuff is not designed with radio emmissions control, so can splat out rubbish all ove the place.

I still remember the days when CB radio would break in on the home stereo, same thing happening today with these USB devices. 

10-4 Rubber Ducky!!!!

[Antharro]

Same here. The charger for my dashcam (mini USB connector on the camera end, 5v DC) was causing interference in my LS430. I had the wire stuck in the gap between the top glove box door and the dash then run into the socket inside the arm rest. I was going to tidy it up so took the opportunity to replace the cigarette adapter end with a standard (good quality) dual USB power supply, and ran a new, high grade 5m cable along the inside of the centre console, behind the glove boxes, up the A-pillar, then into the roof lining to the cam. Bam, interference gone and much neater wiring!

[Cotswold Pete]

1 hour ago, Antharro said:

 replace the cigarette adapter end with a standard (good quality) dual USB power supply, and ran a new, high grade 5m cable along the inside of the centre console, behind the glove boxes, up the A-pillar, then into the roof lining to the cam. Bam, interference gone and much neater wiring!

What Dual USB supply unit did you use, I need to sort out my mess of cables as well as console looks like a scene from a first-fit on Grand Designs

[Antharro]

This, combined with this cable. Works nicely and leaves me an extra USB for my FM transmitter or for charging the phone etc.