Car Stereos: 2005 Nissan Altima Antenna, 2005 nissan altima, antenna amplifier

Question
My 2005 Nissan Altima was in the shop for rear end damage.  The rear windshield had to be removed.  The readio reception is now all static.  I suspect the antenna connection at the rear window or the antenna amplifier.  Where do I find the antenna connection and how can I test the amplifier to make sure it is working?

Answer
Hi Troy,

According to my information, your factory antenna amplifier is located on the passenger-side "C" pillar.  If you remove the plastic cover, you should be able to find the amplifier underneath.  Wiring from the antenna amplifier should be connected to the embedded antenna in the rear glass, probably very close to the amplifier location.  Usually there's a pair of terminal connections soldered right onto the glass; the wires connect with a detachable connector, either a spade-type terminal or a round terminal very similar to the ones used with a 9v battery.

Unfortunately, I don't have very exact information about the antenna and amplifier wiring other than the location of the amplifier, nor do I have exact information about how to remove the plastic C-pillar cover.  Usually such panels are held in place with clips, and they can just be pulled away; but it's possible that there's a hidden screw.  The antenna amplifier should have a green wire, which is the activation wire from the head unit; it should test with voltage whenever the factory radio is switched on.  The only easy way to test the antenna amplifier would be to disconnect the power and see if there's a noticeable effect on the radio reception.

If I had to guess, I'd say that the antenna just wasn't connected after the rear window was installed.  While you're looking, you might also want to double-check the connections of the rear defroster grid; there should be a connector at each side of the window.

Hope this helps!

Brian