DAB signal drops out when rear wiper is used

Faults and Technical chat for the Mazda CX-3
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mr_chris79
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Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2021 12:29 am

Post by mr_chris79 »

Has anyone come across this problem before? My 2016 CX3 model's dab cuts out and shows 'searching for signal, please change the ensemble' whenever I turn the rear wiper on? Is there anything I can go and check for a loose connection or something? As far as I can tell the wiring harness for the sharkfin passes down the C pillar and has nothing to do with the tailgate.
2016 CX3 1.5td

santa
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Location: Denmark

Post by santa »

Mine does that as well.
I must admit I haven't done anything about it yet, as I rarely use the rear wiper, but it us a bit annoying.
Mazda CX-30 2.0 150HP Aut. Cosmo w. Tech Pack in Arctic White, 2023.
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jtonline
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Post by jtonline »

The DAB radio aerial is the heated rear window, with a signal amplifier at the top of the tailgate. The shark fin on the roof is FM/AM.
It sounds like unwanted electromagnet interference from the wiper motor. It shouldn't happen with factory fitted equipment, but you can get the same effect from the wiring of some rear dash cams up to the rear window.
Has it always done this or has it only recently started?
Julian.
Sept. 2015 CX-3 Sport Nav, Dynamic Blue Mica, 1.5 Diesel, AWD, Automatic
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mr_chris79
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Joined: Wed Jun 30, 2021 12:29 am

Post by mr_chris79 »

When I got the car about 2 month's ago it didn't, and the dab worked while going through a tunnel I have to use to get to work, I don't think I opened the boot until about a week after I got it and then suddenly the dab would cut off through the tunnel and would cut out while using the wiper when it previously worked fine, also I don't have any dash cams and haven't modified anything.
2016 CX3 1.5td
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jtonline
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Post by jtonline »

It seems you may have a low signal quality issue then. As it's a new occurence, assuming it's not an issue with DAB in your local area, you could check with a multimeter the continuity of wires, and the presence of 12v and ground at the aerial amplifier, and check that all the elements of the heated window work.
Julian.
Sept. 2015 CX-3 Sport Nav, Dynamic Blue Mica, 1.5 Diesel, AWD, Automatic
http://www.jtonline.info
Please add year of registration, model info., and location to your CX-3 Forums profile ~ See here for help: http://bit.ly/2fQzMfd
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