Renault Traffic Radio

MrFrisp · 04-02-2026 01:28PM #1

Hi guys..

I have a Renault Traffic, 2015, with the factory fit radio.. Renault Trafic III (X82) 2015 Radio CD-Player DVD-Player Navigation 281151185R

It's a work van and has been off the road for a while. Found out the hard way now that there's a problem with the aerial, as once I'm even a small bit outside the city, the radio reception is gone. That applies to all stations.

There's a usb port at the front, so would there be any usb aerial that would work plugged into that? I do understand that it's an old unit.

I don't really want to be removing the radio to get at the aerial cable behind it, or worse again, be removing the headlining, as both those options will be a major dose.

Any help/ideas appreciated.

cml387 · 04-02-2026 01:36PM

I presume the aerial is actually present? There's no such thing as a USB aerial.

MrFrisp · 04-02-2026 01:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124205325#Comment_124205325

Yes, original aerial is present. What I meant by a usb aerial is like the type you could plug into the back of a pc. But, I'm probably being a fair bit over optimistic.

Thanks for your reply.

MrFrisp · 04-02-2026 01:43PM

.....

Hamsterchops · 04-02-2026 01:47PM

Checklist

1/ Aerial present on roof ✓

2/ Aerial standing erect ✓

3/ Aerial plugged into back of radio ✓

MrFrisp · 04-02-2026 02:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124205361#Comment_124205361

I have no idea with regards to number 3. 1 & 2 all good.

I really don't want take out the radio to find out, as it's not my van. However, I'm getting the horrible feeling like it's what I'm going to have to do. 😢😢

MrFrisp · 04-02-2026 02:02PM

.....

cml387 · 04-02-2026 04:14PM

It's got bluetooth. Why not just link to your phone and play a radio app.

MrFrisp · 04-02-2026 05:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124205791#Comment_124205791

Hmmmm, good thinking batman.. Never thought of that.

I'll go hook it up now and see if it works.

MrFrisp · 04-02-2026 07:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124205791#Comment_124205791

Thank you again @cml387

Worked a treat.

Dirty Nails · 04-02-2026 09:35PM

More likely it's just the aerial whip thats broken internally near the bottom.

MrFrisp · 04-02-2026 10:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124206660#Comment_124206660

Would that be the end near the radio, or the part nearest the antenna?

Dirty Nails · 05-02-2026 12:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124206727#Comment_124206727

On the roof. The whip (or rod) screws in to the base. Most of them has thicker rubber near the bottom of of it with a coil of wire in it. They're easy to break if it gets bent too far. Set it to a poor station & grab the aerial low down. If reception improves that's your problem

MrFrisp · 05-02-2026 06:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124206979#Comment_124206979

I'll have to give that a skip. The aerial is directly above my head on the roof, and to get at the base of it, I'd have to remove the headlining.. I'm definitely not going anywhere near that.

Hotblack Desiato · 06-02-2026 12:44AM

He means the base of the aerial on the outside of the roof.

MrFrisp · 07-02-2026 12:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124210653#Comment_124210653

Ahh, ok. Thank you for clearing that up.

Renault Traffic Radio

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