I have called every windshield shop and Acura Dealer in town and can't get a confident answer to the question, "Does my 2001 3.2TL front windshield have an antenna built in to it?"

Windshield shops tell me that they are not showing an integral antenna as an option.

Acura dealers couldn't give me an answer, but knew that they could replace the windshield for roughly double what the windshield shops could.

 

I believe the antenna is located in the rear window, not the front.

 

that is correct

 

Yup. I believe that little "blister" that is located between the roof and the rear window on the right side of the car is where the wires hook up into the antenna lines on the top of the window.

 

Yep - antenna embedded in the rear window.. that is why they say to always wipe the inside of that window horizontally as opposed to wiping vertically/against the direction of the antenna --- so you don't dislodge it in any way... the antenna simply looks like the lines from the rear defroster...

 

So, what is in the front? I asked that question some time ago and nobody could answer... Who is gonna be a hero and find out what is that mysterious lattice pattern right above the rear view mirror?

 

hey guys i have horrible reception EVERYWHERE i go for FM AND AM. acura dealer had no idea what to do. is there any external antenna i can buy and just hide the mast in the trunk somewhere. has anybody done this with other cars or any options for me!?!?!? 00 tl thanks!

 

gregtomash,
perhaps its similar to crop circles :-/

 

there is nothing in the front. the dot matrix above the rear vies mirror is there to help keep sun out when the visors are down, but there shouldnt be any thing n the front

 

i haven't had my TL for too long, but i thought that black patch of interlocking-type-circles thing on the windshield around the rearview mirror was just to block the sun, since when you look in the mirror on a bright sunny day, you don't want to be blinded. that black design is also on the rear window near the top. i thought it was just to help shield some of the sun...

*shrug*... i don't think it serves some important technical purpose or anything.. just my thought... could be wrong...

Edit: Hehe..oopss.. i guess he beat me to it while i was typing this! :toothless there's your answer

 

Just a guess but couldn't the pattern above the rear view mirror be the transmitting antenna for the garage door opener/home security thing?

 

ummm no, do you see an antenna on your garage opener remote? no, because it is an radio frequency that is sent

and how did you find this random old post!!??? haha

 

nope only there to block out sun

 

Well actually, all RF devices have an antenna. It's length is a function of frequency it uses. An antenna does not have to look like the one on the controller of your toy R/C car. If you open up your remote you would most likely see a long thick trace somewhere on the circuit board inside. This is the antenna (same thing in many wireless phones). Anyway, it was just a guess and I don't doubt it is a fancy sunscreen. I found this post from a search for rear window defrosters. I have several dead lines and wanted to know if anyone has repaired theirs...

 

very true, I should have said that first, but Im sure the necessary "antenna" is up right by the control buttons. it wouldnt be practical to leave that exposed.