QuestionQUESTION: Hello Brian I have a radio FM/AM with a casette player that came in truck . The FM went out some six months ago (just static) the Am and casette worked just fine. well I finely found a replacment at the junk yard that was the same and bought it and installed it (the man that took it out said that it worked on FM ;AM and cassette but when I installed it the FM also didn't work . He said that I could get my money back if I chose to but I wanted to see if there could be another reason that keeps the FM from working (the casette doe's work better in the one I bought ) Could there be another reason it won't pick up the FM stations
ANSWER: Hi Les,
If you're having the same problem on two different radios, then I'd suspect the problem lies in the antenna or antenna cable. Your truck's antenna cable runs from the antenna on the passenger-side fender into the passenger kick panel area (the kick panel is to the right of the passenger's feet), where there's a junction in the cable. Then the cable runs up behind the glove box to the radio.
I'd suggest finding the junction point in the kick panel, and make sure it's still tightly connected. It's not uncommon for the cable to come partially unplugged at this point. The antenna cable looks like a typical black coaxial cable, just like the kind used on the TV in your house, except that it uses a different type of connector. You'll probably need to pull off the plastic sill panel, which runs along the bottom of the door opening, then take out one or two screws to remove the kick panel piece. The antenna cable and junction will be behind the panel.
Hope this helps!
Brian
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello Brian I tryed your suggestion this morning removed the kick panal .the antenna cable was intact .I even took it loose and then put it back together . I was hoping that maybe you had another possible suggestion
AnswerHi Les,
Sorry about the delay in answering your follow-up. Unfortunately, I don't have any other "quick fixes" to offer.
In a case like this, I'd probably try substituting a different antenna to determine whether the problem is in the factory antenna or the radio. There isn't any separate antenna amplifier or wiring issue that could cause this problem; the trouble has to be in one of the two components. Of course, in the installation shop I have access to a universal AM/FM antenna so it's pretty easy to make the switch. If you don't have a spare vehicle antenna lying around, it might be a bit more difficult; though you can usually find a universal antenna at an auto parts store for less than $15. You don't have to mount the antenna to the fender to use it for troubleshooting; you can just plug it in, and see what happens. If you still get no FM reception with the alternate antenna, you can be certain that the problem is in the radio; if the reception improves, then you'll probably need to replace your truck's antenna.
Hope this helps!
Brian
