Car Stereos: Signal in Radio, antenna wire, radio reception

Question
I recently bought a 2004 Malibu and my radio reception had been working fine until the other day. Got in my car and the radio was up and down with static. My cd player works fine.What should I check? It has the antenna in the glass. I had taken it back to the dealership a few days before that because none of my interior lights were working, the lock/unlock button wasn't working and also my side mirrors weren't moving. They fixed the problem. Think something happened to my radio in the mix? If not what do you suggest I check or do? Got to have my radio. Thanks.

Answer
Andrea, Normally, when the reception goes out, there is a problem with the antenna or antenna wire.  My guess is that when they diagnosed and repaired your electrical problems, they jiggled some wires under the dash.  In doing that, they probably knocked the or pulled the antenna wire loose from the radio.  It will need to be reattached to the radio.  If you tell the dealer that it started happening on your way home from them, they may fix it for you for nothing.  Depending on your underdash configuration, they may be able to plug it in without having to remove any panels or the radio.  If not, they may need to pull a couple of panels and the radio to plug the wire back in.  There is an off possibility that they over bent the antenna wire while pulling on wires under the dash.  If so, the antenna wire may be broken and may need replacing.  Unfortunately, the antenna wire is part of a wiring harness, and it is pretty expensive, so I would definitely try and get them to fix it for free.  Just tell them that your reception has worked since you took the car home from their repairs.  Hope this helps, Scott