Car Stereos: 2001 Windstar Noise Filter, rear hatch, power antenna

Question
Can anyone tell me the location of any noise filters installed in this vehicle? A few weeks ago I lost AM reception (stock am/fm/cd) whenever the engine is running. FM and CD work fine. Pure static for the most part on AM. Does not seem to vary when changing RPM.

Answer
Hi Kurt,

There are no 'noise filters' on the car per se.  Losing AM reception is usually a sign of having lost antenna amplification.  Newer vehicles, such as the '01 Windstar have different types of antennas that aren't those giant metal things hanging out the side of the car.

In the case of the Windstar, I believe it's built into the rear hatch window.

Anyway, because these antennae are significantly smaller, they have 12V power source running to them to amplify the signals they get.  When that power goes away, you won't notice much wrong with FM, but you'll notice AM turns to static almost entirely.  Check all of your fuses, and if they're OK, verify that nothing got pinched in the rear hatch door.  From there, you'll have to locate and test the 12V power antenna wire from the rear of the deck to the back of the van.

Good luck,
Justin