Audio Systems: No AM reception, only some FM reception, flip down tv, rebecca rebecca

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I have a 2000 Chevy Suburban and I cannot get any AM stations to come in.  I can get some FM stations, but not all.  The FM stations that come in are for the most part clear but occasionally will get some static.  One of the FM stations that will not come in will every once in a while start to come in while I am sitting at a light but then go out again (total static) as soon as I start to drive.  I have not been able to get any of the AM stations at all.  I bought the car used so I am not sure how long this has been going on.
Answer -
Rebecca,
Try purchasing a fairly inexspensive antenna from Walmart and pull out the existing antenna from the radio and plug the new antenna into the radio. hold the antenna outside the window to see how the stations come in now. If the radio receives good with the test antenna you will at least know that the original antenna is faulty. To gain access to the antenna jack on the radio you may need to pull the radio out of the dash.

TOM,
T&D ELECTRONICS
tdeser@zoominternet.net


Tom,
Thanks for your reply.  One thing I forgot to mention is that the car has a flip-down TV installed.  When you want to watch the TV, you have to tune the radio to an FM station in the low 80's (I forget the exact station).  Do you think that could have anything to do with my poor reception.  The stations on the TV come in just fine.

Also, do I need any special tools to pull the radio out of the dash?

Thanks,
Rebecca  

Answer
Rebecca,
Now that you mentioned it, the RF modulator unit that sends the signal from the TV to the stereo is probably defective. Try bypassing the RF mod unit by pulling out the antenna wire from the stereo and plug the radio antenna directly into the stereo. To remove the stereo you will need a phillips screwdriver and possibly a nut driver for the screws holding the stereo into the dash. Contact your local Chevy dealer and ask exactly how the radio trim can be removed.

TOM,
T&D ELECTRONICS