AM/FM radio reception - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

bennelson · 04-06-2008, 11:20 AM

In the S10 truck that I bought back in January, it has a plain cheaper AM/FM radio which gets AM fine, but doesn't get FM at all.

There are no good AM stations in my area at all. There is one FM station that I listen to all the time.

Why does the radio get AM but not FM? Is this an antentae problem or some other reason?

i would rather make this radio work than buy a new one, especially since I only drive the truck when I need to haul something, but not having a radio drives me crazy (and no, the radio doesn't have tape or CD)
Also, radio installations are kinda a pain in the butt.

Thoughts on this!?!?!

metroschultz · 04-06-2008, 12:42 PM

Your antennae is not connected to the radio.
check the cable in the dash and make sure it is plugged into the back of the radio.
you may have to spring the $9.95 for a generic antennae and install it yourself.
sometimes the cable rusts out of the antennae where it goes through the fender.
S.

metroschultz · 04-06-2008, 06:03 PM

One of the guys here at the P.O. says there is the possibility for the F.M. tuner to burn out. I have not run accross one of those, but it is still a possibility.
S.

bennelson · 04-06-2008, 06:51 PM

I pulled the dashboard apart and got to the back of the radio. The antennae is cable is plugged in. If I unplug it, I get ZERO AM reception.

I stopped at the auto parts store for advice and to see what they have for antennaes and cables.

The guy there said that if it is just a plain cheap radio (which it is) the best thing is just to replace it. It very well could be that the FM reciever fried and the AM part still works.

RH77 · 04-06-2008, 10:39 PM

I had to replace the antenna as well -- it had one of those motorized units that busted as 99% of them do.

I just got an adjustable mount, adjustable length/telescopic and angled it 90-degrees, or straight-back / flush with the hatch lid and short as possible. As I see it, the only aero problem is the mount, and hopefully the air flows with the antenna.

Reception from a flat antenna is reduced, but I get all the stations I need except for a few grey areas.

RH77