ROLRACR

Does anyone know where or how our radio antennas work? My radio will not pic up any stations, and I have no idea where to look.

ShoddyHog

iTrader: (1)

Not absolutely positive, but I believe the antenna is the same wiring that the rear window defroster is in. I could probably hook you up with a schematic out of the book, but lord knows how long it will take me to remember to do it.

O-FiveCC

iTrader: (10)

Same problem here. I'm so sick of all my CD's now with no radio

96WS6guy

iTrader: (1)

Antenna is in the rear window. If you look at the defrost lines, one side runs all the way to the top of the window while the other side does not. The one that goes all the way up is the antenna.

Cyris0014

I've got the same problem with my goat, i only get two radio stations on base.

Robofuzz

Are all of you using the stock headunit? The GTO antenna is powered and if you change out the headunit for an aftermarket unit, you still need to supply the antenna with power somehow.

O-FiveCC

iTrader: (10)

Yes stock headunit here. Been thinking about going satellite radio, not sure if that will help

ShoddyHog

iTrader: (1)

How do you plan to "go to" satellite? Using a FM modulator or swapping out the head unit for a satellite enbabled system. Either way, I'm sure that the satellite part will have a dedicated antenna. Whether that will fix your testicular radio problem or not would be dependendant upon where the problem lies now.

Personally, I wouldn't invest too much in satellite. As soon as Howard leaves, that media will die. Just my $0.02.

Cyris0014

Stock headunit yea

O-FiveCC

iTrader: (10)

Exactly what I am worried about. Going to a satelite enabled headunit, and then still having problems. I guess I'll just have to look. I'm not even sure where to begin. Where are the radio/rear defroster wires? Guess I could start there. Is the antennae ran through the back windshield? I remember reading a TSB about the antennae cracking. I know those lines on my back windshield are cracked all to hell. If that's the case, I don't really know how to go about fixing it.

96WS6guy

iTrader: (1)

I'm using an entirely stock system and have no issues. The signal is sometimes weak on only one channel, but other than that, no issues.

Joeyelbows

First things first were any of ya's doing work with the radio or near it? Sounds like the antenna isnt attached to the headunit. Did you check that first???

O-FiveCC

iTrader: (10)

As I hang my head in shame, I must post this to possibly help you guys out. Take your headunit out. I took mine out, and guess what wasn't attached. The antenna like the previous poster stated. Its not held on there very well, so probably fell off at some point. Anyway, I did read a TSB about bad radio reception and the rear window defogger, but I'm so happy that isn't my issue. Plugged in the antenna and all is fine.

Joeyelbows

Also if you ever take your radio out make sure the antenna is clicked in the radio mount and when you put the radio back in you here the radio click into place. Its ok it happens to the best of us.

Jontall

Radio Poor Reception


Radio Poor Reception Step
Action
Values
Yes
No

Schematic Reference: Radio/Audio System Schematics

1
Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?
Go to Step 2
Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information

2
Verify the fault is present.

Does the system operate normally?
Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems
Go to Step 3

3
Does the rear window have an after-market tint material fitted?
Go to Step 19
Go to Step 4

4
Turn ON the ignition.
Select a known weak AM station.
Is the AM signal received?
Go to Step 5
Go to Step 15

5
Is the AM signal noisier than usual?
Go to Step 11
Go to Step 6

6
Select a known weak FM station.
Check that the rear window demister is OFF.
Is the FM signal received?
Go to Step 10
Go to Step 7

7
Inspect the FM antenna coil for damage.

Is the FM antenna coil damaged?
Go to Step 20
Go to Step 8

8
Ensure that the FM antenna coil connectors are securely connected at each side of the rear window.

Are the FM antenna coil connectors securely connected?
Go to Step 9
Go to Step 21

9
Remove the rear quarter panel trim. Refer to Trim Panel Replacement - Rear Quarter in Interior Trim.
Inspect the antenna amplifier module and cable connecting the FM antenna coil to the module for damage.
Is either the cable or module damaged?
Go to Step 21
Go to Step 22

10
Turn the rear window demister ON.

Did the FM reception weaken or did the background noise increase?
Go to Step 24
System OK

11
Remove the rear quarter panel trim. Refer to Trim Panel Replacement - Rear Quarter in Interior Trim.
The antenna amplifier module ground path is through the mounting bolts. Check that the mounting bolts are correctly installed and at the correct torque specification.
Is the value as specified?
6-8 N·m
Go to Step 12
Go to Step 25

12
Check that the antenna amplifier module connectors are securely connected.

Are the antenna amplifier module connectors securely connected?
Go to Step 13
Go to Step 21

13
Check that the antenna coax cable between the antenna amplifier module and the radio cradle is not damaged and is securely connected.

Is the cable damaged or not securely connected?
Go to Step 26
Go to Step 14

14
Replace the antenna amplifier module. Refer to Radio Antenna Module Replacement .
Check the audio system for correct operation.
Does the audio system operate correctly?
Go to Step 30
Go to Step 27

15
Remove the audio system head unit. Refer to Radio Replacement .
Check that the antenna connector is plugged into the radio cradle properly.
From inside the vehicle, remove the passenger's side hinge pillar trim assembly to gain access to the antenna connector. Refer to Trim Replacement - Hinge Pillar in Interior Trim.
Check that the antenna extension lead is correctly connected to the front antenna lead.
Install the audio system head unit. Refer to Radio Replacement .
Switch the audio system ON.
Has the signal strength improved?
Go to Step 26
Go to Step 16

16
Remove the audio system head unit. Refer to Radio Replacement .
Disconnect the antenna connector from the rear of the radio cradle.
Using a digital ohmmeter, check the resistance between ground and the centre core of the antenna coax cable.
Is the reading as specified?
10 ohms
Go to Step 17
Go to Step 28

17
Remove the rear quarter panel trim. Refer to Section Trim Panel Replacement - Rear Quarter in Interior Trim.
Check that the antenna amplifier module connectors are securely connected to the module.
Are all antenna amplifier module connectors securely connected?
Go to Step 18
Go to Step 21

18
Disconnect the antenna amplifier module +12 volt supply connector from the module.
Turn the radio ON.
Using a DMM, check the antenna module supply voltage at the connector. Refer to Measuring Voltage in Wiring Systems.
Is the voltage as specified?
Battery Voltage
Go to Step 23
Go to Step 29

19
After-market window tint material is not recommended as they can reduce radio reception. Replace the rear window. Refer to Rear Window Replacement in Stationary Windows.

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 30
--

20
Repair the antenna coil using an after-market repair kit.

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 30
--

21
Ensure that the connectors are securely connected.

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 30
--

22
Replace the damaged antenna amplifier module or cable. Refer to Radio Antenna Module Replacement or Antenna Extension Cable Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 30
--

23
Replace the antenna amplifier module. Refer to Radio Antenna Module Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 30
--

24
Many broken segments in the antenna coil. Replace the rear window. Refer to Rear Window Replacement in Stationary Windows.

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 30
--

25
Torque the mounting bolts to the correct specification. If reception does not improve, replace the antenna amplifier module. Refer to Radio Antenna Module Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 30
--

26
Secure cable or replace if damaged.

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 30
--

27
Install the original antenna amplifier module. Refer to Radio Antenna Module Replacement .
Replace the audio system head unit. Refer to Radio Replacement .
Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 30
--

28
Repair or replace defective coax cable. Refer to Antenna Extension Cable Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 30
--

29
Repair the antenna amplifier module battery positive feed circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 30
--

30
Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?
System OK
Go to Step 2



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Document ID# 1552166

ROLRACR

I have XM on mine, and it turned out that when my XM was on it was killing my radio signal. When it's off, the radio works fine.

atx63bravo

My radio reception sucks *** on mine as well, so I just bought an aftermarket H.U. and use my ipod.