Poor AM radio reception on '98 T/A Monsoon
03-28-2008, 09:01 AM
#1
Staging Lane
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Poor AM radio reception on '98 T/A Monsoon I have a 1998 Trans Am I bought used last year and finally noticed the AM radio reception on stations that's very strong in other cars is poor in my car. The system is a Monsoon system. FM reception is good, but not great. The good FM reception and bad AM reception is a bit baffling.
Is this normal for these systems? What causes could there be before I dig in and check things out?
Is this normal for these systems? What causes could there be before I dig in and check things out?
Last edited by defcon(ls)1; 03-28-2008 at 09:07 AM.
03-28-2008, 09:37 AM
#2
I would never have thought that poor AM reception would be a problem. 
The first thing to check is the antenna ground. FM reception works reasonably well without a good ground but AM reception is very sensitive to that. Make sure the ground strap on the antenna motor housing is securely fastened to the body and not corroded.
The first thing to check is the antenna ground. FM reception works reasonably well without a good ground but AM reception is very sensitive to that. Make sure the ground strap on the antenna motor housing is securely fastened to the body and not corroded.
03-29-2008, 11:35 AM
#4
You may also make sure your antenna is extending fully. The paint on the mast tends to gum up (especially in more corrosive climates) and can seize up some of the sections. (I've had to replace two antenna masts because of this.) Unlike FM radio, a short antenna will cause you problems receiving AM:
http://www.geocities.com/richleebruce/amauto.html
http://www.geocities.com/richleebruce/amauto.html
