Audio System Symptom Troubleshooting - Poor AM or FM radio reception or interference (without premium audio system)
Poor AM or FM radio reception or interference (without premium audio system)
NOTE:
  • Check the vehicle battery condition first.
  • Check the connectors for poor connections or loose terminals.
  • Check the radio reception in an open area. Poor reception/interference can be caused by any of these conditions:
  • The radio station is far away.
  • Atmospheric conditions are unfavorable.
  • Aftermarket window tint.
  • A tall building, mountains, or high-voltage power lines are nearby.
  1. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
  1. Check the reception/interference is the same in several locations.
Is the reception/interference the same?
YES -
Go to Step 3 .
NO -
Multipath interference or weak station. Operation is normal.■
  1. Check the reception/interference while the engine is running.
Is there noise (static or whine) only with the engine running?
YES -
Check the antenna and radio grounds. If OK, check the charging system and the ignition system.■
NO -
Go to Step 4 .
  1. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
  1. Wrap aluminum foil (A) around the tip of a tester probe (B) as shown.
  1. Check for continuity by touching one tester probe to the window antenna terminal (A), and move the other tester probe along the antenna wires (for AM reception) or the defogger wire (for FM reception).
Is there continuity in all sections of the antenna?
YES -
Go to Step 7 .
NO -
Repair the window antenna wire. Go to AM/FM Antenna Repair. ■
  1. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
  1. Measure the voltage between the AM/FM antenna 3P connector terminal No. 3 and body ground.
Is there battery voltage?
YES -
Go to Step 15 .
NO -
Go to Step 10 .
  1. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
  1. Disconnect audio unit connector E (3P).
  1. Check for continuity between the audio unit connector E (3P) terminal No. 3 and the AM/FM antenna 3P connector terminal No. 3.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Go to Step 14 .
NO -
Repair open in the wire between the audio unit and the AM/FM antenna. Also check the AM/FM antenna lead/sublead connector.■
  1. Check for continuity between the audio unit connector E (3P) terminal No. 3 and body ground.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Repair short to body ground in the wire between the audio unit and AM/FM antenna.■
NO -
  1. Disconnect audio unit connector E (3P).
  1. Check for continuity between the audio unit connector E (3P) terminal No. 1 and the AM/FM antenna 3P connector terminal No. 1.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Go to Step 18 .
NO -
Replace the AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead.■
  1. Check for continuity between the audio unit connector E (3P) terminal No. 1 and body ground.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Replace the AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead.■
NO -
Go to Step 19 .
  1. Check for continuity between the audio unit connector E (3P) terminal No. 2 and the AM/FM antenna 3P connector terminal No. 2.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Go to Step 20 .
NO -
Replace the AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead.■
  1. Check for continuity between the audio unit connector E (3P) terminals No. 1 and No. 2.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Replace the AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead.■
NO -
Replace the AM/FM antenna and recheck. If the reception still poor, replace the audio unit. ■