AM Radio reception problem

[ldg]

This is almost a classic. Took my PU into the dealer for an air conditioning issue and in the process they removed the dash (at least some of it) to replace two of the Blend Doors. Well needless to say, though everything seemed to be going and working just fine (at leased the air conditioning) after going down the road about 25 miles I turn on my radio to discover I have no AM stations, FM stations appear to be just fine but the only thing I get on the AM band is a "little" static at times as it would if an antenna was not hooked up.



Well I called the dealer back and was told that if the FM reception is okay then the AM reception also has to be working unless the AM Tuner went out on the radio. I ask if possibly a connection that would effect the reception of the AM band could be loose or not connected correctly when the dash was put back together. Of course not, what is wrong with me. But it sure sounds, when I am on the AM band, that the antenna is not connected.



Any ideas out there or is it possible the AM just took a dump? Well I find almost anything is possible (according to dealers) but especially at the point your PU gets out of your site.



Yes it was working fine when I took it in. I listen to AM most of the time and was doing so when I shut her down at the dealers.



Any suggestions? THX.

 

[DBentley]

Not to defend a hack service dept. But there is so much stuff to take apart to service the heater/ac box that its a wonder anything works afterwards.

Mabey a ground strap was left off or the antenna isnt plugged fully?

 

[ldg]

I just went back out and turned on the radio again and there is slight static like way in the back ground continuous and also I can hear way off in the distance radio stations trying to come through. I did not notice the back ground voices yesterday but then I had the rig running, duuuu. This even makes me feel more like this is a antenna hook up problem not a radio one

 

[Pawpaw]

Its easy enough to check to see if the antenna is connected. The only tool you need is a #2 Philips screwdriver.



Take out the screw in the trash bag hook & open the glove box.



Grab the trash bag hook and the right end of the same panel (that's why you opened the glove box.



Give a sharp pull straight back. That end of the panel will "pop" loose and you can work your way to the left, popping it loose as you go.



There is enough slack in the wires (cig. lighter, heat/AC controls, & airbag switch) that you can just let the top of the panel lean toward you to access the radio.



Take out the 4 screws that hold the radio in and pull it straight out.



It goes back just as easy.



Bob

 

[LesStallings]

Like Bob said, checking the antenna connection is easy. I pulled out my radio to put an in-line FM connector for my satellite radio so I would not have to deal with FM interference.



By the way, I feel your pain on the AC blend doors. I pick up my truck tomorrow after blend door replacement. I just hope all my gauges and stuff still works... My expectations are low.

 

[Jaysyl]

I installed an FM in line thing for my satellite radio and lost my AM channels. I put every thing back together before I checked the AM stations. The FM works and the Sirius worked so I thought I was good to go. If the antenna is not hooked up why would Fm work?





My AM radio sounds like the first posters radio. I have not taken the time to pull the radio out again. My radio is the RBQ 6 disc.

 

[Bob4x4]

Remove the right kick panel you will see where they did not reconnect the ant cable. The FM needs very little in the way of ant. the portion of cable from the radio to the splice is enough,not true with AM.



Bob

 

[ldg]

Pawpaw, used your advice and checked the antenna connection on the radio and found it is connected. I was surprised how easy it was to remove the radio, like you said. When I had the radio removed from its holder/frame work area I moved, wiggled and shook every where I could touch the antenna lead in line, in the radio area that is, with the radio turned on and no change at all with the reception on eather AM or FM.



So now, thanks to Bob4X4's post, I'm gong to follow his advice and remove the right kick panel. That is after I find out how to do that without damaging it. We will report back here with our findings and thanks a lot for the replies. later.

 

[Bob4x4]

Pull up the sill plate and then pull towards the rear.



Bob

 

[ldg]

Removed the kick panel (thx Bob4X4) and found the antenna connection. It was still wrapped in the factory foam material. Disconnected it and no reception at all with the AM (didn't try the FM) it was dead. Reconnected the antenna cable and taped it back, making sure of the connection and the local AM station came back on being able to be heard, somewhat (to what I have been experiencing).



So I figure the connection from here to the antenna itself must be okay. Now, is there another connection from this area from the kick panel to the radio itself or does the antenna cable go directly from here to the radio? It appears I have only the one antenna connection which is plugged directy into the top left of the radio, with a sharp 90 degree bend at its junction into that connection point. I disconnected the antenna connection on the back of the radio and got the same results I did when I disconnected it at the kick panel junction and reconnected it.



If there is not another connection on the antenna cable I'm at a loss here. Unless its possible the antenna cable has been damage at some point between the antenna and the radio, which I actually doubt.



I was going to remove the glove box and check the antenna cable as it goes through that area but though I read the glove box was easy to remove with only downward pressure from the top of the box tabs, it was getting to the point I was about to damage it I believe and was not able to remove it. The one I read about was a 2004 and mine is a 2003 so figured there might be some differences in its removal.



Any other suggestions out there? Thx.

 

[Pawpaw]

I'm completely out of ideas, but it sounds like you're on the right track.



It might help to download a service manual from here:



"The Premiere website for Hemi Ram and Hemi SUVs. "



Scroll down the left frame and you will find it.



Bob

 

[ldg]

Hold it, we got it. I went back and started going over everything again from scratch and when I got back to the antenna connection on the rear of the radio and gave it a little extra shove and twist it did go on farther, not all that far but noticable and my AM stations came back where they had been. I want to thank you ALL for the suggestions and help, especially you Pawpaw and Bob4X4. THX. again. Oo.