AM Radio Problems

[FY1Challenger]

Hey folks was hoping to get an idea about why my factory stock AM will not pick up any stations. I have power in (red lead) power to the illumination (orange lead) and I have "trimmed" the antenna according to the FSM. I can hear faint static and it changes as I move up and down the dial but no reception. Antenna is stock original piece.  Any suggestions? 70 Challenger R/T with Ralley Instrument Cluster.

[4Cruizn]

There's stations on AM radio???       Is the antenna firmly plugged in the rear of the radio?? Sounds like an antenna problem! 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

If the antenna is trimmed correctly, then I have to ask, is this radio known to work? If the light is on, I'll eliminate any power or ground problems.

  Mike

[FY1Challenger]

Radio is working and light does come on. I get various very weak static sounds through the speaker. Just no reception. How is the antennae grounded or does it have to grounded to the car body? Thanks!

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Yes, the body of the car would act as a ground. Do you have it on your car?

  Mike

[FY1Challenger]

Mike - its been remounted since the car's repaint. Is there an easy way to check for grounding? Where is contact normally established - I would assume underneath the fender mounting hole?

[71 DEPUTY]

The ant is grounded already via the radio.-- sounds like a short in the ant or the wire for the ant. itself---lol  AM?  funny!!!!!

try another ant if possiable- don't have to trim it to try another one- it should be able to recieve the lower bands to hear some Country stations!!!!!!!

[MEK-Dangerfield]

FY1Challenger,
  I was out of town for a few days Sorry to be so late. I have to go back to my first question and ask "do you definitely know this radio works?" If so, even if the antenna isn't trimmed properly, you should get something Is it mounted in the dash so it is grounded to the dash frame? I know there are jokes, but I do believe there are still a few AM stations out there

  Mike

[FY1Challenger]

Mike, I tried both of my AMs with the same antenna in the car.  Both show "power in" with the multimeter and I can definitely hear weak static that changes slightly as I go up the dial. I believe it is in the antenna but don't have a spare. Is there any way to "rig" something up with coax cable and if so how would you connect it to the radio?

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I'm afraid I'm running out of guesses now If you have 2 radios doing the same thing, that makes the case stronger for it being the antenna. I put a NOS antenna on my car a couple of years ago, and I never did anything to it. It works fine. What did you have to do to trim yours? At this point I'm hoping we at least have the same antenna, then we can go from there. I can unscrew my antenna from the base. Is your's like that?

  Mike

[71 DEPUTY]

try this- take the ant lead out of the radio- then use a 2 1/2" nail and carefully put it in the hole. now-- use a clip lead with about 20 "'s of wire on it and attach it to the nial- careful not to ground it to the frame and put the wire out side of the car.

now try to see if you can recieve anything- if you do- old ant. is bad!!!!


John Mac