jtrask

Morning all:

My stock radio (87 Wagoneer Limited I6) is fading in and out and I believe it's probably either a bad antenna connection or a bad radio ground. Thought I would check the antenna connection before I took the dash apart.


How do you access the exterior antenna connection on the passenger side?

I took off the interior plastic panel and can access the point where the radio section of the antenna connects to the portion that connects to the exterior section, but that doesn't help.

I also tried removing the antenna nut from the outside, but it just moves 'round and 'round.

You do not have to remove the front quarter panel to access the antenna connection do you?

Thanks,
Jan

jtrask

Some of the descriptions I have read for Cherokees reference a plastic fender liner. It does not appear as if one of those is on mine. Everything looks to be metal. Would the Limiteds be different in this respect?

Is there a trick to unscrewing the antenna base?

BotakBeng

Just tap the notch of the nut (the silver cap) with a flat head screwdriver.
This is the expanded view of the part.

jtrask

My antenna is not a power antenna and the top is flat, painted and notched for a 13/16 11 point wrench.

I tried lightly prying it, but I didn't see any movement. Should I try harder to pry it off?

jtrask

OK, so I found out that the plastic dust cover is accessed from underneath the wheel well.

Now I have several questions.

1) Is it normal for the dust cover to cracked horizontally?
2) Since the antenna is connected well, that means the issue is in the radio wiring behind the dash, correct?
3) The radio fades in and out. Is that a sign that the radio is shot or that the wiring is compromised somewhere?


Thanks!
Jan