FM Radio Reception -- AM is Fine
#1
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Model: Cherokee
FM Radio Reception -- AM is Fine
I have a 97 XJ Country with a stock radio. This morning -- the FM reception stopped working. It is so bad, that the search function will scroll through all of the channels without stopping.
I searched and found some info on an antenna problem in 96 models behind the passenger kickplate. I will look at that this afternoon when I get home. The problem with that theory however is that AM works fine. It is crystal clear. I could not find any previous threads with this problem.
Also, I can not think of any unusual events. I have not been wheeling, no car was, no unusual causes.
Could it be a bad head unit? Do the AM and FM bands use the same antenna on the passenger side or does FM use another antenna (in the window?).
Any help?
I searched and found some info on an antenna problem in 96 models behind the passenger kickplate. I will look at that this afternoon when I get home. The problem with that theory however is that AM works fine. It is crystal clear. I could not find any previous threads with this problem.
Also, I can not think of any unusual events. I have not been wheeling, no car was, no unusual causes.
Could it be a bad head unit? Do the AM and FM bands use the same antenna on the passenger side or does FM use another antenna (in the window?).
Any help?
#2
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Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 1987 4.0L (242 CID) I6 RENIX FI 242 173 hp (129 kW) @ 4600 rpm, 224 lb•ft (304 N-m) @ 4000RPM
i actually had a similar problem with mine when i first bought it
i could get am but no fm - i also had the stock radio
my theory on why you are not getting fm is:
the antenna has come loose
to check - go on you passenger side and look for a long metal piece like in the picture
its only held there by pressure and a spring
mine had came loose somehow and all i had to do was push it back in and it was able to get clear am reception and better fm
i had other issues too so i ended up needed to replace my radio and then bypass the factory amplifier
once i did that i noticed i was still static-y looked down and realized i had knocked my antenna loose again, pushed it back in nice and tight and havent had a problem since.
i believe the reason why you get am and not fm is because am signal is stronger than fm which is why you can hear a am station from states away but fm only within a few cities
but dont quote me on that lol
other than the antenna coming loose - my only other guess would be - if your xj came with a factory amp (would have to check behind the dash and your copy of a repair manual) that it might have gone bad or your stock head unit is no longer working properly
again, once i hooked my radio up to the orginal connectors nothing worked cause of the stock amp that was built into mine
i bypassed it and it started working - so for grins i hooked up the orginal and it worked too, better than before, but poorly so i swaped out for my unit i have now. nice to have a cd player...
i can tell you that both am and fm is received on the same antenna
i could get am but no fm - i also had the stock radio
my theory on why you are not getting fm is:
the antenna has come loose
to check - go on you passenger side and look for a long metal piece like in the picture
its only held there by pressure and a spring
mine had came loose somehow and all i had to do was push it back in and it was able to get clear am reception and better fm
i had other issues too so i ended up needed to replace my radio and then bypass the factory amplifier
once i did that i noticed i was still static-y looked down and realized i had knocked my antenna loose again, pushed it back in nice and tight and havent had a problem since.
i believe the reason why you get am and not fm is because am signal is stronger than fm which is why you can hear a am station from states away but fm only within a few cities
but dont quote me on that lol
other than the antenna coming loose - my only other guess would be - if your xj came with a factory amp (would have to check behind the dash and your copy of a repair manual) that it might have gone bad or your stock head unit is no longer working properly
again, once i hooked my radio up to the orginal connectors nothing worked cause of the stock amp that was built into mine
i bypassed it and it started working - so for grins i hooked up the orginal and it worked too, better than before, but poorly so i swaped out for my unit i have now. nice to have a cd player...
i can tell you that both am and fm is received on the same antenna
Last edited by DocOrng XJ; 10-21-2011 at 02:25 PM.
#3
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You nailed it Doc, that's the same problem I had with my radio. My piece had become separated and the spring forced the cable out. I tossed the spring, plugged the cable back together, and zip-tied it tight. It's worked fine for months now.
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Thanks, Doc.
Sorry for the long delay, but I tried this over the weekend and was only able to get internet access now. I found exactly what you posted in the pic. I disconnected and reconnected several times. It does not help. I took out the head unit and the antenna seemed connected there. The only thing I have not checked is the connection to the antenna inside the body panel. Don't know how to do that.
Still -- I am wondering how it could be the antenna when the AM is working great?
Still -- I am wondering how it could be the antenna when the AM is working great?
#6
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Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 1987 4.0L (242 CID) I6 RENIX FI 242 173 hp (129 kW) @ 4600 rpm, 224 lb•ft (304 N-m) @ 4000RPM
well, this isnt an exact science for me.
Just thoughtful insight..
as stated before - The only other 2 things I could think of, is a bad head unit or a bad stock amplifier.
if your xj came with a factory amp (would have to check behind the dash and your copy of a repair manual) that it might have gone bad or your stock head unit is no longer working properly
again, once i hooked my radio up to the orginal connectors nothing worked cause of the stock amp that was built into mine
i bypassed it and it started working - so for grins i hooked up the orginal and it worked too, better than before, but poorly so i swaped out for my unit i have now. nice to have a cd player...
sorry I couldnt be of more service
Just thoughtful insight..
as stated before - The only other 2 things I could think of, is a bad head unit or a bad stock amplifier.
if your xj came with a factory amp (would have to check behind the dash and your copy of a repair manual) that it might have gone bad or your stock head unit is no longer working properly
again, once i hooked my radio up to the orginal connectors nothing worked cause of the stock amp that was built into mine
i bypassed it and it started working - so for grins i hooked up the orginal and it worked too, better than before, but poorly so i swaped out for my unit i have now. nice to have a cd player...
sorry I couldnt be of more service
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