My cherokee has horrible to zero radio reception, I have heard that a connector under the passenger kick panel can break, causing this, but I was wondering if anyone had a picture of it?

 

Sorry….don’t have a pic, but can say that it is 99% certain this is your issue. Just remove that panel and find the antenna cable in there. Its is easily visible and can be quickly reconnected (and taped, which is what I did).

 

Is it the panel directly to the right of your feet or above you feet?

 

Yes....directly to the right. To easily remove it, you need to remove the 1 screw holding it in, as well as the first 2 screws on the trim in front of it.

Then just pull and slide out.

 

Found the wire, and it was the problem so I put a clamp on it and held it as tightly together as I could and put electrical tape around it. I get radio reception now which is awesome, but occasionally there is still slight buzzing, did it connect the wire together too tightly?

 

I did the same fix and have not had any issues.

Maybe double check that it is making the proper contact.

 

Well I figured out why its buzzing and it is not the connection, it only has static when the engine is running so there is something causing slight interference. I am wondering if anyone else has had that problem, and maybe anyone know what could be causing it?

 

me to man. I got that buzz. Anyone got any ideas?

 

AM or FM?

If AM, you more than likely have a bad ground somewhere in the electrical system.

FM: That is an intense problem. Chances are it is outside the radio and injecting into the speaker wires/speakers directly.

 

Okay so my connection on my radio wires is fine and my ground is fine but I stil get horrible reception. Everything is perfect BUT the radio reception. Some are clear some suck.... Or they work on one part of town but not the other. Any ideas.

 

I had the same problem with my Xj as well. I found out that splicing the wire was better than trying to tape the connector back together. And replacing the antenna helps too, if that doesnt help check the back of the stereo and see if the cord is all the way plugged in sometimes mine falls out. And if all else fails order a whole new cord and then that will work no problem

 

Actually good point about the antenna. Over looked that. I guess it does not help that I use it as a marshmellow roaster...

 

 

Well the thing is it gets perfect repection with the engine off key on, no intereference at all on any radio station, but when the engine is running there is a slight buzz.

 

I have the same problem. I even tried an inline filter. How do you replace the antenna in a '96 XJ?