Bad AM radio reception suddenly???

2001 PT Cruiser - I listen to several low power (5,000 watt) AM talk
radio stations. In the past 2-3 weeks, the signal has been messed up.
Anything from static to fading in and out. I read somewhere that some
GM radios were having this problem due to a defective face plate.
Has Chrysler experienced any problems with their radios?

 

Don't know about a potentially defective radio, but suggest you start by
measuring the vehicle's battery voltage to make sure it is still at full
power. Since the battery is now at least 4 years old (assuming it is
original), it may be the initial sign that it will soon need replacement.
I've seen this before with weak batteries, or a bad alternator that is not
properly charging. Also suggest you make sure the radio connectors,
especially the antenna signal and ground are clean and tight since a poor
connection could give the symptoms you are seeing.

Bob

 

Did you install tint?

 

No.

 

Could be sun spots ?

 

AM is very sensitive to bad grounds and lose connections at the antenna.
First tighten the antenna where it attaches to the vehicle. Second, check
the tightness of the wire connection to the antenna; third, check the
tightness of the plug end into the radio. If that does not help a new
antenna may be needed. In the old day there was an AM trim screw to match
the impedance but I have not seen that in "modern" car radios.

Richard.

 

Did you drive through a tunnel?

Just checking - the IQ of people listening to AM talk radio is known
to be a relatively small number

 

That's not true overall - the proportion of Air America listeners is
pretty small, so the average IQ still remains very high.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
adddress with the letter 'x')

 

You must be an AM radio talk show host.

 

Oh - why yes - certainly you've heard of me.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
adddress with the letter 'x')

 

Also not true. Of course, all I have is a 6 tube Philco radio in my 1940
Royal Coupe!

 

You must be referring to Air America listeners.