FM Radio Reception -- AM is Fine

[javajeep]

Hello All --

I have an 97 XJ Country. This morning I turned on the radio and got very poor reception on FM. The weird thing is that AM works fine -- it is crystal clear. My FM reception is so poor than when I use the seek function it scrolls through all the channels and finds nothing.

I searched for the problem and found that many pre-97s have an issue with the antenna wire under passenger side kick plate. However, I don't understand why FM would go out -- completely -- and AM would be crystal clear. Do both FM and AM come in over the same antenna? Moreover, I can not think of an "event" that caused it --- no wheeling, no car wash, no fender bender, nothing. It just did not work this morning.

Any ideas?

I need help on this. My wife is pushing hard for me to trade it for a Commander. But -- I like knocking around in my old paid-off XJ. This will give her more ammunition.

 

[b5blue]

On my 89 the darn coupler under the Pass. side kick panel was spring loaded, if the sleeve cracks from age it pops apart just far enough to kill FM reception. Crutchfield has a replacement at a good price and it's a one piece wire. That may be all it is. (I was replacing the old unit anyway.)

 

[Chuckanut]

Just get SiriusXM satellite radio. That way you get radio pretty much everywhere you go. Even in the mountains. (if theres not too much coverage)

 

[tjmotter]

I know that the 92's have a "DX" button that improves FM distance. Do you have something like this?

Hello All --

I have an 97 XJ Country. This morning I turned on the radio and got very poor reception on FM. The weird thing is that AM works fine -- it is crystal clear. My FM reception is so poor than when I use the seek function it scrolls through all the channels and finds nothing.

I searched for the problem and found that many pre-97s have an issue with the antenna wire under passenger side kick plate. However, I don't understand why FM would go out -- completely -- and AM would be crystal clear. Do both FM and AM come in over the same antenna? Moreover, I can not think of an "event" that caused it --- no wheeling, no car wash, no fender bender, nothing. It just did not work this morning.

Any ideas?

I need help on this. My wife is pushing hard for me to trade it for a Commander. But -- I like knocking around in my old paid-off XJ. This will give her more ammunition.

 

[offroadordnance]

Poor reception or interference? If its RFI I'd check all plug wire boots didnt pop off first.

 

[offroadordnance]

Forgot to mention first step, it does this with the engine off as well?

 

[lucky14]

Check the connections under the foot kick trim and the cable it self. You can retain AM function if you loose a good connection on the coxial cable since AM can be picked up by a coat hanger

My money is a connector is loose or corroded apart on the Coxial line. AM is being recieved still through the open connection. I also have seen in rarer instances the head units going.

I had an 07 XK Commander- loved the look of it.. even with the 3.8 L it only got 13 mpg in the city. the thrid row seat is a joke... but loved it since it was a jeep. I had to get rid of it since only the highway I could only get 16 mpg. I get 22 in a Tahoe with a 5.3L.

The hemi is no better my buddy had a XK hemi and it got the same mileage. Stick with the XJ and buy her a rubi 4 door JK hardtop.

 

[javajeep]

Thanks to everyone -- especially lucky14 with the commander advice. I found the connector below the passenger kickplate. Pulled it apart and pushed it together several times. Still nothing. And to the previous posters -- the engine has no impact on this issue. I am concerned it is disconnected at the antenna inside the body panel, but I don't know how to get at it. I pulled out the head unit and it was connected there. The antenna inside the body panel is all that is left to check.