I've noticed that ever since I had my 4-Runner (going on four weeks) that the FM Radio reception is, well.....crappy. I have this one favorite station but it acts as if the signal is weak (fuzzy, fades in and out) but it picks up most of the other local stations fine. I thought it was the station or the radio, but after changing head unit between vehicles (4R radio to wifes car, wife's radio to 4R) it looks like it has something to do with the Runner's hardware. It has the power antenna, is it possible something isn't quite right? I'm sure others have had this experience, please !

Thanks in advance,

Andrew :cry:

 

Get satellite radio. I just picked up a Delphi XM radio this weekend with a car kit for less than 200 clams, and cannot believe how incredible this thing is.

Something to think about. Here is a link to XM Radio:

www.xmradio.com

 

Faded;

While in general I agree with Plamar (I love my XM radio!) there are a couple of things that you can do to better your FM reception.

This is in your '90 4Runner, right? So, I don't think it has the "diversity antenna", which would show itself looking like wires in the passenger side rear window.

It's possible that the power antenna has developed a flakey ground. Yoou may want to pull it all apart and check to be sure that the base is securely mounted to the fender. There's a good write-up of how to get at it here:

http://www.4runners.org/articles/whip/

Also, be sure that the antenna is fully plugged into the head unit on your rig. It can look and feel like it's in all the way, but be sure to give it a good push to be sure.


If you can't seem to get the power antenna to be of any decent use, then ditch it. A lot of us had when it eventually broke (and it will... ). The link above will hep you with that as well.


Good luck!

Mark

 

I'd like to get XM radio, but the budget doesn't permit that right now. :cry:

Mark,

Thanks for the link and the tips. It is in the Runner and it does have the power antenna. I'll follow the link and see if I can't get it figured out. I'm almost sure that the ground would be the cause, it was repainted before I bought it and it was evident that the shop that did the work was in a hurry to put stuff back together (front bumper crooked, etc.) Thanks again, I'll look into it.

Later,
Andrew

 

Ahhhh HAH!

This sounds like a real good possibility Andrew.. Good luck!