Symptom Troubleshooting
Audio System Symptom Troubleshooting - Poor AM or FM radio reception or interference
Poor AM or FM radio reception or interference (with navigation, USA models)
NOTE:
- Check the vehicle battery condition first 12 Volt Battery Test.
- Check for aftermarket accessories including cell phones and chargers plugged into the vehicle accessory power sockets.
- Check the radio reception in an open area. Poor reception/interference can be caused by the following:
- The radio station is far away.
- A tall building, a mountain, or a high-voltage power line is nearby.
- Aftermarket window tint.
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
2. Do the seek stop test.
Is the test vehicle within 10 % of the known-good vehicle?
YES -
Multipath interference or weak station. Operation is normal.
NO -
Go to step 3.
3. Check if the radio reception/interference is the same in several locations.
Is the reception/interference the same?
YES -
Go to step 4.
NO -
Multipath interference or weak station. Operation is normal.
4. Check the reception/interference while the engine is running.
Is there noise (static or whine) only with the engine running?
YES -
Check the antenna and radio grounds. If OK, check the charging system and the ignition system.
NO -
Go to step 5.
5. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
6. Check the AM/FM antenna mast for cracks, or other damage. Make sure that the AM/FM antenna mast isn't loose.
NOTE: Do not use any tools to tighten the AM/FM antenna mast.
Is there any damage?
YES -
Replace the AM/FM antenna mast.
NO -
Go to step 7.
7. Disconnect the AM/FM antenna 3P connector from the AM/FM antenna.
8. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
9. Turn on the audio-navigation unit.
10. Measure the voltage between AM/FM antenna 3P connector terminal No. 3 and body ground.
Is there battery voltage?
YES -
Go to step 15.
NO -
Go to step 11.
11. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
12. Remove the audio-navigation unit Audio-Navigation Unit Removal/Installation, and disconnect the FM distributor 3P connector.
13. Check for continuity between FM distributor 3P connector terminal No. 3 and AM/FM antenna 3P connector terminal No. 3.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Go to step 14.
NO -
Repair an open in the wire between the FM distributor and the AM/FM antenna. Also check the AM/FM antenna lead/sublead connector.
14. Check for continuity between FM distributor 3P connector terminal No. 3 and body ground.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Repair a short to body ground in the wire between the FM distributor and the AM/FM antenna.
NO -
Substitute a known-good FM distributor FM Distributor Removal/Installation, and recheck. If the reception is still poor, replace the audio-navigation unit Audio-Navigation Unit Removal/Installation.
15. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
16. Remove the audio-navigation unit Audio-Navigation Unit Removal/Installation, and disconnect audio-navigation unit connector G (3P).
17. Check for continuity between audio-navigation unit connector G (3P) terminal No. 1 and AM/FM antenna 3P connector terminal No. 1.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Go to step 20.
NO -
Go to step 18.
18. Disconnect the FM distributor 3P connector.
19. Check for continuity between FM distributor 3P connector terminal No. 1 and AM/FM antenna 3P connector terminal No. 1.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Replace the FM distributor FM Distributor Removal/Installation.
NO -
Replace the AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead.
20. Check for continuity between audio-navigation unit connector G (3P) terminal No. 1 and body ground.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Go to step 21.
NO -
Go to step 23.
21. Disconnect the FM distributor 3P connector.
22. Check for continuity between FM distributor 3P connector terminal No. 1 and body ground.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Replace the AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead.
NO -
Replace the FM distributor FM Distributor Removal/Installation.
23. Check for continuity between audio-navigation unit connector G (3P) terminal No. 2 and AM/FM antenna 3P connector terminal No. 2.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Go to step 26.
NO -
Go to step 24.
24. Disconnect the FM distributor 3P connector.
25. Check for continuity between FM distributor 3P connector terminal No. 2 and AM/FM antenna 3P connector terminal No. 2.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Replace the FM distributor FM Distributor Removal/Installation.
NO -
Replace the AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead.
26. Check for continuity between audio-navigation unit connector G (3P) terminal No. 1 and No. 2.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Go to step 27.
NO -
Go to step 29.
27. Disconnect the FM distributor 3P connector.
28. Check for continuity between FM distributor 3P connector terminal No. 1 and No. 2.
Is there continuity?
YES -
Replace the AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead.
NO -
Replace the FM distributor FM Distributor Removal/Installation.
29. Substitute a known-good AM/FM antenna lead and/ or sublead, and check the radio reception.
Is the reception normal?
YES -
Replace the AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead.
NO -
Substitute a known-good AM/FM antenna, and recheck. If the reception is still poor, replace the audio-navigation unit.