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AM Radio does not work?

Tiny
JUJU201731
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 KIA SOUL
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
Stock radio without navigation. I bought it used; AM never worked, FM, CD, Bluetooth they all work great. I am not getting any AM radio stations; I am within AM range. Already checked the cables behind radio, they are all connected. Is this likely head unit, cable, or antenna issue? Which one should I go to first?
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Monday, September 25th, 2023 AT 11:51 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Let's check the antenna first and if that is okay the radio is no good, I have seen the antenna go bad and cause this issue. Here is how to test and change out the antenna. Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.
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Tuesday, September 26th, 2023 AT 12:45 PM
Tiny
JUJU201731
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Here's what happened:

i bought a used head unit from eBay and tested it and no difference.
I also bought a used antenna and there was also no difference.
However, I was able to obtain Kia Sorento antenna and its able to pick up many AM stations although sound quality is not good.
Any ideas? Maybe Ebay sold defect? Or cable problem? Something else?
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Monday, December 11th, 2023 AT 10:48 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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I would test the alternator to make sure it is not throwing AC voltage. This guide can help, also check the ground to chassis and the ground to the engine:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Switch the voltmeter to AC and it should show "0" also raise the engine RPM slightly while testing. Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 AT 11:31 AM
Tiny
JUJU201731
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Alternator appears to be fine. Besides, radio always has a problem whether the engine is running or not.
I suspect cable is the problem. Could you give me a diagram for radio cables?
Do you have any other suspects you can think of?
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Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 AT 4:51 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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It does sound like grounding issue, here is the radio wiring and a guide to help you test the connections.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Also, how did the antenna testing go? Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.

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Thursday, December 21st, 2023 AT 10:03 AM
Tiny
JUJU201731
  • MEMBER
  • 27 POSTS
Antenna appears to be fine.
By the way, could you also give me the location of the radio and antenna cables?
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Sunday, December 24th, 2023 AT 4:09 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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The diagrams in the images above are the only images they give us for the antenna. If you have any questions about the service, please upload images so I can see what's going on.
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Tuesday, December 26th, 2023 AT 10:07 AM
Tiny
JUJU201731
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Can you tell me where you get all these images? Is there a book available?
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Saturday, January 20th, 2024 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, they are from AllData or Mitchell 1 both have online subscriptions.
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Sunday, January 21st, 2024 AT 9:44 AM

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