Alpine radio issue, professional help needed - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

lcrngrs · 10-13-2012, 08:14 PM

I recently had the alpine kit and radio installed and have a problem. My AM signal is terrible. I've noticed a few strange things. When I place my hand on the antenna in the rear window glass the volume increases and the radio signal comes in as before with my stock radio. Another thing I have encountered is when my headlights are on at night, the signal becomes distorted and I get a loud whining sound. It and only clears up when I step on the brake which is also pretty weird. I know AM is not something everyone listens to but the fact is, it worked before and not working now drives me crazy. My co worker who has the same radio and kit did my install but does not have any of these issues. Any ideas?

gutterball · 10-13-2012, 08:24 PM

You have a bad antenna connection, either the wire is loose, or broken but close enough to the connection so that you pick up something.

CWI · 10-13-2012, 08:53 PM

If it were the wire, would the signal get stronger to the radio when he touches the antenna?

Doesn't sound plausable.

Mr. iNCREDIBLE · 10-13-2012, 09:57 PM

people still listen to AM?

FWIW EVERY Alpine I have ever had (8 in total over 12 years in 5 cars) has always had an AM reception problem..

oh look another thread on it:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223309

jeepguy_1980 · 10-13-2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. iNCREDIBLE

people still listen to AM?

FWIW EVERY Alpine I have ever had (8 in total over 12 years in 5 cars) has always had an AM reception problem..

oh look another thread on it:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223309

AM is still good for traffic, sports, talk, and news.

As for reception, people have reported that their amps interfere with reception, and the stock reception isn't that great. So, if it's not a loose connection, it might be the amp, or crosstalk, depending on how you routed tour wires.

lcrngrs · 10-14-2012, 12:51 AM

I've been doing a little research and I have read where the blue "trigger" wire used for among other things, a power antenna should be hooked up regardless of whether its installed or not. Supposedly this helps with the AM reception. Anyone hook this wire up?

lcrngrs · 10-14-2012, 12:53 AM

[QUOTE=Mr. iNCREDIBLE;5691032] people still listen to AM?

Haven't heard that one before.

10-13-2012, 08:14 PM	#1
lcrngrs Drives: 2LT RS Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 584	Alpine radio issue, professional help needed I recently had the alpine kit and radio installed and have a problem. My AM signal is terrible. I've noticed a few strange things. When I place my hand on the antenna in the rear window glass the volume increases and the radio signal comes in as before with my stock radio. Another thing I have encountered is when my headlights are on at night, the signal becomes distorted and I get a loud whining sound. It and only clears up when I step on the brake which is also pretty weird. I know AM is not something everyone listens to but the fact is, it worked before and not working now drives me crazy. My co worker who has the same radio and kit did my install but does not have any of these issues. Any ideas?

10-13-2012, 08:53 PM	#3
CWI Helping Build America Drives: 2010 2SS/RS,LS3 2013 Duramax 3500HD Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Freeport LPG Export Posts: 3,839 View My Garage	If it were the wire, would the signal get stronger to the radio when he touches the antenna? Doesn't sound plausable. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shit, what a ride!"

10-13-2012, 09:57 PM	#4
Mr. iNCREDIBLE Drives: 2012 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: SoCal Baby... Posts: 2,530	people still listen to AM? FWIW EVERY Alpine I have ever had (8 in total over 12 years in 5 cars) has always had an AM reception problem.. oh look another thread on it: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223309 __________________ *I'm only responsible for what I say, not for what you fail to understand.*

10-13-2012, 08:24 PM	#2
gutterball Drives: 2014 1LS M6 Supercharged Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New Britain, Ct Posts: 937 View My Garage	You have a bad antenna connection, either the wire is loose, or broken but close enough to the connection so that you pick up something.

10-14-2012, 12:51 AM	#6
lcrngrs Drives: 2LT RS Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 584	I've been doing a little research and I have read where the blue "trigger" wire used for among other things, a power antenna should be hooked up regardless of whether its installed or not. Supposedly this helps with the AM reception. Anyone hook this wire up?

10-14-2012, 12:53 AM	#7
lcrngrs Drives: 2LT RS Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 584	[QUOTE=Mr. iNCREDIBLE;5691032] people still listen to AM? Haven't heard that one before.