Radio very static

All of a sudden I only get a few radio stations ( I live in a city). When I drive out of the city I get no channels. What is wrong with my radio?? Bad antena, connection, etc..??

It could be a bad antenna or the radio coax or it could even the radio itself. I think that it is highly unlikely that the coax is bad, but anything is always possible.

It could be a bad antenna or the radio coax or it could even the radio itself. I think that it is highly unlikely that the coax is bad, but anything is always possible.

Maybe I will try a new antena, how much do they run??

Any other idea's on trouble shooting. Going to go to walmart and buy a new antenna and plug it in, starting there.

It would help to include the year, make, model (most likely it's a Pontiac Grand Prix if posted on this forum, but...) and trim level of your car.

It would help to include the year, make, model (most likely it's a Pontiac Grand Prix if posted on this forum, but...) and trim level of your car.


97 Grandprix GT 116k.. Also some of my friends say antenna's don't go bad, is this true??

the antenna on your car is actually the rear defroster grid. There is a module mounted in the rear near the C-pillar (the metal between the rear side door and rear glass) where the headliner attaches that isolates the radio from the rear defog power. If reception is worse when the rear defogger is turned on, this is definitely the problem. GM part number for the module is 16213462.

Rich, weren't some early 97 GP's delivered with a rear antenna instead of a grid on the rear windshield? Or am I thinking of a different car?

My 97 GP SE had the antenna on the passenger side rear fender.

My 97 GP SE had the antenna on the passenger side rear fender.


No it doesn't get worse when I turn on the rear defroster. Yeah my antenna is on the back passenger side.