Problem with my Radio

Hey guys

Does anyone out there have any suggestion on the problem that I am having with my radio in my 98 Malibu. All of a sudden my AM doesn't work, and for my FM if I drive anywhere out of the city I will loose reception, and all I get is static. I try to unplug the antenna and hold on to the end of the plug and the radio works fine. So I am thinking is the antenna problem. I then tried to use my friend's aftermarket antenna but problem is still there. Do you guys have any suggestion? Maybe because it is the aftermarket antenna that I tested on that's why the radio still have no reception, or if you guys think if it is an internal wiring problem. Or if it is something different all together?
Thanx

LEYLAND

It sounds like your antenna wire is cut and is hitting metal, because you ssaid when you unplug the antenna it sounds better. I would try to check your antenna wire from the radio back to it.

I have the same problem. My AM does not come in at all and I have bad FM reception. I replaced the antenna and it did not help. It would be a pain to check the cable from the radio to the antenna so I guess I will live with it. Does anyone reasonably check the antenna wire for a problem?

Thanks!

I guess we are on the same boat. I am still trying to figure out the problem but no success. If I can find the problem I will let you know. But no luck so far.

I think you all should check the antenna connection at the back of the radio. It's not that hard to take the radio out and check...takes about 15 minutes at the most (just don't unplug any other connection or your radio will lock out).

I also have this problem with my 1998 Malibu. Last June the AM suddenly went out. FM comes in fine. I can still receive one AM station (the strongest signal in town), but very static though. A few days later the CD player started displaying "ERR" and quit working. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome!

The antena wire runs in front of the passenger floor board, in the right front corner on the pass. side, if you pull back the carpet you will see where the antena wire plugs and unplugs to another connector.
I'm sure you will find someone pushed their feet forward and unplugged this wire. When you plug it back in, use a little electrical tape and you won't have this happen again.Good Luck...

Well, that's one problem I DIDN'T ever have in 6 years with my '98. Have never heard of it before, either, to tell you the turth.

If you have checked to make sure all three connections are secure, (radio, antenna, and front passenger floor board [below door trim]), then try taking each connection apart and rubbing them with a standard regular old pencil eraser (both male and female parts of the connection)

Thanx for all you help. I removed the passenger side floor carpet, and discover that the antenna plug is indeed lose. I plug it back in and it is working beautifully now, and it took me only five min. Once again thanx for the help.

I looked under my carpet and I found the cord from the radio but I do not see anything to connect it to from the radio. Is it under the plastic or should it be right under the carpet? I have a 1998 Malibu.

Thanks for your help,
Mark
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In order to see the pluge you will have to remove the plastic floor panel you can see it when you open the passenger door. There are three clips to hold it in place. Two at the back and one at the front. Remove panel and lift up carpet, and you should be able to see the cord.

Thanks for the info. It also took me about 5 minutes to fix. I now have AM in addition to FM. Unfortunately, my cd player is still showing "ERR" when I stick a CD in. Any thoughts?

Thanks for the help as well. This has been bugging me for probably 2 years. I took the radio out to check the connections but they were fine.

for the cd error try a can of compressed air or shop air .. not over 75 psi though you may cause severe damage, if this doesnt work remove radio and run over several times with a large truck, throw in garbage and buy a decent aftermarket cd player..They aren't really worth fixing imho...I used to work on them for a few years...