93 PA radio problems

[aavp96]

93 PA
2 month ago when I hit a bump the FM stations went out. Next bump they came back. The AM stations did not have problems.
About 1 week ago the FM stations never came back.
Before I start taking the dash off, and may break any plastic parts or lose screws in the ductwork, I would like to know if anybody had such problems. (I read the previous threads)
Is this a loose wire or the radio unit itself?
Is there an easy way to get to the back of the radio without removing the dash?
If I need to replace the radio what is the recommended unit?
E-bay has some OEM, but I am interested in a Non-OEM unit also.
AM/FM Cassette player will do. The cassette player not important at all.
Thank you in advance for the info.

[Loekee75]

Originally Posted by aavp96

93 PA
2 month ago when I hit a bump the FM stations went out. Next bump they came back. The AM stations did not have problems.
About 1 week ago the FM stations never came back.
Before I start taking the dash off, and may break any plastic parts or lose screws in the ductwork, I would like to know if anybody had such problems. (I read the previous threads)
Is this a loose wire or the radio unit itself?
Is there an easy way to get to the back of the radio without removing the dash?
If I need to replace the radio what is the recommended unit?
E-bay has some OEM, but I am interested in a Non-OEM unit also.
AM/FM Cassette player will do. The cassette player not important at all.
Thank you in advance for the info.

It sounds like you have a bad antenna connection. I had a similar problem with my factory radio, I took it out and found that the person who owned the car before me had not plugged the antenna cable all the way into the back of the radio after having it removed. If that's not the problem, next check where the antenna cable connects to the long cable leading to the trunk (this should be in the passenger side inside dash) and lastly check the cable where it plugs into the power antenna. If none of these are the case with yours, I'd go with either another OEM (looks a lot better in the PA dash than an aftermarket in my opinion) Or if you want to go aftermarket get a double DIN faced radio so it'll completely fill in the open space in the dash. Good luck!

Lowke

[aavp96]

The connections to the back of the radio were OK.
I could not locate where the antenna cable connects to the long cable leading to the trunk.
It looks like I will need to try a new radio. I will call around to the nearest salvage yards for an exact replacement.

I started with instructions from an earlier post on how to remove the dash from a 92 LeSabre. It was very helpful.
Since I went through the steps I will try to summarize what I learned and how I will do it next time.
=====================================
Radio Removal

Time needed” approx. 20 minutes without any experience.

Tools needed:
Work light.
Power screw driver with 7 mm socket (one regular one deep) and extensions. (Or T15 torx.)
Thin flat blade screwdriver

All screws are the same size and length.
No need to keep track of them.

1.) Wood trims removal
Tool: Use your fingers, no tool needed.
Gently pull off the wood trim on each side of the steering column.
2.) Vents removal
Tool: wide thin screwdriver
Rotate to side as far as possible.
Push the screwdriver in between the top of vent and duct, and push down and out.
Vent should pop out.
Top and bottom are not the same. Remember which side is the top.
3.) Glove box removal
Remove screws; there are 5 screws total, 2 behind door and 3 under.
Pull glove box out halfway. Right side has a “door holder” which needs to be disconnected.
Door holder comes out easily.
Pull out glove box.
4.) Dash removal
Remove screws; there are 6 screws total, 2 on the right 2 on the left of the steering column and 2 under the dash above speedometer.
The hardest ones to remove are the ones above the speedometer.
For these, after loosening the screws I used a 7 mm deep socket and my fingers to take them out.
Pull the steering column to the lowest possible position.
Put the car into the lowest gear. (Emergency brake on.)
Gently pull the dashboard off.
5.) Radio removal
Remove screws; there are 5 screws total, 3 on the “face” of the radio and 2 under the radio.
Need to use the extensions to reach the ones under the radio.
Pull radio out and disconnect the antenna cable and the wiring from the back.

Reverse procedures to reinstall.
Points 1 and 2 can be done in any order.
Points 3, 4 and 5 have to be done in the listed order.