Still Terrible Reception...

[RegencyRoyale]

Some might remember that I was having an issue with FM reception a while back. The problem lives on. I've installed a brand new power antenna, tried using new cables from the stereo to the antenna, checked all connections and finally purchased another factory Radio/CD unit. In total I've spent about $150 to track this problem. The new stereo was the last thing I bought, leaving it until the very end to hopefully save money. Failed plan...

I've noticed that in my other cars I can get perfect FM reception but take the same route in the Eighty Eight and it's all static aside from one (and only one) classical station. Also a few times while parked in the driveway I've turned the key back just to try the radio and the reception seems much better that way, works on all my programmed stations. With the car started the the quality drops out to mostly static. There isn't anything wired up to the car, no aftermarket stuff to kill the signal so I'm at a loss for what to try next...

If anyone has any advice/suggestions...

Thanks

[Bob Dillon]

When last you changed plugs, did you reinstall the aluminum socket-like projections over the ends?

Those are to block ignition interference.

[RegencyRoyale]

Humm...The plugs were changed last fall just after I got the car in a non-functioning state so I don't know how the radio was before that. It for sure hasn't worked since I've had it. I didn't change the plugs myself, it was done at a garage.

[RegencyRoyale]

Anyone able to elaborate on the "alumium socket-like" things that Bob Dillon mentioned?

[harofreak00]

You can see the spark plug boot covers in this pic, that is what he is talking about:

[RegencyRoyale]

Thanks! I'm missing 3 of them.

[Alibi]

I have several of them laying around off a vin C motor (I assume they're the same fitment wise)... PM me and you can have 3 for the price of shipping

Unless its easier for you to just grab some from a junkyard, whichever way is easier. Whatever shop replaced them either didn't have them to put back on in the first place or were too lazy to swap them over to the new wires. Honestly, I never knew they were to kill radio interference... I always assumed they were heatshields of some sort.

[wjcollier07]

Thanks! I'm missing 3 of them.

You're missing 3 on the front or the back? The back is what got them, the back is what needs them. The front three can't hurt to be on, but were left off from the factory so are obviously unnecessary in some way shape or form.

[RegencyRoyale]

Yeah, the back has them, the front doesn't...I thought this might be the trouble but if it's not on there from the factory then I don't see how it can be. What a kick in the teeth...again!

Anyother reception suggestions out there?

Oh, thanks Alibi for the offer, but looks like I don't need them anyway...

[Alibi]

Sure thing... too bad that wasn't the solution as this is such a weird problem. If you get good signal when you have the car in accessories but not when the motor is running then its definitely interference from something else so its just a matter of narrowing it down to figure out what it is.

[RegencyRoyale]

I'm sorta at a loss with this now, don't really have any idea what to check next...

[HurstGN]

Check the spark plug wires for RFI supression type. I had a set I tried once on my GN that were supposed to be some super duper wires for a much better spark. I forget what they were, but I installed them and the car started and then died. And it wouldn't re-fire at all. I checked everything and found nothing wrong. I went back to stock and the car fired up. After some more troubleshooting, I found the wires had so much RFI, they shut down the ECM on the car!

RFI suppression wires can make a huge difference.

[RegencyRoyale]

Problem persists, all suggestions/thoughts welcome...

[tripscarcare95]

How about cleaning the antenna with a cleaner, then re oil? Is the antenna still intact?

[BlackHawk99]

Have you thought about hooking up a non-power antenna just for testing purposes? Maybe the new antenna you got is defective.

[RegencyRoyale]

I don't know, it was the same with the old antenna before I installed the new one. My old one was all bent and was stuck half way up. I manged to get it extended all the way up with force. Still the reception was bad. I just figured the bends in the mast was making it that way and a new antenna was the fix. But, it was EXACTLY the same with the new one too.

I don't think it can be the antenna cause with the engine off and key pushed back the reception is perfect. It's when the engine is on that the static takes over. I'm not an expert on anything but I thought it was more like something that runs with the engine was messing with the signal but until now I'm still not able to pin point whatever that might be...