radio not picking up stations - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

brandonh · 03-03-2003, 10:32 PM

I was wondering what is wrong with my 1990 chevy 1/2 four wheel drive, i have a new kenwood stereo and a sub. but it seems like i can never pic anything up, i have messed with the antenna, by replaceing the part on the fender were the antenna screws into it but it still doesnt pick up good, what should i do. i hooked my old factory one up to one of my buddies truck today and it gets better reception than my new one.

(3.1415)lot · 03-04-2003, 02:24 AM

Did you check the antenna cable where it plugs into the back of the stereo? I'll bet anything that's your problem. I also have a Kenwood in my 88 GMC and the stock cable used to love to shake itself free of the female receptacle on the back of the Kenwood unit (it was slightly too big and just bending the "tangs" on the male cable outward to give a more snug fit only worked for so long before it'd work its way loose again).

I ultimately solved this problem by plugging the cable in and then bending it so it ran 90 degrees to the socket, parallel to the back of the stereo "box". I laid the cable flush against the back of the stereo and used nylon ty-wraps running through the stereo itself (using one of the cooling holes on the top and another on the bottom) and around the cable to keep the cable constantly pressing against the back "wall" of the stereo box. By placing the ty-wraps close to the point where the cable makes the 90 degree turn and plugs into the back of the stereo, it kept the male cable end constantly pressing into the receptacle on the stereo. Hope this makes sense; I can send a picture if it'll make it easier to understand.

brandonh · 03-04-2003, 06:49 PM

well i will try that i have the new cable that adapts the antenna into the different line to go into my kenwood but i wondering if the antenna coming from my radio to the fender has a spot in it, maybe i should replace it? dont know

(3.1415)lot · 03-07-2003, 02:17 AM

If you're using an adapter that's obviously an even better solution (assuming it actually works and doesn't "pop out" or anything). Did you try doing a continuity check of the antenna to make sure there are no breaks in the cable?

(3.1415)lot · 03-07-2003, 02:19 AM

I think in the last post I may have been a bit unclear, I mean have you done a continuity test of the CABLE from the back of the stereo to the antenna (duh). Obviously if the antenna was broken you'd know that. :p

Stingray42 · 03-14-2003, 01:29 PM

Did you buy an adaptor for the antenna to the new stereo? I just bought and installed a stereo in my 93 GMC and I had to buy an adaptor. I bought at best buy, they r pretty knowledgable.

Hope this helps

kendog · 03-16-2003, 12:55 PM

I bought the same adapter also at Best Buy for about 7 bucks, you do need it.

Stingray42 · 03-16-2003, 07:49 PM

Thats the one!

03-03-2003, 10:32 PM	#1
brandonh Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: missouri, USA Posts: 271	radio not picking up stations I was wondering what is wrong with my 1990 chevy 1/2 four wheel drive, i have a new kenwood stereo and a sub. but it seems like i can never pic anything up, i have messed with the antenna, by replaceing the part on the fender were the antenna screws into it but it still doesnt pick up good, what should i do. i hooked my old factory one up to one of my buddies truck today and it gets better reception than my new one. __________________ Brandon 67 chevy CST 68 chevy stepside US ARMY truck 69 chevy longbed green and white Custom10 05 Honda Rancher AT with 26 inch ITP 589's 2008 Chevy crewcab vortec max 4X4 pickup 1969 Chevrolet layin frame Project Fools Gold http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=257593

03-04-2003, 02:24 AM	#2
(3.1415)lot At Last. . . Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 179	Did you check the antenna cable where it plugs into the back of the stereo? I'll bet anything that's your problem. I also have a Kenwood in my 88 GMC and the stock cable used to love to shake itself free of the female receptacle on the back of the Kenwood unit (it was slightly too big and just bending the "tangs" on the male cable outward to give a more snug fit only worked for so long before it'd work its way loose again). I ultimately solved this problem by plugging the cable in and then bending it so it ran 90 degrees to the socket, parallel to the back of the stereo "box". I laid the cable flush against the back of the stereo and used nylon ty-wraps running through the stereo itself (using one of the cooling holes on the top and another on the bottom) and around the cable to keep the cable constantly pressing against the back "wall" of the stereo box. By placing the ty-wraps close to the point where the cable makes the 90 degree turn and plugs into the back of the stereo, it kept the male cable end constantly pressing into the receptacle on the stereo. Hope this makes sense; I can send a picture if it'll make it easier to understand. __________________ ----------------------------------------------- 1988 GMC Sierra "K" 2500 4x4 5.7L TBI Daily Driver / Project / Obsession / Money Pit ------------------------------------------------ Current Tasks: Front-End Rebuild Brakes & Rotors A/C System (Clardy) ------------------------------------------------ It never ends. . .

03-04-2003, 06:49 PM	#3
brandonh Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: missouri, USA Posts: 271	well i will try that i have the new cable that adapts the antenna into the different line to go into my kenwood but i wondering if the antenna coming from my radio to the fender has a spot in it, maybe i should replace it? dont know __________________ Brandon 67 chevy CST 68 chevy stepside US ARMY truck 69 chevy longbed green and white Custom10 05 Honda Rancher AT with 26 inch ITP 589's 2008 Chevy crewcab vortec max 4X4 pickup 1969 Chevrolet layin frame Project Fools Gold http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=257593

03-07-2003, 02:17 AM	#4
(3.1415)lot At Last. . . Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 179	If you're using an adapter that's obviously an even better solution (assuming it actually works and doesn't "pop out" or anything). Did you try doing a continuity check of the antenna to make sure there are no breaks in the cable? __________________ ----------------------------------------------- 1988 GMC Sierra "K" 2500 4x4 5.7L TBI Daily Driver / Project / Obsession / Money Pit ------------------------------------------------ Current Tasks: Front-End Rebuild Brakes & Rotors A/C System (Clardy) ------------------------------------------------ It never ends. . .

03-07-2003, 02:19 AM	#5
(3.1415)lot At Last. . . Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 179	I think in the last post I may have been a bit unclear, I mean have you done a continuity test of the CABLE from the back of the stereo to the antenna (duh). Obviously if the antenna was broken you'd know that. :p __________________ ----------------------------------------------- 1988 GMC Sierra "K" 2500 4x4 5.7L TBI Daily Driver / Project / Obsession / Money Pit ------------------------------------------------ Current Tasks: Front-End Rebuild Brakes & Rotors A/C System (Clardy) ------------------------------------------------ It never ends. . .

03-14-2003, 01:29 PM	#6
Stingray42 Woot. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Stouffville, Ontario Posts: 2,291	Did you buy an adaptor for the antenna to the new stereo? I just bought and installed a stereo in my 93 GMC and I had to buy an adaptor. I bought at best buy, they r pretty knowledgable. Hope this helps __________________ Clarkson 96 Chevy RCLB 4.3 2WD

03-16-2003, 12:55 PM	#7
kendog Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Livonia, Michigan Posts: 62	I bought the same adapter also at Best Buy for about 7 bucks, you do need it. __________________ If your not the lead dog, the view never changes.

03-16-2003, 07:49 PM	#8
Stingray42 Woot. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Stouffville, Ontario Posts: 2,291	Thats the one! __________________ Clarkson 96 Chevy RCLB 4.3 2WD



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