Radio Poor Reception

2001 Chevrolet Chevy Express G2500, Van Cargo Extended, 5.7 R, L31/KL8SECTION Radio Poor Reception
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Radio Poor Reception

Step Action Value(s) Yes No
1 Did you perform the Radio/Audio System Diagnostic System Check? - Go to Step 2  Go to Diagnostic System Check - Radio/Audio System 
2
  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Turn ON the radio.
  3. Tune the radio to a known strong AM station, then tune to a known strong FM station.
Is the radio reception clear?
- Go to Audio System Troubleshooting Hints  Go to Step 3 
3 Inspect for a poor connection at the radio antenna lead -in connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
- Go to Step 12  Go to Step 4 
4
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
  3. Remove the radio. Refer to Radio Replacement  for service procedure.
  4. IMPORTANT: Always zero out the DMM before taking a resistance measurement in order to ensure an accurate reading.
  5. Measure the resistance between the negative battery cable and the radio antenna coaxial ground at the radio.
Does the resistance measure greater than the specified value?
0.20 Ω Go to Step 5  Go to Step 6 
5 Inspect the base of the antenna for a proper connection to body ground. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
- Go to Step 12  Go to Step 7 
6
  1. Grasp the antenna mast.
  2. Monitor the DMM and wiggle the antenna mast.
  3. Continue to monitor the DMM and wiggle the radio antenna coaxial cable.
Does the DMM display intermittent continuity?
- Go to Step 8  Go to Step 9 
7 Test for an open or high resistance from the battery negative cable to body ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
- Go to Step 12  Go to Step 10 
8
  1. Inspect the base of the antenna for a proper connection to body ground.
  2. Inspect the antenna coaxial cable interconnects for a poor connection or corrosion. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
- Go to Step 12  Go to Step 10 
9
  1. Remove the antenna coaxial lead -in connector from the radio.
  2. Measure the resistance between the antenna coaxial lead -in connector (center conductor) and the antenna mast. Refer to Circuit Testing in Wiring Systems.
Does the resistance measure greater than the specified values?
RG -58/
RG -59 Coax:
0.2 Ω
RG -62/
RG -62M Coax:
3.5 Ω
Go to Step 10  Go to Step 11 
10 Replace the antenna coaxial cable. Refer to Fixed Antenna Replacement  for service procedure.
Did you complete the replacement?
- Go to Step 12  -
11
  1. Test for continuity between the antenna coaxial cable center conductor and metal case.
  2. Test at the opposite end of the antenna cable also.
Did you measure continuity?
- Go to Step 10  Go to Audio System Troubleshooting Hints 
12 Operate the system in order to verify the repair.
Did you correct the condition?
- System OK Go to Step 2 
RENDER: 1.0x

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Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

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