Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Poor AM or FM radio reception or interference ('07-09 models with navigation)
- Check the vehicle battery condition first (see BATTERY TEST ).
- Check the connectors for poor connections or loose terminals.
- Check the radio reception in an open area.
- Compare it to a known-good vehicle of the same model, year, and trim level whenever possible.
- If necessary, have the customer demonstrate the symptom.
- Poor reception/interference can be caused by any of these conditions:
- The radio station is far away. -Atmospheric conditions are unfavorable.
- all buildings, mountains, or high-voltage power lines are nearby.
- Aftermarket window tinting or electronic accessories.
- Non-standard antenna mast.
- Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
- Do the seek stop test (see
SEEK STOP TEST ).
Does the test vehicle receive 90 % of the same stations as the known-good vehicle?
YES -Multipath interference or weak station. Operation is normal at this time.
NO -Go to step 3.
- Check that the radio reception/interference is the same as the known-good vehicle in several locations.
Is the reception/interference the same as a known-good vehicle in several different locations?
YES -Go to step 4.
NO -Multipath interference or weak station. Operation is normal.
- Check the reception/interference while the engine is running, and compare it to the known-good vehicle.
Is there noise (static or whine) only with the engine running?
YES -Check the antenna and radio grounds. If OK, check the charging system, fuel injection system (fuel pump), HVAC (blower motor), and the ignition system.
NO -Go to step 5.
- Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
- Check the AM/FM antenna or AM/FM/XM antenna mast for cracks, or other damage. Make sure that the AM/FM antenna or AM/FM/XM antenna is not loose.NOTE: Do not use any tools to tighten the AM/FM antenna or AM/FM/XM antenna mast.
Is there any damage?
YES -Replace the AM/FM antenna (see AM/FM ANTENNA REPLACEMENT ) or AM/FM/XM antenna (see AUDIO REMOTE SWITCH REPLACEMENT ).
NO -Go to step 7.
- Disconnect the AM/FM antenna 3P connector.
- Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
- Turn on the audio-navigation unit.
- Measure the voltage between the AM/FM antenna 3P connector terminal No. 3 and body ground.
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Is there battery voltage?
YES -Go to step 16.
NO -Go to step 11.
- Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
- Remove the audio-navigation unit (see AUDIO-NAVIGATION UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - ('07-09 MODELS) ).
- Disconnect audio-navigation unit connector G (3P).
- Check for continuity between audio-navigation unit connector G (3P) terminal No. 3 and AM/FM antenna 3P connector terminal No. 3.Fig 2: Checking Continuity Between Audio-Navigation Unit Connector G (3P) Terminal No. 3 And AM/FM Antenna 3P Connector Terminal No. 3
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Is there continuity?
YES -Go to step 15.
NO -There is an open in the wire between the audio-navigation unit and the AM/FM antenna. Also check the AM/FM antenna lead/sublead connector.
- Check for continuity between the AM/FM antenna connector (3P) terminal No. 3 and body ground.
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Is there continuity?
YES -Repair a short in the wire between the audio-navigation unit and the AM/FM antenna.
NO -Substitute a known-good audio-navigation unit (see AUDIO-NAVIGATION UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - ('07-09 MODELS) ), and recheck.
- Remove the audio-navigation unit (see AUDIO-NAVIGATION UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - ('07-09 MODELS) ).
- Check for continuity between audio-navigation unit connector G (3P) terminal No. 1 and AM/FM antenna 3P connector terminal No. 1.Fig 4: Checking Continuity Between Audio-Navigation Unit Connector G (3P) Terminal No. 1 And AM/FM Antenna 3P Connector Terminal No. 1
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Is there continuity?
YES -Go to step 18.
NO -Replace the AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead.
- Check for continuity between audio-navigation unit connector G (3P) terminal No. 1 and body ground.Fig 5: Checking Continuity Between Audio-Navigation Unit Connector G (3P) Terminal No. 1 And Body Ground
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Is there continuity?
YES -Replace the AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead.
NO -Go to step 19.
- Check for continuity between audio-navigation unit connector G (3P) terminal No. 2 and AM/FM antenna 3P connector terminal No. 2.Fig 6: Checking Continuity Between Audio-Navigation Unit Connector G (3P) Terminal No. 2 And AM/FM Antenna 3P Connector Terminal No. 2
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Is there continuity?
YES -Go to step 20.
NO -Replace the AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead.
- Check for continuity between audio-navigation unit connector G (3P) terminals No. 1 and No. 2.
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Is there continuity?
YES -Replace the AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead.
NO -Go to step 21.
- Substitute a known-good AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead, and check the radio reception.
Is the reception normal?
YES -Replace the AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead.
NO -Substitute a known-good AM/FM antenna (see AM/FM ANTENNA REPLACEMENT ) or AM/FM/XM antenna (with XM radio) (see AUDIO REMOTE SWITCH REPLACEMENT ), and recheck. If the reception is still poor, replace the audio-navigation unit (see AUDIO-NAVIGATION UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - ('07-09 MODELS) ).
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.