Expert: Cleggsan - 7/13/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello - I did a Google search and couldn't find anything on this subject...I have a 2005 Toyota Avalon XLS with a factory radio (tape deck, 6 cd disc changer# and up until recently have been getting great reception on different radio stations. Now, the stations come in with a lot of static to the point where I just shut it off. I've tried to tune in everywhere (work, home, even down the street from one of the stations!) and still static. I've even brought one of my portable house radios outside to my drive way to see if it would play clearly next to the car and it would but the car would still have static. Any suggestions on what may have happened and what I can do to fix?

ANSWER: It can be either a defective tuner OR a bad antenna connection between the cars antenna and the input to the radio unit.

You did not say if it is troublesome in AM or FM or both.  If both it is for sure an antenna connection problem.  If it is either AM but not FM or FM but not AM it may be antenna but is more likely a bad tuner circuit  -  implying the radio unit requires repairs..

First thing to do is check the cable going between the radio and the antenna. If convenient just unplug the cable and plug it back in again; sometimes the connection gets corroded.

Also, this car has automatic electric antenna; check to make sure it is going up when the radio is selected; if not, check the fuse to see if the lift motor maybe is not getting power....

Best wishes.

PS: Great car - I used to own one!



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for this answer! I figured it was the antenna because it happens on both AM and FM. You suggested unplugging the cable between the radio and antenna...where is that? I read my owner's manual and it said that my antenna was made into the rear window. So I don't know where the cable may be and to my knowledge, there is no place on the car where the antenna lifts, it's all in the glass...but you are the expert! Don't want to take up too much of your time but if you could answer those questions, I'd be ever so grateful. Again, thank you and best wishes to you as well!

Answer
The XLS that I had used both rod antenna and window loop as diversity design.....

In any event, check the wiring and the connection to the window.  The connector to the window wiring can be found easily and try just wiggling that connection to see if it effects the reception.  Window antenna are know for breakage of the wiring to the window connection as well as breakage inside the glass itself (in which case the whole window must be replaced and the antenna wiring reconnected).

You may need to run it past a install/repair shop and have them look at it.