Suddenly lost volume on FM channel

[PHGen3]

Turned on the radio in my 2002 SR5 last week and the FM volume was gone. The motorized antenna still operates. The CD player has volume. The AM still has a couple channels that work, but honestly I never listen to AM, so I do not know what is normal operation.

I understand there are two antenna leads for the radio. Some explanations I have read is the small one from the rear window is for AM, but that the other antenna also helps AM. This helps to make things confusing. I also discovered on FM if I turn the volume way up I can barely make out the stations, and there is a slight popping sound when switching between stations.

I have watched videos on radio removal and it seems within my capabilities. I plan to check the antenna lead connection in back, and maybe have a cheap extra antenna I can hand hold to try. I read somewhere that a bad amplifier can cause the low volume and popping sound, but would the CD volume still work?

Thanks for any insight on this.

 

[gamefreakgc]

The antennas are as simple as they get. As long as they are plugged in, they are working. They are just pieces of metal.

I think it's your head unit that is the problem.

 

[phattyduck]

Sounds like you have a problem internal to the radio - not something that will be easily fixed.

The second antenna is for FM reception, not AM reception. It is an "FM Diversity" antenna - basically the FM receiver in the radio takes whichever signal is better at the time and uses that. You can use either or both with an aftermarket stereo (using various adapters) - but it won't have the 'diversity' function that the stock FM receiver did.

-Charlie

 

[PHGen3]

Thanks for the feedback on the radio. I ordered a used unit on eBay at a pretty decent price and switched it out. Yes, the FM tuner had conked out.