2005 Dodge Caravan Radio Problem

[traintech55]

Hey guys, I am putting this one out there for some back up advice. Here is my problem. I have a factory AM/ FM/ CD in my caravan. The CD player is fine, the AM has a range of about 75 miles from downtown. The FM signal starts to fade out after about 20 miles. I am thinking an antenna, but normally when that goes bad, you lose the AM. What do you radio experts think?

 

[70NEWYORKER]

Make sure the radio's chassis has a good ground.
The following is an antenna test procedure from Chrysler.....


TEST 1
Test 1 determines if the antenna mast is insulated
from the base. Proceed as follows:
1. Disconnect the antenna coaxial cable connector
from the radio receiver chassis and isolate.
2. Connect one ohmmeter test lead to the antenna
mast in the center of the antenna base. Connect
the other test lead to the perimeter of the antenna
base. Check for continuity.
3. There should be no continuity. If continuity is found,
replace the faulty or damaged antenna base and
cable assembly.

TEST 2
Test 2 checks the antenna for an open circuit as follows:
1. Disconnect the antenna coaxial cable connector from the radio receiver chassis.
2. Connect one ohmmeter test lead to the antenna mast in the center of the antenna base. Connect the other test
lead to the center pin of the antenna coaxial cable connector.
3. Continuity should exist (the ohmmeter should only register a fraction of an ohm). High or infinite resistance indi-
cates damage to the base and cable assembly. Replace the faulty base and cable, if required.

TEST 3
Test 3 checks the condition of the vehicle body ground connection. This test should be performed with the battery
positive cable removed from the battery. Disconnect both battery cables, the negative cable first. Reconnect the
battery negative cable and perform the test as follows:
1. Connect one ohmmeter test lead to the vehicle fender. Connect the other test lead to the battery negative ter-
minal post.
2. The resistance should be less than one ohm.
3. If the resistance is more than one ohm, check the braided ground strap(s) connected to the engine and the
vehicle body for being loose, corroded, or damaged. Repair the ground strap connections, if required.

TEST 4
Test 4 checks the condition of the ground between the antenna base and the vehicle body as follows:
1. Connect one ohmmeter test lead to the vehicle fender. Connect the other test lead to the outer crimp on the
antenna coaxial cable connector.
2. The resistance should be less then one ohm.
3. If the resistance is more then one ohm, clean and/or tighten the antenna base to fender mounting hardware.

 

[The Horvaths]

From "dad":
Depending upon terrain, the station's power/direction, and its signal quality, 20 miles may actually be reasonable. Try tuning another FM station from the same place in.

I'm curious if you have another radio to test the same station. Maybe on a different car?

 

[traintech55]

From "dad":
Depending upon terrain, the station's power/direction, and its signal quality, 20 miles may actually be reasonable. Try tuning another FM station from the same place in.

I'm curious if you have another radio to test the same station. Maybe on a different car?

I do not have another car to test the radio, but the one in my pickup plays the stations fine. It is also not one station that has a problem, but all on the FM band.

 

[traintech55]

View attachment 149089 Make sure the radio's chassis has a good ground.
The following is an antenna test procedure from Chrysler.....


TEST 1
Test 1 determines if the antenna mast is insulated
from the base. Proceed as follows:
1. Disconnect the antenna coaxial cable connector
from the radio receiver chassis and isolate.
2. Connect one ohmmeter test lead to the antenna
mast in the center of the antenna base. Connect
the other test lead to the perimeter of the antenna
base. Check for continuity.
3. There should be no continuity. If continuity is found,
replace the faulty or damaged antenna base and
cable assembly.

TEST 2
Test 2 checks the antenna for an open circuit as follows:
1. Disconnect the antenna coaxial cable connector from the radio receiver chassis.
2. Connect one ohmmeter test lead to the antenna mast in the center of the antenna base. Connect the other test
lead to the center pin of the antenna coaxial cable connector.
3. Continuity should exist (the ohmmeter should only register a fraction of an ohm). High or infinite resistance indi-
cates damage to the base and cable assembly. Replace the faulty base and cable, if required.

TEST 3
Test 3 checks the condition of the vehicle body ground connection. This test should be performed with the battery
positive cable removed from the battery. Disconnect both battery cables, the negative cable first. Reconnect the
battery negative cable and perform the test as follows:
1. Connect one ohmmeter test lead to the vehicle fender. Connect the other test lead to the battery negative ter-
minal post.
2. The resistance should be less than one ohm.
3. If the resistance is more than one ohm, check the braided ground strap(s) connected to the engine and the
vehicle body for being loose, corroded, or damaged. Repair the ground strap connections, if required.

TEST 4
Test 4 checks the condition of the ground between the antenna base and the vehicle body as follows:
1. Connect one ohmmeter test lead to the vehicle fender. Connect the other test lead to the outer crimp on the
antenna coaxial cable connector.
2. The resistance should be less then one ohm.
3. If the resistance is more then one ohm, clean and/or tighten the antenna base to fender mounting hardware.View attachment 149089

Thanks. I will try this next week.