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Pinpoint Test B: Poor Reception

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer and 2004 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. B1 CHECK ANTENNA GROUND 
    • Measure the resistance between the antenna base and the battery ground cable.
    • Is the resistance less than 5 ohms? 

    Yes 

    GO to  B3.

    No 

    GO to B2.

  2. B2 CHECK ANTENNA CABLE CONNECTIONS 
    • Key in OFF position.
    • Verify the antenna is connected to the audio unit.
    • Check the antenna connections, including the extension cable.
    • Check to make sure the antenna is securely mounted to the vehicle body at ground points.
    • Are the connections clean, secure and in metal-to-metal contact? 

    Yes 

    GO to B3.

    No 

    CLEAN and SECURE the antenna connections as needed. TEST the system for normal operation.

  3. B3 CHECK SUPPRESSION EQUIPMENT/MOUNTING AND CONNECTING CIRCUITS 
    • Check all necessary suppression equipment and the radio frequency interference suppression bond.
    • Check the radio receiver hood bonding strap for integrity, cleanliness and metal-to-metal contact.
      • NOTE: The capacitor mounting points are used to complete the electrical circuit and must be mounted securely to clean surfaces.
    • Check the mounting and connecting circuits of the radio ignition interference capacitor for integrity, cleanliness and metal-to-metal contact.
    • Are the connections clean, secure and in metal-to-metal contact? 

    Yes 

    GO to B4.

    No 

    CLEAN, SECURE and INSTALL new suppression equipment as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.

  4. B4 CHECK RADIO IGNITION INTERFERENCE CAPACITOR 
    • Key in OFF position.
    • Check the operation of the radio ignition interference capacitor by installing a known good component.
    • Key in START position.
    • Turn the audio unit on and check the radio reception.
    • Is the noise eliminated? 

    Yes 

    INSTALL a new radio ignition interference capacitor. TEST the system for normal operation.

    No 

    GO to B5.

  5. B5 CHECK GENERATOR 
    • Key in OFF position.
    • Check the generator by disconnecting the wiring harness from the voltage regulator.
    • Key in START position.
    • Turn the audio unit on and check the radio reception.
    • Is the noise eliminated? 

    Yes 

    INSTALL a new generator. REFER to BATTERY & CHARGING SYSTEM . TEST the system for normal operation.

    No 

    GO to B6.

  6. B6 CHECK IGNITION CIRCUITS 
    • Key in OFF position.
    • Check the ignition circuits for correct routing, grounding and integrity of connections.
    • Check the spark plugs and the spark plug wires.
    • Are the ignition components OK? 

    Yes 

    GO to B7.

    No 

    REPAIR the ignition system as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.

  7. B7 SUBSTITUTE ANTENNA 
    • Substitute a known good antenna. Ground the antenna base to an unpainted metal surface on the vehicle.
    • Key in START position.
    • Verify the operation of the audio unit.
    • Is the noise eliminated? 

    Yes 

    INSTALL a new antenna. REFER to ANTENNA . TEST the system for normal operation.

    No 

    GO to B8.

  8. B8 SUBSTITUTE ANTENNA EXTENSION CABLE 
    • Key in OFF position.
    • Substitute a known good antenna extension cable.
    • Key in START position.
    • Verify the operation of the audio unit.
    • Is the noise eliminated? 

    Yes 

    INSTALL a new antenna extension cable. REFER to ANTENNA . TEST the system for normal operation.

    No 

    GO to B9.

  9. B9 SUBSTITUTE AUDIO UNIT 
    • Key in OFF position.
    • Substitute a known good audio unit.
    • Key in START position.
    • Verify the operation of the audio unit.
    • Is the noise eliminated? 

    Yes 

    REMOVE the audio unit and SEND it to an authorized audio system repair facility. TEST the system for normal operation.

    No 

    GO to B10.

  10. B10 REPOSITION COMPONENTS 
    • Key in OFF position.
    • Determine if the noise can be eliminated by repositioning the antenna extension cable, speaker circuits or audio unit power feed circuits away from other circuits and brackets.
    • Key in START position.
    • Verify the operation of the audio unit.
    • Is the noise eliminated? 

    Yes 

    Permanently REPOSITION the components as needed. TEST the system for normal operation.

    No 

    GROUND various parts of the vehicle to the frame using a jumper cable (for example: engine, fenders, quarter panels, stone deflectors, body sheet metal). When the noise is eliminated, PROVIDE a permanent ground where necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.

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