Poor FM reception - stock '07 Cobalt LS
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Poor FM reception - stock '07 Cobalt LS
I have a 2007 LS Coupe, bought it new in October.
It has the "black tie" radio with the auxiliary input. Anyways, the FM reception is pretty bad. Already the dealer has taken the radio out to make sure the connectors were snug, and when that didn't help they replaced the head unit. Neither of these have improved reception any.
Any suggestions on an aftermarket antenna that might improve reception? Most of the antenna posts around here are about improving appearance
Also, How does one test the antenna or the antenna wire?
Thanks!
It has the "black tie" radio with the auxiliary input. Anyways, the FM reception is pretty bad. Already the dealer has taken the radio out to make sure the connectors were snug, and when that didn't help they replaced the head unit. Neither of these have improved reception any.
Any suggestions on an aftermarket antenna that might improve reception? Most of the antenna posts around here are about improving appearance
Also, How does one test the antenna or the antenna wire?
Thanks!
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I have a 2007 LS Coupe, bought it new in October.
It has the "black tie" radio with the auxiliary input. Anyways, the FM reception is pretty bad. Already the dealer has taken the radio out to make sure the connectors were snug, and when that didn't help they replaced the head unit. Neither of these have improved reception any.
Any suggestions on an aftermarket antenna that might improve reception? Most of the antenna posts around here are about improving appearance
Also, How does one test the antenna or the antenna wire?
Thanks!
It has the "black tie" radio with the auxiliary input. Anyways, the FM reception is pretty bad. Already the dealer has taken the radio out to make sure the connectors were snug, and when that didn't help they replaced the head unit. Neither of these have improved reception any.
Any suggestions on an aftermarket antenna that might improve reception? Most of the antenna posts around here are about improving appearance
Also, How does one test the antenna or the antenna wire?
Thanks!
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I have had the same problem since new (also 07 2.2) and i thought about taking it to the dealer but usually thats a waste of time so i said screw it. I have an after market H/U now and it still does the same thing. I don't even listen to the radio anymore, i only listen to CDs and my Ipod.
This post is kind of interesting:
http://www.chevroletforum.com/archiv...e-49354-1.html
It looks like the antenna wire doesn't run directly to the back of the head unit; there is some kind of intermediate connection by the glove box before it goes to the head unit. I wonder if the connection is loose here and the dealer has only been checking on the back of the radio.
Last edited by exxxciteCL; 02-10-2008 at 10:57 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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If you go to your dealer, they'll do a reprogram for the radio. Reason i know that is i work at a Chevy dealer and had to do it on mine. works fine now.
For anyone with login for SI:
Poor Audio Quality When Listening to AM or FM Radio (Reprogram Radio) #06-08-44-016C - (04/03/2007)
For anyone with login for SI:
Poor Audio Quality When Listening to AM or FM Radio (Reprogram Radio) #06-08-44-016C - (04/03/2007)
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I've had the same problem with my 2.2 at one point. For me it was the wires in the back, some how they got loose and the reception came in all fuzzy and it buzzed loud. So I just made the connections tighter in the back. Maybe this will help. Good luck.
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If you go to your dealer, they'll do a reprogram for the radio. Reason i know that is i work at a Chevy dealer and had to do it on mine. works fine now.
For anyone with login for SI:
Poor Audio Quality When Listening to AM or FM Radio (Reprogram Radio) #06-08-44-016C - (04/03/2007)
For anyone with login for SI:
Poor Audio Quality When Listening to AM or FM Radio (Reprogram Radio) #06-08-44-016C - (04/03/2007)
Thanks for the info yellow_ss07 and LaserBlue07SS !!
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Well, I had the radio reprogramed a couple months ago, and it didn't make any difference.
I recently had the pleasure of renting a 2008 Impala LS for ten days, and it had a similar radio. Looked identical to the one in the Cobalt, except the display was incapable of text - it simply stated the station I was listening to. I was unimpressed with the reception in the Impala, despite it using a rear-window antenna that I thought might provide better reception. Many of the stations I enjoy listening came in intermittently. I guess the head units just suck, which is kind of a relief. I thought the poor reception was something specific to my Cobalt LS.
Other cars in our family include a 1998 Acura CL (window antenna) and a 1997 Nissan Sentra (mast antenna) and I never had any problems with the factory radios. I live right in Cleveland, OH proper and can actually just look out and see the giant towers which have the antennas for some of the stations which come in poorly both on the Cobalt and the Impala I recently rented after an accident.
I recently had the pleasure of renting a 2008 Impala LS for ten days, and it had a similar radio. Looked identical to the one in the Cobalt, except the display was incapable of text - it simply stated the station I was listening to. I was unimpressed with the reception in the Impala, despite it using a rear-window antenna that I thought might provide better reception. Many of the stations I enjoy listening came in intermittently. I guess the head units just suck, which is kind of a relief. I thought the poor reception was something specific to my Cobalt LS.
Other cars in our family include a 1998 Acura CL (window antenna) and a 1997 Nissan Sentra (mast antenna) and I never had any problems with the factory radios. I live right in Cleveland, OH proper and can actually just look out and see the giant towers which have the antennas for some of the stations which come in poorly both on the Cobalt and the Impala I recently rented after an accident.
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