Hi! I've got a 96 Ford F-150 with Ford AM/FM cassette radio. I bought it with this problem that the FM radio reception cuts out and doesn't get anything for a couple to several minutes at a time. 90% of the time its ok. When the cut out happens I'm still able to get AM radio...just the FM stations don't come in and are static. Eventually it just kicks in again without me doing anything. I've tried pushing all the button on the radio, etc. while its out but that does nothing. A few weeks ago I has had replaced part of the dash and at that time the guy check all the connections in back of the radio and said it was all ok. And this happens both when the sun is out and raining.

I don't think it's the other end of the antenna otherwise I wouldn't be able to be getting AM...is that right?

Thanks for any help or if anyone knows if this is a circuit problem of some sort with Ford radios from then.

Cash Moline
Austin, TX

 

Sounds like a ground strap issue to me. Check the primary ground locations, and replace any that look questionable. The hood is a big one on radios not getting great reception.

 

YOUR RIGHT ABOUT THE ANTENNA. IF IT GETS AM THE ANTENNA IS FINE.
NO FM IS INSIDE RADIO.
TIME TO BUY ANOTHER ONE.
INSTALL NOT TOO HARD.

 

okay steve. DONT ALL CAPS ITS THE SAME AS YELLING. (okay feel better now, no offense some people just don;t know any better)

 

soory about yellin at ya all. my comp at work is always on caps.
i do know beter i just forget?
anyway, get rid of the radio in your dash or ya going to wake up listening to am all the time.

 

I'd cough up the ~$200 for a good cd player personally.

 

I agree - the stock AM/FM radio isn't that great.

 

So steve says it's not too hard to replace the radio. My tape player died, so I went out and bought a JVC and an install kit. Went out today to yank the old unit out and--there are no screws on the trip around the radio! What gives? I couldn't find anything that shows that (dis)assembly in the Haynes manual or the Owner's Bible. Any knowledge here? Thanks.
--Joe, '87 4x4, 158k mi

 

There should be 4 holes in the corners of the radio. Find 4 nails or slim screw drivers and push them in the holes until you feel a release. Then just give the radio a tug. Going in is even easier(with the same radio), just push it in and your done. Very slick design by ford. Sounds like a cold solder joint in your old radio. I'd fix it, their worth good money.

 

Can't find the holes you speak of. Are they under the trim piece that I can't get off?

 

no, but I'm not sure on an 87'. Mine has the holes in the corners in plain sight.

 

Just pull real hard on the trim ring. It's wont break I had that problem in my '87. There will be 4 screws holding yours in they are torx or a 7mm socket. Trust me the trim ring DOES come off. It's just never been removed so the clips are still really strong.

 

That's what I was hoping. I was about to go all Neanderthal on the thing earlier today, then had the thought to check the web. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

Just get the uninstall tools from autozone for like 3 bucks. They just stick in four holes on the edge of the radio. They have great pictures on how to do it here http://installdr.com