Hello,
First time poster, but I have found this site very useful, so many thanks!

I am having a problem with my 1999 Protege stereo. All of the sudden the radio stopped working and all I get is static. The CD player works fine, but the radio, all I get is static. I went and bought (and installed) a new cheapo CD player (was going to anyways, the volume dial didnt work all that well) and I still get the same thing!! This is frustrating as I use the radio for traffic all the time on the commute into work.

I was wondering if anyone had any insight into what may be the cause. I appreciate any help.

EDIT: Oh, and I googled and searched these forums, didnt find anything.

 

Your antenna input went bad.

1. Clean the antenna to car connection. My antenna just unscrews. Use a wire brush and rubbing alcohol and qtip. screw it back on tight. Good? If not...

2. Check the continuity of the cable from the antenna to the radio. Check for ground/short.



Fist time for us - so it is not a 'known' conector problem...

 

Thanks for the input, Ill try that out report back...

 

Well, after weeks of not working. The radio works now. Weird. I went to clean the antenna terminal and tested it again first. Lo' and Behold!
I seem to get a little static when playing CD's or the radio, but I think this might be a grounding or interference issue (or just a cheap deck).

Thanks for your help p-funk.

 

Please describe the 'new static'.

Is it only when the enigne is running?

 

It seems to be there even when the engine is off. It is very light and you can only hear it when the volume is low or there is a quiet song (or quiet part in a song).
I dont even really notice it until the engine is off because of the other noises, but I know it's always there.

 

It's your wiring. You need some better wires. The distortion you are hearing is a low freq whine I think. Alot of times, if you run a syatem and do a quick, shitty install, you have that nasty whine & yes, it's annoying. I've had to fix a few of my friends problems.

 

^That is why i was asking if 'running or not'. To see of it was alt whine/noise. Since it isn't - further troubleshooting is needed.

If the old radio didn't have the 'hash' and the new one does and you used the same connector (i.e. radio powers and grounds) the problem may be the new radio.

Try to take it back and swap for another.

Let us know!