My FM reception comes and goes; ideas?

[~vo328~]

I've got a '96 328i with the H/K system. My FM radio usually doesn't work when I first turn the radio on. Sometimes, if I leave it on for a few minutes, the reception suddenly returns... although that's usually short-lived. And, when I do get reception, if I change stations, I lose reception completely.

Any ideas? Faulty radio? Faulty antenna amp? I have taken it to the dealer (warranty covered) 3 times now, and they still haven't fixed it... it's really pissing me off. I appreciate any ideas y'all might have. Oh, I should mention that when I am not getting FM reception, I just hear white noise. And, the AM reception is unaffected... works perfectly.

[Alpine7572]

If they checked it 3 times without anything done, I would have them replace the radio. Usually, the antenna plug behind the radio can come loose but if it goes out like that then it points to radio problems

Mike

[ASCH MAN]

Any idea what was causing this problem. My Factory HK system is acting up too with the FM reception only. What connection should be checked first?

[~vo328~]

Audioman, you might want to check the connections on the rear of your deck and at the antenna amplifier, which is located in one of the C pillars (though, I forget which one). I think the Bentley manual shows which C pillar though.

The dealer did finally give me a new head unit, as the problem was sourced to something in the deck itself.

[ASCH MAN]

VO, thanks for the reply. My first guess is that it is the head unit. So you are saying the new head unit solved the problem?

I am plan getting a new deck in the next month or so and I figured the FM chip in the HK head was just going out.