Radio Problems

SilveradoWV · February 18, 2003

Well, the radio in our '91 K1500 cant pick up stations unless you are right on them now, just happened overnight. I pulled the radio out and was surprised how small it was, bout only 4 inches deep. I thought the antenna might plug right into the radio but nothing does, it is wired in straight I assume. I did find one plug way under the dash that leads to the wires going into the radio but still that doesnt give me much to go on. I feel it is an antenna problem but I have no idea. I traced the antenna wire from under the hood but cant find it anywhere under the dash. I guess it has to be wired into that small plug leading to the radio right?? Well if anyone has had this problem please let me know! Thanks

Shaners · February 18, 2003

I would have guessed that there would be a big black coax-type wire for the antenna. But I guess I'm wrong

You might want to ask the guys in the Audio section of this forum the same question. I bet they can give you an idea as to what to do.

sk · February 18, 2003

If you pulled off the area where the buttons are you didn't get to the "guts" of the radio -- thats just the control panel. The '88 to '94s have 3 separate pieces -- one for the controls, one for the tape deck/equalizer, and one for the amp/electronics. It should be mounted under the dash to the right of the steering column. It's a black box about 2 inches thick by about 5x8 (I'm going by memory here! ). You'll have to dig way up into the dash to find it.

If you can't find it let me know and I'll check my '94 this weekend .....

Scott

SilveradoWV · February 19, 2003

Ok just to make sure we are on the same page, my radio is gray with square push buttons and some toggles, the tape is located over in the center of the dash where the vents are for AC (but truck dont have AC, guess its just vents) facing the person who sets in the middle. Below the radio are the heater controls. I pulled out the whole radio not jsut the faceplate, although I couldnt see anything because it was all incased in a silverish aluminium looking stuff. I was expecting to find a coax type connector going into the back of the radio but there wasnt, I dont even think there is a place for one. There is only one batch of wires going in and they are all in conduit about as big around as a sharpie marker. I there was no plugs that I could get to from the hole where the radio was, I did locate the wire coming out of the radio from under the dash (like in the floor) going to a flat plug that had maybe 5 or 6 wires, and that is the only thing coming out of the radio, although I am not sure where it goes from there. So what do I need to look for?? Thanks for the help!!!!!! :thumb:

Wingnut · February 19, 2003

Maybe the antennae wire goes to the tape deck, and is just a part of the harness coming out of it?

Not sure.

Thats an easy area to get to. You could check that in about 5 minutes with no tools. Just pull it out and look for that "black coax" type thing that nobody seems to know what its real name is.

Shaners · February 19, 2003

look for that "black coax" type thing that nobody seems to know what its real name is.

LOL!!!

MountaineerTom · February 19, 2003

look for that "black coax" type thing that nobody seems to know what its real name is.

LOL!!!

That would be the antenna, right?

Shaners · February 19, 2003

That would be the antenna, right?

That's what he's looking for but can't find...

Texas1836 · February 19, 2003

There is only one batch of wires going in and they are all in conduit about as big around as a sharpie marker. I there was no plugs that I could get to from the hole where the radio was, I did locate the wire coming out of the radio from under the dash (like in the floor) going to a flat plug that had maybe 5 or 6 wires, and that is the only thing coming out of the radio, although I am not sure where it goes from there. So what do I need to look for??

Follow that wire bundle down to the lower part of the dash to the right side of the steering wheel. Like sk stated that is where the actual radio guts are, it is a seperate system. The part that is in the upper dash is just the control panel.

Thomas from TEXAS

rrsob · February 19, 2003

My '89 had the three piece radio, tapedeck and amp also. I don't remember where the ant. was plugged in but I do remember for sure there was one. Just remember if you get an ant. booster or something, save yourself a trip back to the store. Get a ant. adapter for GM radio's. GM ant. plugs are smaller than standard and require an adapter to plug the ant. into anything else like a booster, FM modulator etc.

Good Luck.

SilveradoWV · February 19, 2003

Thanks guys, I'll trace those wires coming out of the radio part in the dash and see if I can find something!! I am hopeing to find the antenna unplugged or something.

SilveradoWV · February 19, 2003

Well I found the radio tucked up under the dash but unfortunately everything was plugged in including the antenna.

Is there a booster in there that could have gone bad? I kindof dont know what to do know, I bet that unit is pretty pricey. I used to have one of those FM boosters people used to use in those old school vehicles but cant find it, just wondering if that would work? Anyone have any ideas or a part # for that radio unit under the dash?