Windshield replaced - now radio is nothing but static (???)

AKA SIR · December 15, 2018

So my 2016 Silverado 1500 got a crack in the windshield that quickly spread, so I had to get it replaced. I listed to the radio 100% of the time when driving it and it was no different when I dropped it off today to get it replaced. When I picked it up I started backing out of my parking spot and noticed the radio was all static. Sure enough, every station I tried (AM and FM) were all static. These are stations I normally get in perfectly in this particular location. And I am positive it was working fine when I dropped it off.

So I immediately get the tech to come out and look and it and he was perplexed. He even made the comment that when he drove it back to get started on it the radio was on and he had to turn it down. So it was left that I need to take it to my dealer and if the dealer determines whatever is wrong was caused by their install. they will pay for it (which makes me uneasy)

They said that replacing a windshield has nothing to do with the antenna. The checked my actual antenna on my fender and it seemed to be fine. Has anyone heard of anything like this before?

1SLOW1500 · December 15, 2018

Weird best I can say is there is a connector up on the dash under the windshield trim plastic and also wire running up the pillar. But when I saw windshields replaced they do it all from the outside and don't touch any of the inside trim. You can pop of the passenger black crowl corner piece and take a look at the antenna.

silveradosid · December 15, 2018

i have had three windshields replaced in my truck and it never effected the radio

duquephart · December 15, 2018

They broke it, they fix it.

AKA SIR · December 15, 2018

41 minutes ago, duquephart said:

They broke it, they fix it.

The problem is they are thinking they didn’t break it. I don’t know how they did but on the other hand I don’t know how it wasn’t them considering it was working when the tech drove it back and wasn’t working when they were done

KJS Sullivan · December 15, 2018

It's probably the connector under the dash area or maybe they did damage the antenna and not saying anyting. Of course they will say it's not them. In this day and age nobody wants to be responsible for anything. Except for GM truck owners :-)

AKA SIR · December 15, 2018

9 hours ago, KJS Sullivan said:

It's probably the connector under the dash area or maybe they did damage the antenna and not saying anyting. Of course they will say it's not them. In this day and age nobody wants to be responsible for anything. Except for GM truck owners :-)

Any thoughts on where I can look to see if it is something simple? Is it easy to check behind the dash? I am going to go see if I can see anything obvious but I dont really know what to look for

KJS Sullivan · December 16, 2018

I think the antenna connection is behind the glove box components you'll need to remove the glove box and see behind it for the connection

KJS Sullivan · December 16, 2018

There are YouTube videos that show how to locate the antenna line also to remove the glove box

Hillwood · December 16, 2018

Take it back to the windshield place and have them fix it.

If you are sure they did it.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Supreme Pizza · December 16, 2018

I don't know if this applies to yours, but some rigs have the AM antennas built into the windshield. If that is the case on your rig - there may be some sort of issue with it.

A few tests:

Does the system work with any other inputs, such as Bluetooth or CD?

You could try removing the head unit, and plugging in an after market antenna. They sell them for around $20 at Walmart.

You could unplug the battery for a few minutes to reset the system.

A few good firm slaps on the dash above the stereo?

Nitrousbird · December 17, 2018

Send them a card and thank them. So many better options than terrestrial radio. I don't have rabbit ears on my TV nor on my truck.

AKA SIR · December 17, 2018

4 hours ago, starman8tdc said:

I don't know if this applies to yours, but some rigs have the AM antennas built into the windshield. If that is the case on your rig - there may be some sort of issue with it.

A few tests:

Does the system work with any other inputs, such as Bluetooth or CD?

You could try removing the head unit, and plugging in an after market antenna. They sell them for around $20 at Walmart.

You could unplug the battery for a few minutes to reset the system.

A few good firm slaps on the dash above the stereo?

XM works and comes in fine (separate antenna) - so I know the radio works. It must be isolated to the FM/AM antenna.

I have removed the head unit and unplugged the antenna wire and re-attached it... still nothing.

I will swap out the antenna with an extra stubby one I have to see if that makes a difference

If not, I will pick up a cheap antenna / wire and plug it in to see if it works.

Does anyone know if the antenna wire from the mast to the head unit is an uninterrupted cable? Or are there any junctions or splices in between?

I went on YouTube and nothing on there talks about the antenna WIRE for this body style - only how to replace the actual antenna. I have removed the glove boxes and there is no hint of the wire there... it appears as though it is completely buried behind the dash.

KJS Sullivan · December 17, 2018

I checked into this a little bit more it is under the dash cowl if you call it that it's the panel on top of the dash under the front windshield that panel removes and access is there.

AKA SIR · December 17, 2018

1 minute ago, KJS Sullivan said:

I checked into this a little bit more it is under the dash cowl if you call it that it's the panel on top of the dash under the front windshield that panel removes and access is there.

Is that on the outside of the truck under the hood? Or is that inside the cabin all the way up at the base of the windshield?