With key in ignition and engine off, the radio works perfectly fine. However, as soon as I start my truck, the reception goes bad. Seems like my antenna may be unshielded or something? I'm not electronically savvy, so I'm not sure where to start troubleshooting. Anyone else have a similar problem and know of an easy fix?

It's a stock headunit, audiophile with subwoofer. I can play CDs and music off my iPod with no issues.

 

on the front of the engine (both sides) there are 2 radio capacitors. the drivers is on the bracket for the air intake and passengers is same spot other side.

they look like a 1"x1" plastic square and about 1/2" thick

check out page 21 for a picture of them


check to see if these are okay

 

I've had the same problem with mine every since I bought it new back in 06. The dealer tested the signal level and compared it with the other trucks on their lot and found mine having low signal... to this day it has never been fixed. They have replaced the antenna twice and the the radio twice but that never fixed it. I gave up I also notice it when my kids play the headrest dvds through the radio. They pretty much are stuck with using the headphones because the reception sucks so bad.

Do you have any aftermarket electronics wired in your truck... remote start, alarm or something else. I always wondered if any of that stuff in mine could be the cause. I had my remote starter/alarm installed a week after I bought my truck. I know Ford has a TSB on splicing wires in our trucks for some reason. I doubt the shop that installed mine new anything about it.

 

I have an XM Commander and a Viper Alarm, but my radio worked fine until just a few months ago.

Tylus, I'll check the capacitors, but not sure what those are supposed to do? I thought the capacitors just let the radio run for awhile with the engine off? Not sure how they would affect radio reception.