Does anyone know why my AM does not work while the FM works great? I have switched out the stereo and called an audio store who said it just happens.

I have a 1990 legacy

Thanks

 

MJDUNK

bad reception? That would be my guess. If the FM works, I don;t think it's anything to do with the stereo, so I would guess you just aren't getting signal

I would normally agree, however where I live Alaska the AM is stronger than FM signal.

 

Thanks

MJDUNK

this could be due to the DTV conversion......and available frequencies dropping on power as a result.

Next, will be converter boxes for radios, or else buy a new box.

The frequencies used by TV and DTV are nowhere near AM radio. Not even close.

 

The AM radio section in an AM / FM radio is a seperate set of parts. They only share the antenna connector and the audio amplifier stages, so the AM part could just be dead.

Is it static that changes frequency with the rpm of the engine, are your grounds good?

'Just have to ask the question, is the antenna extended? FM will still work when the antenna is retracted, AM won't.

 

After that, I'd consider replacing the antenna. You can test the AM with about 10 feet of wire plugged into the antenna connector.

 

A new radio isn't that expensive. It could certainly be that the AM portion is bad and a new radio would be cheaper to install than fixing your old one.

 

Good luck with it; let us know what fixed it.

I have switched out the stereo and called an audio store who said it just happens.

Just make sure you don't buy anything radio related at this store, they certainly don't know what they are talking about. This answer sounds like they couldn't be bothered with your problem.

It just happens? edrach is right, that's just a way of the guy saying he doesn't know or doesn't want to be bothered.

 

If you changed out the unit and still have the problem then it almost has to be in the antenna circuit somewhere. You could have two bad radios, but not likely.

 

I have gotten similar symptoms - FM reception, no AM - with the antenna wire completely broken off inside the radio.

 

A couple questions - do you get silence or static on AM? Has AM ever worked in the car?