Vue radio insensitive?

[RicksVue]

It's now two weeks since I traded in my LS2 for a Vue AWD/6.
Everything seems OK except the radio, which seems to have two problems:

• The FM radio is insensitive - stations that the LS2 received OK are noisy
• The AM radio station I listen to has a low-level tone (a harmonic) all the time

I've got the 6-CD changer/cassette type radio. I remember someone posting about a similar problem - probably on rec.autos.makers.saturn, but I can't find the post using Google. Any ideas? I'm planning to ask the dealer about it at the 3000 mile service, but I'm worried about the standard "they all do that" type response.

[Alan eh?]

I feel the same about my radio. i have the low end stereo in my VUE and when i take it in next, I plan to ask them to make sure the antena is connected. I can hardly get a radio ststion whose tower I can actually see from here!

=Alan=

[mr weather]

Originally posted by Alan eh?
I feel the same about my radio. i have the low end stereo in my VUE and when i take it in next, I plan to ask them to make sure the antena is connected. I can hardly get a radio ststion whose tower I can actually see from here!

=Alan=

Hmmm.... maybe you need to get out of the shadow of the Mountain! j/k

I've found the reception on my VUE to be pretty good. On my last trip to visit my folks I was able to listen to Q107 until halfway between K/W and London. There are some dead spots even in and around Mississauga (the Credit River valley comes to mind).

[skijay]

check your antenna. Mine was not screwed in all the way. The day I drove mine home, my reception was weak. I noticed it was loose and I tightened it. It performs like former L100 now.

[RicksVue]

Originally posted by Alan eh?
I feel the same about my radio. i have the low end stereo in my VUE and when i take it in next, I plan to ask them to make sure the antena is connected. I can hardly get a radio ststion whose tower I can actually see from here!

=Alan=

Well, it's not nearly that bad! That's why I'm not sure how the dealer's going to react; while it's not hearing as well as I'd expect, it does work.
-Rick

[RicksVue]

Originally posted by skijay
check your antenna. Mine was not screwed in all the way. The day I drove mine home, my reception was weak. I noticed it was loose and I tightened it. It performs like former L100 now.

I've just checked, and the antenna was quite tight. I removed it and reinstalled to see if that made any difference (unlikely, but I figured it was worth a shot.)
Thanks for the idea, though - I hadn't thought to check the antenna; pretty pathetic for a ham operator.
-Rick

[mr weather]

Originally posted by RicksVue
I've just checked, and the antenna was quite tight. I removed it and reinstalled to see if that made any difference (unlikely, but I figured it was worth a shot.)
Thanks for the idea, though - I hadn't thought to check the antenna; pretty pathetic for a ham operator.
-Rick

Ah... been there done that. Nothing like trying to tune your HF rig into a non-existent antenna.

73 de VA3WXM

[RicksVue]

Originally posted by RicksVue
I've just checked, and the antenna was quite tight. I removed it and reinstalled to see if that made any difference

Unfortunately, it didn't make any difference. Given the responses, it's possibly the antenna cable - maybe it's pinched somewhere - or the connector isn't firmly inserted into the radio. I'm not ready to take the dash apart to check the radio because it looks a lot harder to pull than then other Saturns I've owned (SL2, SW2, SC2) because the trim panel is so large.
Does anyone have experience with pulling the panel without any special tools?

[ricksLS1]

Originally posted by RicksVue
Unfortunately, it didn't make any difference. Given the responses, it's possibly the antenna cable - maybe it's pinched somewhere - or the connector isn't firmly inserted into the radio. I'm not ready to take the dash apart to check the radio because it looks a lot harder to pull than then other Saturns I've owned (SL2, SW2, SC2) because the trim panel is so large.
Does anyone have experience with pulling the panel without any special tools?

Since your bringing the car in for the 3,000 mile service tell them about the radio. If you feel they will say it's normal ask that the tech check it out with you there to ensure that he (or she) hears the problem. You pay for the warranty in the car price. Let them check it out.