Hello

I’m having an issue where my radio will tune to a radio station, display the ST on the bottom right corner, then losing connection entirely.
It also happens with a Bluetooth FM Transmitter which has worked well for years.

The radio is not original, I believe it belonged to a 1986 model instead. The antenna is also third party, and stationary.
Turning the radio on and off does not resolve the issue. Prior to this, I was having an issue where, when the car is cold, the radio may produce a high pitched noise that changes according to engine RPM. Switching if off and on fixes that intermittently, and it goes away when the car has been driven for a while.

Any suggestions on what I can try to tackle first? Just hoping it’s not the radio itself.

I’m attaching a similar picture of the radio for reference.

 

Check/clean/repair connections at the back of the radio? Particularly the antenna socket? That's where I'd begin.

Cheers
DD

 

Doug is right, if you have that fun high pitch sound that changes with acceleration when on AM/FM, (sort of a fun way to augment your exhaust sound hahah,) then most likely the ground on your radio is not connected well enough.

It's quite possible that the antenna cable is just not plugged in enough or has fallen out. So start there first.

Make sure the radios ground is good, or create a new ground close to the radio.
Generally, this issue is caused by a ground loop.
As in, the difference in ground potential between two or more ground points. (One will "drain" to the others with more ground potential and audio devices tend to output that voltage).

Further to that, make sure the antenna and other cabling stereo cabling is in good condition with no exposed copper.
If you find some exposed, it's ok to tape up as long as there is no connection between the outer (ground) and the inner (positive) cables.

Also check any other cabling that might have bare metal touching bare metal.

Where possible I would also plug and replug the alternator and stereo cables several times to create a good fresh connection (or carefully clean with electrical contact cleaner and a brush).
Some times with age, connections can become dull and less effective.

When you get it working good, go for a drive with Highway Star by Deep Purple blasting, thats a proper Jag song haha. The live version on Made in Japan of course!
I swear the British engine (and probably your foot) responds with vigour to the english rock, thank me later.

 

AJ8600 radio going HAL9000.
I have 4 of them, all with different symptoms, none repairable.