FM radio issue

Hey yall, I’m brand new here so I apologize if a similar issue has been posted and solved already...but the FM radio in my 2012 Raptor won’t stop on any stations when pressing the seek buttons. If I use the tune knob, I can manually select local stations and they work as normal, but when pressing seek the radio just cycles through all the stations and stops at the one in which I started. Also the seek buttons do function properly in all other media sources (Bluetooth, CD, USB, etc) so I know they aren’t sticking or anything. I acquired the truck used, and it already has a Stubby antenna installed, not sure if this could potentially be the source of the issue, but figured I’d ask in case there was a simple fix with sync 1 that I’m unaware of or couldn’t find in the owners manual. Thanks!

Usually with any vehicle if there is a weak signal the seek button just scrolls until it reaches the last known station. I would install a proper antenna if you don't have spotify or other stuff, lol. Maybe @The Car Stereo Company has an idea. Btw, welcome to the place and post a pic of your raptor.

most likely it will be the antenna. the height is in direct relation to reception. the short antennas have less of a ground plane. a standard antenna is 31.5 inches for a reason. any modifications to it will affect reception

Appreciate it gentleman. I don’t use the radio often for anything other than streaming from my phone, but always enjoy having the radio for quick errands or whatever.

I had the same issue with my 2011. I ordered a longer antenna and it helped some. I didn't get the full length antenna. One thing I noticed when I switched them out was a lot of corrosion where the antenna screws in. Be sure and check that, try to clean it (both inside the antenna threads and the threaded part sticking out of the truck) and see if that helps.

Bankspower211 said:

I had the same issue with my 2011. I ordered a longer antenna and it helped some. I didn't get the full length antenna. One thing I noticed when I switched them out was a lot of corrosion where the antenna screws in. Be sure and check that, try to clean it (both inside the antenna threads and the threaded part sticking out of the truck) and see if that helps.

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If you do find corrosion, clean the threads and everything that could possibly serve as an electrical contact with a brass brush, the small brush that is used with a moto tool, or steel wool. Then use a small quantity of dielectric grease, and be sure to screw the antenna in tight to insure firm electrical contact.

BTW, I had a shorter aftermarket antenna on my truck and it performed as well as the much longer factory antenna. The reason, I think, is that it had a lot more antenna windings on the mast than the factory antenna. Antennas work best if their windings equal 5/8 of the radio wave they're designed for, so a shorter antenna can work as well as a longer one if it has sufficient windings.

I’m curious if it does it with the steering wheel controls? It could be a quick troubleshooting idea

WNCHSTR96 said:

I’m curious if it does it with the steering wheel controls? It could be a quick troubleshooting idea

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It does do the same thing with steering wheel controls

Chip57 said:

It does do the same thing with steering wheel controls

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Well in that case I’m with the others, check for corrosion at the connection ends. Let us know if you find a fix. Good luck

Ruger said:

If you do find corrosion, clean the threads and everything that could possibly serve as an electrical contact with a brass brush, the small brush that is used with a moto tool, or steel wool. Then use a small quantity of dielectric grease, and be sure to screw the antenna in tight to insure firm electrical contact.

BTW, I had a shorter aftermarket antenna on my truck and it performed as well as the much longer factory antenna. The reason, I think, is that it had a lot more antenna windings on the mast than the factory antenna. Antennas work best if their windings equal 5/8 of the radio wave they're designed for, so a shorter antenna can work as well as a longer one if it has sufficient windings.

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not necessarily. a 31.5 inch antenna is tuned to 1/4 wavelength at 1watt. fm stands for frequency modulation so you have to be in range of the frequency being broadcast. am stands for amplitude modulation so you need a clear line of site. the bay area is a perfect example. a radio staion on an am band in san francisco can reach the sierra mountains due to being in the mountains theres nothing blocking the line of sight. this is over 150 miles. however in the low lying areas between them you will not get signal sometimes so antenna height is necessary. its not affected as much on the fm band because you are within range of the broadcast signal. most people dont notice a difference because they dont travel far from urban areas in their daily lives. but when the math is done, there will be a difference in signal strength based off antenna height. radio interference and building, towers, hills, mountains, other electronics all affect signal as well. also, where you live ruger, there arent many obstructions, nor as much interference so it will affect you less