Stock radio switches AM/FM bands on it's own - 92 Buick
 

My '92 LeSabre had no radio when I acquired it, so I installed the stock AM/FM with CD player stereo from a '91 (as I recall) Park Ave. I'm wondering if the Park Ave was haunted because this radio seems possessed lol - It will switch between the AM & FM bands on it's own, usually within a minute after it's turned on.

I noticed that sometimes it does it immediately after I turn on the headlights, and once after turning on the wipers. However - it will do it even if nothing else is turned on. It only does it once, shortly after turning it on - When it happens, for example, it switches from the FM1 band to FM2 (It will do it whether the key is in "Run" or "Accessory"). And after it does it, when I manually switch it back to the FM1 band, it will stay there.

I installed this radio in my LeSabre the same way it was installed in the stock Park Ave - I plugged in the stock radio pigtails & antenna wire, installed the mounting screws & put the dash trim back on.. I made no mods to any wiring.

Luckily, the Park Ave glovebox I also swapped in does not seem to be possessed, it hasn't popped open & spit out the owner's manual to smack me in the head or anything like that.. at least not yet..

But what the heck is the deal with this crazy radio..?

You could be right. Possessed. Call in a priest, spray holy water on it and see what happens.

No, it will only spit out 15 year old pens at you instead.

there is probably something wrong with the button, i would put some wd40 on a rag and wipe the sides of the button and push it a bunch of times

Does your steering wheel have radio control buttons? The radio could be picking up noise on the wired remote line.

I had a similar problem, switched between presets on my 1999 Bravada. Happened shortly after I armour alld the interior, ended up getting armour all in the sterring wheel buttons that controlled the radio.

I agree with JW Firebird, except I would prefer to use a electrical contact cleaner or MAF cleaner over a lubricant.

button housings are plastic on plastic therefore a lube like wd that penetrates and cleans as well is a good choice, contacts are inside shouldnt even be near them.

This was my first thought too..

15 year old pens!! LOL :lmao

While I don't have radio buttons on the wheel, these are all logical ideas..
Thank you gentlemen

There's no trace of armor-all on the radio, but it IS a 21-yr old unit, I wouldn't be surprised if the buttons & contacts had a bit of contamination in 'em..
Maybe a little blast of good ol' tuner cleaner would help.
I had wondered if this was a symptom of a bad ground or short, or a common problem for these (and/or if other's radios had done this & how they fixed it)

I'm glad I put the Park Avenue radio in the LeSabre.. it still plays the same songs but they sound a bit more luxurious now. The Park Avenue antenna is probably contributing to that, too..