2013 Base Taco - poor radio reception??

Hi all,

I just got my 2013 Tacoma last week and it is great except for two things. One is the radio reception is pretty poor. I have a 2015 Kia Soul as my gas sipper, and it gets the 7 stations that I want clearly and with no issues. The Tacoma gets 2 of the 7 stations clearly and the other 5, when it gets them at all, drop out and alter volume a lot - it is very annoying! Do I have a bad antenna or something, or is this just how the radio works? I live very in a very rural place, and the station signal aren't strong and there are mountains everywhere, but like I said, my Kia has no problems.

Thanks!

Oh, before you ask, the other issue is the rear window is HIGHLY reflective, and I see the hood, the road, and oncoming traffic moving in the rear view mirror constantly. - Going to block it and just use the side mirrors I think.

 

You say you just got your 2013? Did the PO have an aftermarket radio in it? I would, first thing, pull the radio and check that your antenna cable is properly seated.

 

@TacomaNewbieWV Removal and reinstall.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stereo-upgrade-basic-how-to-2nd-gen.571/

 

My '13 radio works fine, but I don't live in an area like you either. (And my base is more base than your base, as I only have 5 lugs ).

However, it has worked fine on road trips.

I did change the antenna to a slightly shorter aftermarket unit at one time, and that didn't work worth a hoot, so I went back to the OE unit. Maybe check that out too, both that it's OE and seated properly.

 

Does your truck have any aftermarket LED headlight bulbs, fogs, or driving lights? I replaced some halogen fogs with Diode Dynamics SS3's and it absolutely killed my radio reception. Had to use a bunch of ferrite cores to mitigate the static and get reception back to an acceptable level.

 

It’s not uncommon for the antenna base to corrode and cause poor reception.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-replace-oem-antenna-in-fender.261341/

 

Please elaborate! What's a ferrite core?

This would be the easiest and first thing I'd do. Make sure antenna is attached to radio and follow the cable all the way to the antenna. My previous owner removed my cable and I'm too lazy to replace so I just rock Apple Car Play at all times. Works well for me because I only use the truck for wheelin' in the boonies where there's hardly any radio reception anyway.

 

They clip over a wire and cut down how much RFI (interference) is produced.

(Pack of 20pcs) Clip-on Ferrite Ring Core RFI EMI Noise Suppressor Cable Clip for 3mm/ 5mm/ 7mm/ 9mm/ 13mm Diameter Cable, Black

https://www.amazon.com/Jabinco-20pc...Q?keywords=Ferrite+Bead&qid=1648049573&sr=8-3

 

Very likely corroded antenna base.

 

Weird. Haven't heard of that one before...

I'd try tinting the rear window before giving up the mirror.

 

The rear window has a dark tint to it - maybe that is the problem? Was this an aftermarket tint? Is the window normally clear? If so - I may need to remove the tint if possible.

 

I think it is the base radio - the manual matches it - but I have never been in another Tacoma so I am not sure.

 

None of the windows come with a super dark tint. If I had to guess its probably aftermarket. I have a 2014 and had 0 issues with it.

 

If it's dark, its aftermarket. If it's the 'wrong' kind for that application, as in too reflective, that is likely the problem.

Removal isnt too difficult. A wallpaper removal or grout cleaning steamer can really be helpful though.