Tint killed my AM reception

[fungo45]

I got my windows tinted a couple months ago, and my AM reception is absolutely worthless. I knew going into it that the AM antenna was in the back window, so I specifically asked the tint shop if it would have an affect on reception. Either the guy was lying to me or didn't have a clue.

The tint looks great, and I don't want to have to take it off and get a different film if I don't have to. Are there any other options, such as maybe tapping into the antenna with something external that can be hidden somewhere?

 

[GenesisCaptain]

I got my windows tinted a couple months ago, and my AM reception is absolutely worthless. I knew going into it that the AM antenna was in the back window, so I specifically asked the tint shop if it would have an affect on reception. Either the guy was lying to me or didn't have a clue.

The tint looks great, and I don't want to have to take it off and get a different film if I don't have to. Are there any other options, such as maybe tapping into the antenna with something external that can be hidden somewhere?

My hunch is your only option is tint replacement. The problem is that most car antennas have a module that sorts out and amplifies the antenna signals from the window antenna matrix and then feeds them to the radio in a single cable. So, there is no separate AM antenna input to the radio that you could use.

You need to specifically request ceramic tint. (You can get non-metallic dyed tint, but it fades and does not have UV rejection properties.)

If they really did install a non-metallic tint, then they may have cut the antenna traces when they did the installation. However, if FM is fine and only AM is bad, then it is likely due to a metallic tint.

 

[Mark_888]

I got my windows tinted a couple months ago, and my AM reception is absolutely worthless. I knew going into it that the AM antenna was in the back window, so I specifically asked the tint shop if it would have an affect on reception. Either the guy was lying to me or didn't have a clue.

The tint looks great, and I don't want to have to take it off and get a different film if I don't have to. Are there any other options, such as maybe tapping into the antenna with something external that can be hidden somewhere?

What was the brand and model of the tint film used. (Brand is not enough).

 

[StangKiller]

Same thing happened to me - which is fine because I really only listen to XM... I knew it before I got the tint and decided to sacrifice the AM.

 

[DRS]

That reminds me. If you are using a Valentine One Radar detector, the rear antenna and reception will drop way down with metallic side and back window tint. FYI

 

[Ruissimo]

Other than replacing the tint with say... a ceramic-based tint, you are SOL, my friend.

 

[Mark_888]

Other than replacing the tint with say... a ceramic-based tint, you are SOL, my friend.

I am not an expert on removing tint film, but I would imagine it would be difficult to do without damaging the defroster and/or antenna on the rear glass.

 

[scottdk]

I got my windows tinted a couple months ago, and my AM reception is absolutely worthless. I knew going into it that the AM antenna was in the back window, so I specifically asked the tint shop if it would have an affect on reception. Either the guy was lying to me or didn't have a clue.

The tint looks great, and I don't want to have to take it off and get a different film if I don't have to. Are there any other options, such as maybe tapping into the antenna with something external that can be hidden somewhere?

I believe your 1st step should be contacting the business who did the film install. They will be able to confirm the film installed, and this should be in their records. Does your receipt not contain this information? If you did indeed advise the company not to install a metallic film, then they should remove and replace the tint on the rear window at no charge.

Could you post a picture of your car? I'd like to see the film luminous and color.

 

[Genny10]

I've have the same problem. Are you sure it's the tint? I notice that if I run the AM without starting the car it's o.k. But after the engine starts I lose some reception. This is only AM radio.

I called my tint shop and asked them about it. They said, "We have not had any complaints about AM reception loss. Also, the antenna is outside of the tint, so reception should not be affected - the tint isn't blocking the antenna in the window." Not sure what to make about that.

I'm wondering if maybe there is something else affecting our AM reception??

 

[QuantumRift]

Metallic tint...on the front windshield?

I got my windows tinted a couple months ago, and my AM reception is absolutely worthless. I knew going into it that the AM antenna was in the back window, so I specifically asked the tint shop if it would have an affect on reception. Either the guy was lying to me or didn't have a clue.

The tint looks great, and I don't want to have to take it off and get a different film if I don't have to. Are there any other options, such as maybe tapping into the antenna with something external that can be hidden somewhere?

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[QuantumRift]

Metallic film will reduce any detector that is 360 deg capable for sure.

That reminds me. If you are using a Valentine One Radar detector, the rear antenna and reception will drop way down with metallic side and back window tint. FYI

 

[fungo45]

What was the brand and model of the tint film used. (Brand is not enough).

NOt sure, I'll have to look it up. I think it was a Johnson hybrid film. Not sure what it was a hybrid off, though obviously something metallic.

 

[fungo45]

I've have the same problem. Are you sure it's the tint? I notice that if I run the AM without starting the car it's o.k. But after the engine starts I lose some reception. This is only AM radio.

I called my tint shop and asked them about it. They said, "We have not had any complaints about AM reception loss. Also, the antenna is outside of the tint, so reception should not be affected - the tint isn't blocking the antenna in the window." Not sure what to make about that.

I'm wondering if maybe there is something else affecting our AM reception??

I've never tried the radio with the engine off. I'll give that a whirl on my way home from work today.

As for the comment about the antenna being outside of the tint, I never thought of that. That seems to make sense that the antenna should still work, but I guess it's close enough to still affect it.

 

[landtuna]

I got my windows tinted a couple months ago, and my AM reception is absolutely worthless. I knew going into it that the AM antenna was in the back window, so I specifically asked the tint shop if it would have an affect on reception. Either the guy was lying to me or didn't have a clue.

The tint looks great, and I don't want to have to take it off and get a different film if I don't have to. Are there any other options, such as maybe tapping into the antenna with something external that can be hidden somewhere?

If AM reception is that important to you it is possible to install a whip antenna on the car body and tie it in to the radio receiver but you are going to have to contact someone who is familiar with your radio to ensure the proper matching coils and adapters are used. You must be one of the only people in America still listening to AM terrestrial radio.

The only way to remove tint AFAIK is to scrape it off (usually with a razor blade). Doing that will also remove the defroster/antenna circuit which is on the inside of the glass. I don't know if the defroster can be reapplied but the cost might be significant.

You might look and see if your fav AM uses a FM repeater, or, streams on the Internet. If on the Internet you might be able to access it with your cell phone and patch it into the radio via the AUX port.

 

[scottdk]

If AM reception is that important to you it is possible to install a whip antenna on the car body and tie it in to the radio receiver but you are going to have to contact someone who is familiar with your radio to ensure the proper matching coils and adapters are used. You must be one of the only people in America still listening to AM terrestrial radio.

The only way to remove tint AFAIK is to scrape it off (usually with a razor blade). Doing that will also remove the defroster/antenna circuit which is on the inside of the glass. I don't know if the defroster can be reapplied but the cost might be significant.

You might look and see if your fav AM uses a FM repeater, or, streams on the Internet. If on the Internet you might be able to access it with your cell phone and patch it into the radio via the AUX port.

I forget that AM radio still exists, until I get into my dads car He isn't into music.

As for the tint removal, the OP shouldn't be doing anything until he contacts the shop. The film can be removed, but a layer of adhesive will be left behind. Razors cannot be used on a rear window due to the defrost. The old fashioned way was to leave the car in the hot summer sun for a few hours and some of the adhesive would pull off with the tint when removed. The fun just began at this point. Now days, it's common to use a steamer on the film and the "wet" heat will heat up the adhesive making it soft and a person can slowly pull the film off the window and almost all of the adhesive clings to the film when removed instead of the staying on the window.

 

[dg_moore]

^ Oil-Flo also works well for removing solar film and the adhesive it leaves behing.

 

[fungo45]

If on the Internet you might be able to access it with your cell phone and patch it into the radio via the AUX port.

Didn't think of that - I'll look into it.

I forget that AM radio still exists, until I get into my dads car He isn't into music.

AM radio is good for local sports talk. Where else can you get that? In the morning, all there is on XM is frickin' Mike and Mike. Can't stand those guys

 

[Mark_888]

Didn't think of that - I'll look into it.



AM radio is good for local sports talk. Where else can you get that? In the morning, all there is on XM is frickin' Mike and Mike. Can't stand those guys

In a lot of markets, they simulcast AM sports talk radio on FM stations. Check the radio station website.