I have read other complaints about the am band on
the radio in the mid 90's Lexus. I get ignition noise,
static. At night some stations are overcome with adj
channel interference. I have had a 98 Malibu and 00
Impala with Delco radios and built in windshield antenna
that get the same stations perfectly. Didn't Lexus ever
bother to check Nakamichi tuner out before installing
them. I just can't believe how inferior this tuner is to
any I had in the last 15 years. No noise supression. The
middle of the AM band is especially atrocious from about
800-1100khz. I have had the antenna and cable checked and they are fine. Too many other owners have
had problems for it to be unique to my radio. Any
suggestions. I bought this car used and it is in excellent
shape.

 

Replace the FM antenna cable! Just do it!

I have seen this many times. AM static, station bleed over, and engine whine noise. Quick test: put your radio on 550am, do you get a lot of engine whine noise? If so replace the fm antenna cable. Not just nak radios but most all early coupes have this problem. Caused by engine electrical noise because the antenna cable is routed right next to the main wire loom as it runs back to the trunk. Buy a 10' to 12' after market antenna cable and run it from the radio, then through the center console toward the back seat. Then under the carpet, under the back seat, then poke a small hole where the wire loom goes through the body then into the trunk compartment.

Trust me, this fix works.