Radio Ariel FM transmitter query

[widdy]

Hello everyone,

Background-
i have a short on my ariel and have no radio signal in the car, all other parts of the system work fine except one speaker (rear left door).

i also have an FM transmitter cigarette lighter that came with the car, and when powered on and synced to my phone and synced to a matching FM frequency (87.5) on the radio i can listen audio via my phone.

there is no radio signal when the FM transmitter is unplugged.
i have tried different radio bands and frequescies but there is no external radio.

i have searched online but am no radio ham and i do not understand how the cars ariel does not work for outside signals but can pick up a signal via the plug-in FM transmitter.
i would like to understand this before i start to dismantle/replace parts as nobody likes playing parts roulette.

my thinking is that if the ariel is shorting then i would not be able to pick up any signal, am i wrong?

many thanks
jay

 

[NHN]

Unplug the FM transmitter fully, does radio work again?

 

[widdy]

Unplug the FM transmitter fully, does radio work again?

No, as soon as the FM transmitter is unplugged there's just static and no radio signal, I've also tried different bands and station but nothing.

 

[NHN]

I'd do a scan & see if there's a logged error, which is usually antenna amp or cable break.

 

[widdy]

I'd do a scan & see if there's a logged error, which is usually antenna amp or cable break.

all i get is 00856 Radio Antenna-sporadic 011 -open cuircuit