2000 Ford Expedition, Removed radio to see if the antenna was plugged in or not. Now the radio will not come on. Can hear static in the background like it is transmitting sound but none of the lights or the buttons work. Tried removing the neg battery cable to see if it would reset the radio. still does the same thing. Hopefully someone can tell me an easy answer as to why it is doing this!!??

Your hearing the alternator through the radio which means the radio is not insulated very well. I would first reassure your vehicle has a radio antenna and that it is plugged into the back of the radio itself, It is a larger size round plug in on the back of the radio. Perhaps your radio antenna was broken off in a car wash. These places are notorious for ripping off car antennas very frequently.

As suggested it could be underhood electrical interference. If the "static" changes with increased rpms (rev the motor to find out) chances are it is ignition related and could be literally everything from the alternator to the ignition coil through the distributor cap, but best bet is the spark plug wires (which if still original really should be replaced anyway) or the plugs themselves. If your am static doesn't change with engine revolutions and your fm works okay I would check antenna and the antenna connections at the base of antenna and back of radio. if you cant even get a clear signal on the most powerful AM station in your area, I would bet on some kind of break in the connection between radio and antenna. p.s. if you;ve anything plugged into cigarette lighter or other 12volt outlets in the vehicle unplug them before doing any of the rest!

There are a few things you can try. AM stations use a lower frequency than FM and that is why it picks up static.
You can unplug the small plug-in at the Alternator and then start the car. The charging system will be inoperative and you will trace the problem to the charging system. This does not mean it is only the Alternator, it could be a bad wire coming from a good Alternator.
Sometimes a Bench check of the Alternator will reveal this type of problem and sometimes it does not.
You also could just need a new Antenna. Unplugging the old unit and wire and using a new replacement for the antenna wire could solve the problem. This could be tested before needing to route the wire through the body. Just remove the radio, or unplug the installed antenna lead and temporarily plug-in a new antenna.
Hope this helps.

Some radios have a fuse inside them also.
I've found car radio's in general to be not so very good.
I'd not pitch it out until you can find someone reliable to test it.
Watch out though, some folks have a "vested interest".
That means they want to sell you a new one.
Be blessed.

Check the antenna plugged.

Do you see a Spot where the Antenna Is suppose to be? Is it By the trunk?

Power antenna?

If you look in the trunk ,on the side that the antenna is on,you probably have a interior fabric trim panel hiding the lower end of the antenna mount. Remove the panel so you can see the antenna mount.

There is also a cable that runs to you're deck which could have been sliced/ pinched, disconnected and if so, All you would here is static.

This is a warning indicator for the radio. It is to notify you that there is a connection loss. The connection loss is most likely in the Antenna wiring or the antenna itself. If your not comfortable checking yourself you will need to take it to a technician that you trust. If you would like to give it a shot yourself then I recommend that you pick up a haynes or chilton manual from your local parts store. These manuals give step by step directions for repairs on all cars. Hope this helps. Good luck.

1997 Ford Expedition Car Radio Wiring Diagram
Car Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: White/Purple
Car Radio Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: Black/Pink
Car Radio Ground Wire: Black/Green
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Blue/Black
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Antenna Trigger Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Amp Trigger Wire: Blue
Car Stereo Amplifier Location: N/A
Car Audio Front Speakers Size: 6′ x 8′
Car Audio Front Speakers Location: Doors
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): White/Red
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Brown
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Green
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): White/Orange
Car Audio Rear Speakers Size: 6′ x 8′
Car Audio Rear Speakers Location: Rear Doors
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Light Blue/Black
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Purple/White
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Light Blue
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antenna is probably in rear glass or rear side glass. Check for microgap and repair with rear window defoster repair kit. use a magnifying glass to find microcrack.

This is caused by either a defective antenna or the ground to the antenna.