Radio static - sudden increase

TipTopTommyT · Post by **TipTopTommyT** » 21 Sep 2010, 14:59

Folks - - during the last couple of weeks, the static on the AM band has been more pronounced. Not bad all the time, but kicks in a lot more now. Weird, when I accelerate, the static cranks up. When I sound the horn, you can hear the horn through the static!

I will soon replace the radio lights...is there anything that can fix the problem while I've got the back of the radio exposed?

Thanks.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 21 Sep 2010, 15:01

Check the antenna "button" connectors on the rear side glass.

Post by **jblackburn** » 21 Sep 2010, 15:43

You're hearing electrical noise through your AM channel, most likely because of a bad ground connection somewhere...either on the radio itself, or from the alternator.

TipTopTommyT · Post by **TipTopTommyT** » 21 Sep 2010, 17:31

BEJinFbk wrote:Check the antenna "button" connectors on the rear side glass.

Here are pics of the connectors on both sides of the rear glass. Not sure what I'd be looking for here. Thanks.

Post by **renns** » 21 Sep 2010, 18:15

Sorry I can't help here, but I have the same problem, on AM only. The crackling in my case sounds like ignition noise, but doesn't change with engine speed, so I've been baffled. I'll watch this thread for further progress, and post again if I find a solution.

Retired MVS Contributor · Post by **Retired MVS Contributor** » 22 Sep 2010, 07:11

A very likely cause is damage to the copper traces somewhere on the glass...Look very closely for a scratch across one of the foils...It could be anywhere on the window...Liquid repair material is available for repairing rear window heaters and it works for antennas...It has a high metal content and when it dries it completes the circuit...

If you find a scratch, first try bridging the gap with a screw driver or such while the radio is turned on...If you hear an improvement in reception, or extra noise, you have it pin-pointed...

Post by **renns** » 22 Sep 2010, 09:08

That's a good point. I do have kids that sit in the back! I had thought the problem to not be antenna related, as the FM reception is still fine, but I should take a look to verify.

Retired MVS Contributor · Post by **Retired MVS Contributor** » 22 Sep 2010, 10:05

The AM antenna on the window is a "loop" antenna...FM is less susceptible to interference and they usualy use the wire feed as a dipole for FM reception...If you have a personal FM radio that you use when jogging, etc, there is no antenna...They use the headphone cable as an antenna...

Jerry

TipTopTommyT · Post by **TipTopTommyT** » 22 Sep 2010, 10:48

jerrymcc wrote:A very likely cause is damage to the copper traces somewhere on the glass...Look very closely for a scratch across one of the foils...It could be anywhere on the window...Liquid repair material is available for repairing rear window heaters and it works for antennas...It has a high metal content and when it dries it completes the circuit...

If you find a scratch, first try bridging the gap with a screw driver or such while the radio is turned on...If you hear an improvement in reception, or extra noise, you have it pin-pointed...

Thanks, I'll eyeball the foils when I get home.

Breed · Post by **Breed** » 03 Jun 2023, 17:05

FM radio works great - am has gone away - nothing