Posted: 5/1/2010 8:32:26 PM EDT
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I replaced the stock radio in my car awhile ago and it has a problem I can't figure out.
When listening to AM radio during the winter/colder periods it's fine, but during the summer/hotter times I get a bad squeal. It's the worst when I'm near power lines, but it does it to some extent all over the valley. I don't believe it has anything to do with the alternator since it only does it when it's hot. Any idea what it might be and how to fix it? It doesn't happen in my truck and it has basically the same radio just an earlier generation. This is the second radio I've installed in this car and they both did/do it (I replaced the last one because the USB quit working). the OEM radio didn't do it. It has a powered antenna. Not that it powers the antenna to go up and down, but the antenna is powered for some reason. Without the antenna power hooked up I get no reception. |
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Quoted:
It has a powered antenna. Not that it powers the antenna to go up and down, but the antenna is powered for some reason. Sounds like the preamplifier in your "powered" antenna may be oscillating. I would consider replacing it with a standard, non-powered whip antenna. Whip antennas work very well in automobiles - there's no reason to use anything more complicated. ETA: You might try temporarily plugging a whip antenna into the radio, in order to test the new antenna before permanently installing it - If the squealing goes away, you've found your culprit. |
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Quoted:
Pull the antenna feedline from the head unit and see if the sound goes away. If it does, then yes I would replace the antenna with a non-powered whip. If it does not, I would look at the alternator...perhaps it has a bad diode that only acts up when it's hot. There's an easy way to tell if it's the alternator:does the sound change pitch when you rev the engine? If it does then it's likely alternator. If it doesn't then it's not the alternator. Try turning off the engine and see if the noise goes away. That would eliminate all engine interference. |
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Quoted:
I replaced the stock radio in my car awhile ago and it has a problem I can't figure out. When listening to AM radio during the winter/colder periods it's fine, but during the summer/hotter times I get a bad squeal. It's the worst when I'm near power lines, but it does it to some extent all over the valley. I don't believe it has anything to do with the alternator since it only does it when it's hot. Any idea what it might be and how to fix it? It doesn't happen in my truck and it has basically the same radio just an earlier generation. This is the second radio I've installed in this car and they both did/do it (I replaced the last one because the USB quit working). the OEM radio didn't do it. It has a powered antenna. Not that it powers the antenna to go up and down, but the antenna is powered for some reason. Without the antenna power hooked up I get no reception. Does it only do it when you run the AC? |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Pull the antenna feedline from the head unit and see if the sound goes away. If it does, then yes I would replace the antenna with a non-powered whip. If it does not, I would look at the alternator...perhaps it has a bad diode that only acts up when it's hot. There's an easy way to tell if it's the alternator:does the sound change pitch when you rev the engine? If it does then it's likely alternator. If it doesn't then it's not the alternator. Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's not the alternator, I've heard that sound before. Quoted:
Try turning off the engine and see if the noise goes away. That would eliminate all engine interference. I'll try that. Quoted:
Does it only do it when you run the AC? Hmmm, IDK, I'll check. Thanks for the ideas so far guys. |
Well, not to be a dick, but what did you find out trying the suggestions offered? You must provide answers or ARFCOM will shun you 
You can't just ask for ideas on a troubleshooting exercise and not give feedback. No one's likely to create a flow chart saying "if this is ok, then try that, if that fails, replace the cable" This is the interwebz and it be live! 
The problem you have is pretty damn likely to be a known one. (AM radio was invented something like 95+ years ago) so you gotta report back and then I'm sure many people will give you some ideas for the next step. But I'm pretty sure the basic/obvious/first thing to check/usual ideas have been presented. No one is going to give you a magic "tweak the billinghammer and maximize the frauzenschnotzen and you're GTG" because that isn't how it works for tracking down this kind of problem. So, post up and let's see what ya got. |