Aerial Interference

Honest John Back Room » The Back Room Archive
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Thu 1 Mar 2001 09:01
Aerial Interference - Robin Webster
Can anyone tell me why when I listen to the radio in the car with the engine off, the reception is perfect. However, as soon as I swith the engine on interference kicks in (particularly on the Medium Wave) and the radio becomes virtually unlistenable. I have read it could be something to do with static build-up, but I'm not sure. I've a bog-standard Corsa with a factory-fitted aerial - ther must be some way of solving this problem. Has anyone heard of this before ?

Thanks
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 1 Mar 2001 10:16
Re: Aerial Interference - Andrew Bairsto
The problem is electric interference coming from a variety of
sources .If it is high pitched continious noise than that is the alternator ,if it is like a tick tick tick that is the ignition(plugs coil distributer.Interference from other sources such as wipers ,heater motor will be obvious.Bad arial earthing can also cause interferce.
The solution is to buy a suppressor kit from any good car audio supplier.
regards Andy Bairsto.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 1 Mar 2001 14:06
Re: Aerial Interference - John Slaughter
I've a Vectra with the same problem - AM is unusable due to interference, but FM is fine. I ignore it as I never listen to AM!

Howvwer, I think the problem is more than just interference - I think the Vauxhalls have a signal booster in the aerial lead, and I've heard these can fail. If the problem's on both AM and FM it could also be poor contacts in the lead. May be worth checking with the local Vauxhall dealer or an Audio specialist.

Regards
John
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 1 Mar 2001 21:01
Re: Aerial Interference - Alvin Booth
Hi Robin,
Could it be the part of the country you live in????
I have a Vectra and whereas John finds AM unusable I use it quite often.
I listen to Gem radio which originates from Derby or Nottingham. Sometimes its not to good particularly in my home town but as I drive towards Derby it becomes perfect.
Other AM channels are good until I move into the Derbyshire hills where it fades away.

Regards
Alvin Booth
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 2 Mar 2001 09:20
Re: Aerial Interference - John Slaughter
No, it's not where I live. Poor reception with the engine off is replaced by a howling noise when it is running - totally obliterating any signal. Definitely a fault!

Regards

john
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide

Choosing a child seat can be a quite baffling experience – there are so many sizes, types, brands and price points available that you might not know where to start.

How to choose the right child seat