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Car Forum / Ford / Ford Focus / December 2004

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AM radio interference on 2004 ZTS

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bj - 15 Dec 2004 14:31 GMT
I have the Blaupunkt single cd am/fm in this car and get
wicked electrical interference on the am band when
the engine is on. Dealer says there's no remedy.
Any ideas?

B
Gino - 15 Dec 2004 21:06 GMT
Without hearing it one is guessing  but-

A whine is the alternator any other noise is the ignition system.
There should be a radio noise suppressor on the coil pack, drivers side of
engine. If the plug is not connected or the suppressor is bad and you will
get noise from the ignition system. The other problem could be the resistor
spark plugs or the spark plug leads. If the radio is not grounded properly
or the engine/chassis ground is bad, can cause noise. The dealer is full of
it and should be able to determine what is causing the interference, the
stereo is a factory fit, is it not. Hope this helps.

I have the Blaupunkt single cd am/fm in this car and get
wicked electrical interference on the am band when
the engine is on. Dealer says there's no remedy.
Any ideas?

B
FanJet - 15 Dec 2004 21:49 GMT
> I have the Blaupunkt single cd am/fm in this car and get
> wicked electrical interference on the am band when
> the engine is on. Dealer says there's no remedy.
> Any ideas?
>
> B

I've heard that the antenna mount is too tight or not tight enough. Some
dealers know about this. Ask yours to try harder or try another.
Me - 16 Dec 2004 16:01 GMT
>>I have the Blaupunkt single cd am/fm in this car and get
>>wicked electrical interference on the am band when
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> I've heard that the antenna mount is too tight or not tight enough. Some
> dealers know about this. Ask yours to try harder or try another.

Thats what fixed my '00 ZX3, it's up under the dome light,(asuming the light is
in the same place as the ZX3).
Tony Wesley - 17 Dec 2004 04:45 GMT
> > I've heard that the antenna mount is too tight or not tight enough. Some
> > dealers know about this. Ask yours to try harder or try another.

> Thats what fixed my '00 ZX3, it's up under the dome light,(asuming the light is
> in the same place as the ZX3).

Whoa!  Tell me more.  I'm having serious AM interference.  This is an
'01
Wagon SE, US model.

I had it before, within the warranty period and they replaced the
antenna wire and the radio.  Now it's coming back.  Only the AM band.
What happened with your ZX3?
GM - 20 Dec 2004 03:14 GMT
I had this problem pretty early on in my '01 ZX3. On AM only. I first
noticed it as fading when going under underpasses and then getting all
kinds of whistles and buzzes when putting my brakes/signals on. On
weaker stations it was much worse but then did it some on 50 KW'ers
too. All was quiet with the engine off, so that is the noise generator
(electronics). I figured the ground of the antenna was bad and got into
it. When I was done tightening the antenna cable screw, it was all
quiet again. Then it would come back a few months later. Just like
others who worked or had it worked on.

I thought it was a bad crimp to the center wire of the coax antenna
cable so I soldered it (or was it the braid part, I forget now).
Actually, I am not sure there is a ground up there, as the antenna base
is plastic and nothing touches the metal car body (roof). The problem
went away after soldering the crimp but lately it is back though not as
bad. I do not yet have the whistles when I put the brakes/signals on.
When that happens I will take it aaprt again.

I think that next I will put a star washer or 2 in between the screw,
lug and antenna base to maintain better contact. At least I know the
problem is in that area and not the cable or radio or power harness. If
this fixes it for good I will post. If anyone else fixes it, please
post your fix.

I guess it is either not that common a problem or few listen to AM!
Gary
Me - 20 Dec 2004 16:09 GMT
> I had this problem pretty early on in my '01 ZX3. On AM only. I first
> noticed it as fading when going under underpasses and then getting all
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> I guess it is either not that common a problem or few listen to AM!
> Gary

Same noises here too, wistles and buzzes wen hitting the signals and brakes,
dealer showed me to remove the inside light, and mounting hardware, underthat is
the bottom screw for the antenna mount, IIRC it's a T25, loosen it up, if you
remove the screw the antenna will be compleatly disconnected and will fall, you
will need 2 people to put back on, if you don't have a sun roof, the dealer just
kept moving the wire/mount until the noise went away. I will have to get up and
look to see what can be soldered myself and redo it again as it has started
making noises again.
GM - 20 Dec 2004 03:16 GMT
I had this problem pretty early on in my '01 ZX3. On AM only. I first
noticed it as fading when going under underpasses and then getting all
kinds of whistles and buzzes when putting my brakes/signals on. On
weaker stations it was much worse but then did it some on 50 KW'ers
too. All was quiet with the engine off, so that is the noise generator
(electronics). I figured the ground of the antenna was bad and got into
it. When I was done tightening the antenna cable screw, it was all
quiet again. Then it would come back a few months later. Just like
others who worked or had it worked on.

I thought it was a bad crimp to the center wire of the coax antenna
cable so I soldered it (or was it the braid part, I forget now).
Actually, I am not sure there is a ground up there, as the antenna base
is plastic and nothing touches the metal car body (roof). The problem
went away after soldering the crimp but lately it is back though not as
bad. I do not yet have the whistles when I put the brakes/signals on.
When that happens I will take it aaprt again.

I think that next I will put a star washer or 2 in between the screw,
lug and antenna base to maintain better contact. At least I know the
problem is in that area and not the cable or radio or power harness. If
this fixes it for good I will post. If anyone else fixes it, please
post your fix.

I guess it is either not that common a problem or few listen to AM!
Gary
 
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