Static on radio when brakes applied or turn signals flashing

[darth_linux]

I have an aftermarket radio installed by the PO. It’s a early ‘90s Kenwood with cassette deck, lol.

When I apply the brakes or operate turn signals there is static. Is there a condenser or something I need to add?

Thanks!

 

[CBODY67]

"static" or a "pop"? Just curious.

There is a Chrysler MasterTech program on that, as I recall. If not, Delco Radio had one from back in the earlier 1970s or earlier.

CBODY67

 

[darth_linux]

"static" or a "pop"? Just curious.

There is a Chrysler MasterTech program on that, as I recall. If not, Delco Radio had one from back in the earlier 1970s or earlier.

CBODY67

It’s static that coincides with the turn signal and brake light bulbs being on or off.

 

[CBODY67]

"Static" like a weak AM station has in the background?

Just curious,
CBODY67

 

[MoPar~Man]

Is this with the engine running, or off? Try it with the engine off but with key in the run position. See if you get the same radio static.

 

[darth_linux]

"Static" like a weak AM station has in the background?

Just curious,
CBODY67

It’s white noise, like the TV after midnight in the ‘70s

 

[darth_linux]

Is this with the engine running, or off? Try it with the engine off but with key in the run position. See if you get the same radio static.

I’ll give it a try with the engine off and see what happens.

 

[halifaxhops]

Do you have a capacitor/condenser on the coil? Will definitely do this if not. I have a few older NORS ones if needed.

 

[3175375]

I bet it’s a ground somewhere in the rear lighting circuit

 

[darth_linux]

Do you have a capacitor/condenser on the coil? Will definitely do this if not. I have a few older NORS ones if needed.

if it was related to ignition, wouldn't it make static on the radio all of the time?

 

[darth_linux]

I bet it’s a ground somewhere in the rear lighting circuit

the brake lights and turn signal lights function as they should - why would a ground issue lead to static on the radio? I would think a ground issue would cause the lights to not work or work erratically . . .

 

[3175375]

the brake lights and turn signal lights function as they should - why would a ground issue lead to static on the radio? I would think a ground issue would cause the lights to not work or work erratically . . .

Unless you’re looking at the voltage at the radio with an oscilloscope. You might not see the issue. The poor ground may be at the radio, lights or in between. The power side could also be the culprit.

Good clean secure connections are needed.

 

[MoPar~Man]

A rusty power connection will lead to a "noisy" current draw. You wouldn't see it visually on an incandescent bulb. It's a remote possibility. I have soldered ground wires directly to the front turn signal bulb housing and ran the wires up to some bolt screwed to the rad support. My powder-coated stub frame and bumper brackets probably are playing some role in preventing the bumper from having a good ground contact. Or the turn signal housing shell isin't making good contact with the bumper.

I would say that you could pull some bulbs and then re-test your radio to see if they're causing the noise but your flasher won't operate without the bulbs so ...

The few aftermarket car radios (from the 80's and 90's that I'm familiar with) came with inductors / chokes wired inline with the radio power feed.

 

[darth_linux]

I’m running LED bulbs for the brake light/turn signals. I’ve never tried the radio with incandescent bulbs, and I don’t plan on trying. Doesn’t seem to make any noise when the engine is off, only when it’s running. It might be ignition related after all. I’m pretty sure I have a condenser on the coil, but I will double check.

 

[Gerald Morris]

I’m running LED bulbs for the brake light/turn signals. I’ve never tried the radio with incandescent bulbs, and I don’t plan on trying. Doesn’t seem to make any noise when the engine is off, only when it’s running. It might be ignition related after all. I’m pretty sure I have a condenser on the coil, but I will double check.

Get a NEW condenser on that coil. Maybe get one of those 50 ohm resistors for the rear brake light circuit if the condenser doesn't filter the white noise sufficiently. LED "bulbs" use MOSFET ICs with them, and ALL FETs have some capacitance. These modern LED lights are a far cry from simple resistance loads. What sort of LED brake lights are you using? I've becvome a fan of the Auxito brand in the past couple years, which really shines bright, and seems to work well all around. Like you, I don't dig primitive Edison **** for my light, anywhere.

 

[darth_linux]

Get a NEW condenser on that coil. Maybe get one of those 50 ohm resistors for the rear brake light circuit if the condenser doesn't filter the white noise sufficiently. LED "bulbs" use MOSFET ICs with them, and ALL FETs have some capacitance. These modern LED lights are a far cry from simple resistance loads. What sort of LED brake lights are you using? I've becvome a fan of the Auxito brand in the past couple years, which really shines bright, and seems to work well all around. Like you, I don't dig primitive Edison **** for my light, anywhere.

I don’t recall the brand of LED that I’m using, but it was something from the jungle store. I will get a new condenser for the coil and look into a 50 ohm resistor as well. Thanks for your tips.

 

[darth_linux]

Get a NEW condenser on that coil. Maybe get one of those 50 ohm resistors for the rear brake light circuit if the condenser doesn't filter the white noise sufficiently. LED "bulbs" use MOSFET ICs with them, and ALL FETs have some capacitance. These modern LED lights are a far cry from simple resistance loads. What sort of LED brake lights are you using? I've becvome a fan of the Auxito brand in the past couple years, which really shines bright, and seems to work well all around. Like you, I don't dig primitive Edison **** for my light, anywhere.

I bought KAKEMONO brand LEDs from Amazon, fwiw. They've worked great with no issues. Very bright!

 

[Gerald Morris]

I bought KAKEMONO brand LEDs from Amazon, fwiw. They've worked great with no issues. Very bright!

Kakemono eh? Hmm, that MIGHT even be a Japanese company. Good to know. My own ride has electrical noise, from the venerable Kettering ignition system. Fortunately, the main use I have for tunes in the ride is when not rolling.

 

[darth_linux]

Kakemono eh? Hmm, that MIGHT even be a Japanese company. Good to know. My own ride has electrical noise, from the venerable Kettering ignition system. Fortunately, the main use I have for tunes in the ride is when not rolling.

Yes, the name follows the Japanese convention of CVCV. I only listen to NPR in the car, but I am getting tired of missing parts of the story every time I apply the brakes or turn signals. I’m not having much luck finding a NEW capacitor for the coil either :-( …

 

[Gerald Morris]

Try these: Pardon Our Interruption...

Pardon Our Interruption...

1966 - 1970 Chevelle and Nova Ignition Coil Radio Capacitor, Noise Filter

You might even try building a bandpass filter out of stock electronic parts. That last link is new stuff. Bastards are charging 10x the cost, if not more.