KKruser

I've got a '98 C5 Coupe that has static on the AM Radio band. The frequency of the static varies with engine speed and sometimes when the power windows are activated additional static can be heard. Driving by power lines makes it worse.

The dealer says that they can find nothing wrong, although they acknowledge the problem. It's out of warranty.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

jsdanehy

Lets define terms. STATIC : comes from lightning strikes and atmospheric conditions. ALTERNATOR WHINE : comes from the AC 's(alternating current) field being intercepted by the radio. Both sensitive to frequency and thus you do not hear it (usually) in the FM band. No need to go there . . . .

You can't do anything about Mother Nature and lightning strikes. If there is "alternator whine" which can be heard on the AM band when you alter RPMs and can hear a change in the noise you can place FILTERS in the lines feeding the 12 volts operating voltage to the radio. You can usually get those at Radio Shack.

You should also make sure that all grounding of the radio is well done. You should remove the ground strap and clean it like you would clean the negative post on your battery.

I am not sure that a dealer would get this suggestion. But alternator WHINE can be a problem but at one time you had it right. . . . sounds like removal and reinstallation of the radio and making sure the ground is cleaned . . . the FILTER would also be advisable.

Tom/99

I had the same thing with the radio in my 1999 coupe. It was always like that since day one. The dealer offered to replace my radio with a rebuilt unit. I passed on that, I bought a new car not a rebuilt one, so I just left it as I just avoided the AM band. I am not having that problem with the 2004 coupe.

KKruser

Thanks for the info.

KKruser

sebringsilver97coupe

does my radio have AM? i know my dad had AM back when he was a kid but im not sure what to do with AM

molson

mine has the exact same problem!!!!
It's not so bad at a constant rpm,but the more gas you give the louder it gets.
I swapped the deck with an after market unit and swapped my wires to super conducters with no change.
I wonder if it could have something to do with the throttle by wire system causing the interference?

Let me know if you find a fix

Evil-Twin

Inside your alternator is a static capacitor.. it is not replaceable..
this capacitor is bad... the only fix is a new alternator..
it is possible you could find an alternator /generator rebuild shop.. they might be able to get you a new capacitor,.,.

stingray4me

Our radios have AM ???

Ls1Rat

what kind of spark plug wires do you have ?