Car Radio Interference on MW. Suppressor needed - tips please.

EMcG

Hello all,

when I try to listen to medium wave radio in my car (Ford Ka 2002) I get very bad interference when the engine is on. This only occurs on MW not FM or tape.

After doing a bit of research I bought an interference suppressor from Halfords which needs to be mounted on the alternator. However, I cannot fit it as to get to the alternator I'd have to remove the bumper and one of the wings of the car.

Do any suppressors exist that I could perhaps plug into the back of the stereo unit itself?

I have found this one online

http://www.in-car-stuff.com/shop/premium-ground-loop-isolator-p-167.html

Would it simply be a matter of removing the unite and plugging in the suppressor to the audio inputs/outputs?

Many thanks for any advice.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

I'd be more inclined to think you have a poor-quality aerial connection, or a poor quality earth between the radio and the chassis.

scbk

You sure you have to take the bumper and a wing off?!

Have you got a ford TIS disc? I had a quick glance at that and it suggests you might have to take a headlight out to access the alt on one of the ka engines

Here is a suppressor that goes onto the head unit power cable http://www.maplin.co.uk/free_uk_delivery/20A_DC_Noise_Suppressor_33180/20A_DC_Noise_Suppressor_33180.htm not sure if that would cure your problem though

EMcG

Thanks for the tips. I tried to access the alternator but it's impossible to get at. Just looking at the car makes it look like you'd have to remove quite a bit to get at it. But I was just guessing. Even if you only have to take the headlight out that's probably beyond me to be honest.

I was hoping that there was something I could plug into the back of the stereo unit to get rid of the interference.

Pew Pew - if, as you say, it were a poor-quality aerial connection, or a poor quality earth between the radio and the chassis, how would I go about rectifying that?

Thanks again.

scbk

Just to check, the MW reception is fine with the engine off?

Is your car a petrol or a diesel?

EMcG

Yes, fine when engine off. Interference when engine starts. FM fine whether engine on or off. Tape and MP3 input also fine all the time. The car is a petrol engine - 1300 - Ford Ka Style 2002.

mikey72

What's the noise, a whine increasing in pitch with the revs, or different?

EMcG

More like a hissing and crackling. But just on MW - nothing else.

mikey72

Probably not the alternator. Could be the ignition system. I don't know what you have fitted to your car, but it used to be a suppressor on the coil, suppressed plug leads, suppressor in the supply to the radio.
Now with coil packs, ecu's, etc, they tend to be suppressed already. How old is the radio, newer ones are better than older ones as well. FM is better than MW too.

EMcG

It's the Ford stereo that came with the car. The car is 7 years old. This is the stereo unit;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5000-rds-ford-ka_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a12Q7c66Q3a2Q7c39Q3a1Q7c72Q3a2136Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem4147a2af08QQitemZ280374718216QQptZUKQ5fAudioQ5fTVQ5fElectronicsQ5fInQ5fCarQ5fEntertainmentQ5fGPSQ5fInQ5fCarQ5fAudioQ5fPlayersQ5fPPQQsalenotsupported

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

EMcG wrote: »

Pew Pew - if, as you say, it were a poor-quality aerial connection, or a poor quality earth between the radio and the chassis, how would I go about rectifying that?

Thanks again.

Check the earth strap at the battery/chassis isn't corroded.