Radio turns to static when I turn the headlights on - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Chilly178 · 07-08-2018, 09:29 PM

Just like the title says, every time I turn my headlights on my radio instantly turns to static. If I pull the headlight switch one notch to turn just my side markers on the radio does not turn to static, so it only happens when my headlights are actually on. I checked all my grounds and they all look somewhat decent. I have a new retro sound radio, new kick panel speakers, and a new antenna from classic industries, it did the same thing with my old radio as well. I also have some nice led headlights from octane lighting. And yes I have the antenna plugged into the radio. Any ideas? I'm wondering if I should add some grounds or something. It sucks because I can't really listen to the radio if i'm driving at night. Thanks.

jjzepplin · 07-09-2018, 07:46 AM

What type of distributor do you have?

bill3rail · 07-09-2018, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chilly178

I checked all my grounds and they all look somewhat decent.
I'm wondering if I should add some grounds or something. It sucks because I can't really listen to the radio if i'm driving at night. Thanks.

If you suspect a ground issue, definitely remove, clean and reattach all grounds. Then add extra grounds! You cannot over ground something.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chilly178

It did the same thing with my old radio as well.
I also have some nice led headlights from octane lighting.
Thanks.

Just a thought, did your old radio have static with incandescent headlights?

Bill

JustToxic · 07-09-2018, 08:11 AM

New LED headlights produce FM static, and that interferes with your radio. You'll need to get some Ferrite bead choke, or RFI noise filter. You put those around the cable by the headlight plug. You'll have to do some research to find out what ones you'll need for your application. I put LED headlights in my '02 Silverado and my wife's '06 Avalon and needed to put those on both vehicle.

Chilly178 · 07-09-2018, 08:33 PM

Thanks! It was driving me insane, literally! I will definitely have to look into it. My distributor is a new HEI Ac Delco.

**chewychevy67** · 03-12-2019, 11:16 AM

Did you get the static fixed? I just bought some led lights from octane lighting and if this issue comes up would be nice to know what you did.

Chilly178 · 03-12-2019, 11:25 AM

I did not. I bought some of those ferrite beads and put them all over and didn't do anything for me. Wonder if anyone else has any other ideas?
.

**chewychevy67** · 03-12-2019, 02:59 PM

Wow. Wish I read this before I bought them. Probably would have passed on them.

beaterku · 03-12-2019, 03:59 PM

Retro sound radios are very finicky about grounds. Make sure you have an excellent ground for the radio. I chased a problem with the left rotatory shaft for months. Ended up being a grounding issue.

hjewell2 · 03-12-2019, 06:25 PM

I did a Led lighting conversion in my barn with ballast bypass, and my stereo in the barn has static when the lights are off radio is clear. Its a light hum static as if the station is fading out. The lights are mounted at 8ft high and radio is about 4ft off floor. Noticed it as soon as i did the conversion and during the conversion after the 2nd light fixture was converted. really makes me mad.

Chilly178 · 04-27-2021, 12:01 AM

Not sure if anyone cares but I got the radio static fixed a few years ago and never posted. Tried the beads and they did not work at all... I bought a pair of these and it took care of the problem. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078X1J1MC?psc=1

07-08-2018, 09:29 PM	#1
Chilly178 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 135	Radio turns to static when I turn the headlights on Just like the title says, every time I turn my headlights on my radio instantly turns to static. If I pull the headlight switch one notch to turn just my side markers on the radio does not turn to static, so it only happens when my headlights are actually on. I checked all my grounds and they all look somewhat decent. I have a new retro sound radio, new kick panel speakers, and a new antenna from classic industries, it did the same thing with my old radio as well. I also have some nice led headlights from octane lighting. And yes I have the antenna plugged into the radio. Any ideas? I'm wondering if I should add some grounds or something. It sucks because I can't really listen to the radio if i'm driving at night. Thanks.

07-09-2018, 07:46 AM	#2
jjzepplin Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ruskin Florida Posts: 4,567	Re: Radio turns to static when I turn the headlights on What type of distributor do you have? __________________ 70 swb 4x4 406sbc 700r4 203/205 d60/14blt locker yadda yadda http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...88#post6935688 Yeller 72 Blazer 2wd conversion project "No Daggum Money" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=550804 LS1-T56 3.73 LSD super budget build Blanco-2014 Sierra SWB https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810350

07-09-2018, 08:11 AM	#4
JustToxic Registered User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Elkhart, Indiana Posts: 292	Re: Radio turns to static when I turn the headlights on New LED headlights produce FM static, and that interferes with your radio. You'll need to get some Ferrite bead choke, or RFI noise filter. You put those around the cable by the headlight plug. You'll have to do some research to find out what ones you'll need for your application. I put LED headlights in my '02 Silverado and my wife's '06 Avalon and needed to put those on both vehicle. __________________ 1967 Chevy C20 to K20 Conversion "Simply Toxic" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=749409 1971 Chevy C20 Custom Camper LS Swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=763775

07-09-2018, 08:33 PM	#5
Chilly178 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 135	Re: Radio turns to static when I turn the headlights on Thanks! It was driving me insane, literally! I will definitely have to look into it. My distributor is a new HEI Ac Delco.

03-12-2019, 11:16 AM	#6
chewychevy67 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Here Posts: 5,557	Re: Radio turns to static when I turn the headlights on Did you get the static fixed? I just bought some led lights from octane lighting and if this issue comes up would be nice to know what you did.

03-12-2019, 11:25 AM	#7
Chilly178 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 135	Re: Radio turns to static when I turn the headlights on I did not. I bought some of those ferrite beads and put them all over and didn't do anything for me. Wonder if anyone else has any other ideas? .

03-12-2019, 02:59 PM	#8
chewychevy67 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Here Posts: 5,557	Re: Radio turns to static when I turn the headlights on Wow. Wish I read this before I bought them. Probably would have passed on them.

03-12-2019, 03:59 PM	#9
beaterku Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Lenexa, KS Posts: 547	Re: Radio turns to static when I turn the headlights on Retro sound radios are very finicky about grounds. Make sure you have an excellent ground for the radio. I chased a problem with the left rotatory shaft for months. Ended up being a grounding issue. __________________ www.rustywrenches.com My 72 SWB build My YouTube channel

03-12-2019, 06:25 PM	#10
hjewell2 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: mich Posts: 655	Re: Radio turns to static when I turn the headlights on I did a Led lighting conversion in my barn with ballast bypass, and my stereo in the barn has static when the lights are off radio is clear. Its a light hum static as if the station is fading out. The lights are mounted at 8ft high and radio is about 4ft off floor. Noticed it as soon as i did the conversion and during the conversion after the 2nd light fixture was converted. really makes me mad.

04-27-2021, 12:01 AM	#11
Chilly178 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 135	Re: Radio turns to static when I turn the headlights on Not sure if anyone cares but I got the radio static fixed a few years ago and never posted. Tried the beads and they did not work at all... I bought a pair of these and it took care of the problem. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078X1J1MC?psc=1



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