Xenons and radio interference

[M4KTT]

Has anyone ever had a problem with poor radio reception / signal when they switch their xenons on?

I've had the retrofit kit in for probably 24months, and when on start up(headlights) the radio reception is poor...it improves once the lamps have warmed up but still inst perfect until i switch them off...

hence why i listen to CDs alot... but now that the early mornings are dark I want to fix this fault...

I hear that earthing the ballasts solves the problem, but i thought I'd do a bit of research first on here...hopefully someone can shed a bit more light onto it before i start dismantling my car...so much for my mega tidy install hiding the ballast from sight!

 

[NHN]

When I fitted oem bixenon adaptives I had a similar issue, I resolved this by way of coding the car correctly & also upgrading the module 09 J519 to be able to handle the upgrade, once coded & changed over the noise went away immediately.

Yours would be best via an earth cable at 1st, test it temp by way of wire round units & touch on the chassis or earth point, be careful cause startup power can give a hell of a whack.

Why not source a set of oem's & fit?

 

[Garfie]

I'd also be interested in a fix for this. My radio reception in my Avant is pretty poor in the first place anyway, but when I turn on the HIDs its nearly non existant.

 

[NHN]

Are yours oem or aftermarket

 

[Garfie]

Are yours oem or aftermarket

Mine are aftermarket (big ballasts). They were fine in my Mk4 Golf, didn't cause any interference in that.

 

[NHN]

Could try shielding the ballasts from any surrounding wiring so it cant be picked up by anything, maybe its giving of an inductive field onto wires close to it that is ultimately affecting the cars radio system.

 

[Garfie]

It is possible that could help but no idea how to go about it.

I have been considering upgrading them to the newer slimline ballasts if people can report they don't get the interference with those.

 

[quattrojames]

I've had the retrofit kit in for probably 24months, and when on start up(headlights) the radio reception is poor...it improves once the lamps have warmed up but still inst perfect until i switch them off...

That exactly the problem I have too. I have the slimline ballast's so I dont think that idea would work sadly.

 

[iyrix]

That exactly the problem I have too. I have the slimline ballast's so I dont think that idea would work sadly.

I've now got this problem.. lol

Looks very normal with aftermarket xenons. I have an idea im going to work on, changing my backing plate from perspex to either a slim piece of wood or metal. I think the metal is more likely to conduct though?

Has anyone had a fix?

Cheers
Graham

 

[chrisash32]

just for the record, i have the same problem too....

 

[iyrix]

im going to work on this over the weekend. WIll let you know how i get on...

It will be really annoying if its not fixed during the winter!

 

[simon.m]

not sure if this is of any help but i no years ago you used to get a wine/buzzing on the stereo and you could just buy a reducer
from any good car shop to stop it im not 100% sure but i think you just cut into the live wier and but it inline with it job done.
so id think you can just do the same with the lights. try maplin or some where like halfords for the part just a thought guys.

 

[Mean_Grey_Machine]

Its called RFI or radio frequency interference. Earthing will definately help. As will sheilding the connections with any insulator.

 

[iyrix]

Does anyone know if the ballast's get hot? and are these the likely cause of the interference?