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Old 10-09-2020, 02:55 PM   #1
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HID Headlights causing radio interference

I have installed the Vantage Optics HID retrofit headlights and now when I turn them on my radio reception goes to heck. Turn headlights off and all is good. Anybody else experience this or have ideas on how to alleviate the problem?

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Old 10-09-2020, 08:05 PM   #2
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Like FM/AM radio? People still use that?
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Old 10-09-2020, 10:15 PM   #3
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Heh... yep
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Old 10-09-2020, 11:09 PM   #4
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I have the same problem with my current led headlights, but not with any of my previous hid or led headlights. For some reason, the problem goes away when high beams are on (my low beams stay on with high beam.) I searched the interwebs for a solution and bought a bag full of clip-on ferrite rings/beads, which were the #1 thing I found as a "fix".... no change.

I've seen "anti flicker harness" advertised as a cure for flickering led's (but many people have reported that it fixes the radio problem) on newer Jeeps, but I have not tried it myself.
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Old 10-10-2020, 06:03 AM   #5
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Have you reach out for Scott at Vantage? I believe he also has a resistor he sells as a option - clears up some of the issues that develop occasionally...have no idea if it would help in this scenario.
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Old 10-15-2020, 10:15 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigriver View Post
I have installed the Vantage Optics HID retrofit headlights and now when I turn them on my radio reception goes to heck. Turn headlights off and all is good. Anybody else experience this or have ideas on how to alleviate the problem?
You need to Add a Good RF Filter.. the whine you hear is RF from the Alternator caused by the HID lights Firing Circuit.



https://forums.radioreference.com/th...erence.280713/


https://forums.swedespeed.com/showth...o-interference
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Old 10-15-2020, 10:34 AM   #7
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You might also check your ground connections very closely...Perhaps check continuity, take apart and re-mate, in addition to the rf filter..... This includes the alternator and engine grounding.
When you state "goes to heck" people are assuming whine...but your description is not clear, unless I missed it.
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Old 10-15-2020, 10:36 AM   #8
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Yep, led lights interfere with radios. Same thing happens in my house.
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Old 10-15-2020, 11:05 AM   #9
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As mentioned above you should look into relocating the grounds and making sure they are properly done. I have not had this issue with any of the ones I have personally installed. I recommend using the factory ground studs on both sides of the body on the engine side of the core support.

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Old 10-15-2020, 11:09 AM   #10
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The previous replies are all essentially correct, but ferrite beads/toroids aren't always a good solution, and in some cases, there may be better ways to attack this problem.

I deal with this kind of stuff for work, and I think the first question that should be asked is: "Is it your AM reception, your FM reception, or both, that are being affected?" Since these are two widely separated frequency bands (0.54-1.60 MHz vs. 88.00-108.00 MHz), the answer to this question may help to steer you in the direction of an optimal solution.

Assuming that the interference is being radiated from your new HID headlights, or maybe (more likely) from the wires leading to the headlights, and is getting to your radio via your radio's antenna, it may be possible to select a ferrite bead or toroid, or possibly some other type of Electro-Magnetic Interference or Radio-Frequency Interference (EMI/RFI) filter that will help, but you would still need to pick one that covers the frequency band(s) being affected. Using just a little bit of science usually has a better batting average than guessing does, in cases like this.

However, there are also other paths by which interference can mess with the audio systems in your car. For example, the interference could also be getting into your AM/FM radio receiver through the wires that supply 12V power to the radio itself, and there's even a remote possibility of a few other methods of coupling that would affect the audio amplifier and speakers themselves.

A little more information would be helpful here. Were these a direct swap for your OEM lights, or was some additional re-wiring required? Where is your radio antenna located with respect to the headlights? Are you possibly using the radio/T.V. antenna built into the Pop-Top penthouse of an SMB? Anything else you can think of that might be helpful?

Sometimes the solution to problems like this are multi-pronged, i.e. a "Belt, Suspenders, AND Duct Tape" kind of solution. I'll watch this thread for future developments. Otherwise, you can PM me with boring technical questions and answers, and I'll try to help you out, if I can.

Best of Luck!
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