FM Radio static when car is started

[mikeburns]

Hi there

Have just installed a pioneer head unit into an old toyota carona (86). The wiring that came installed did not include an ignition switch so the head unit is powered directly off the battery power supply (no switch).

My problem is this: The fm tuner works fine when the car is turned off but when the ignition is started I begin to get static on the radio (which was crystal clear before car was started). It doesnt seem to vary with revs or anything. Its just there all the time. You can still hear the radio but its quite bad reception.

I have checked the antenna connection to the head unit and that is fine.

Any ideas how i can fix this?

Thanks very much

Mike

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[DBBOOM 10+ year member]

Plug wires.

 

[mikeburns]

sorry not sure what you mean? the wires are just standard ones, attached with electrical tape to insulate...

 

[Boris 10+ year member]

Your spark plug wires.

How old are they ?

 

[blackman 10+ year member]

repost.....search the forums //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[mikeburns]

spark plug wires are fairly new, prob no more than 8 months, doing a search now.

Also I might add that it seems as though the static has gotten worse in the last few weeks, especially radio stations that do not have huge transmitters. Other stations are not as staticcy (if thats a word) but there is still a low hum. It is a really old car so im wondering if its the antenna?

 

[Cabin_Pressure 10+ year member]

Some plug wires do not have good radio suppression, make sure you have a quality set. Also, i try to keep mine away from all metal surfaces of the engine. You can check to see if your distributor has a RFI capacitor in/on it. (it looks like a battery with a wire coming out of it) Some older cars have them, i've replaced them before and cleared up static. Make sure all grounds are attached well and to a clean/unpainted/no rust surface.