Thread: HIDS interfering with radio

so I just noticed this a couple weeks ago (have had HIDs for months) but now that I live far from most radio stations that it causes some static, this has become apparent. When I turn my HIDs on the radio turns to almost full static and when they're off it's completely fine. What's happening?

Do you have an aftermarket deck?

nope

find better grounds for the lights.

pretty much the issue. if you're not using a relay harness, use one. otherwise, ground them in a better spot.

where should I ground them?

radiator support/fender bolt. take a bolt out sand it down to metal, reassemble.

some where that there's no paint. you need bare metal for a solid ground.

or take them off and sand where they are now, till bare metal. bolt them back up.

also make sure your ground straps are in place by the battery to body. they keep the whole car grounded, its just a wire, nothing like a battery cable.

and of course double check all of the wiring from the install. and then last but not least take them off and put back the stock lights, and see if the problem goes away. for all you know its still there and your chasing a bad FM signal.


XM rules btw. ive had it for like 7 years now, cant live with out it now.

could it be because of my overkill pcm? seemed to happen around the same time

i dont think the tune has nothing to do with it.

popping them out and going back stock cant hurt for a while, just to see it its still there, you also moved out of range some you said.

dont know if I still have my stock bulbs, gotta go digging or they might be at home (at uni now). Back home (Toronto) I noticed that stations in hamilton region that I used to get became static but toronto stations were fine, now in Waterloo everything is static if I have my HIDs on.

in that case check the wiring over and the grounds. they must be related.

i would think if you just unplug them and turn on the lights, and radio, see if it clears up any like that.

even with out the bulbs that should narrow it down to the hid's. or not.