2001 Monte Carlo SS 3.8L

This is really starting to bug me....

The radio works perfectly if I'm sitting in the drive but it seems that when I put it in "gear" it starts to get static in the channels. I've taken apart the dash to see if the antennae is connected all the way and it appears to be. I've checked all the connections that I can get to behind the radio and they seem fine. Its an aftermarket Kenwood with a GM antennae adapter. I'm not sure where to look next? Any suggestions?

 

Not knowing how old your kenwood is.... I would recommend putting an inline noise condenser. You can get them at most any radio shops...
That should reduce/eliminate that sound...

 

Its a Kenwood 248U that was in the car when I bought it. I think its about 3 years old? Not really sure though. I had a Pioneer that I accidentally blew up when I took it out of my '96 Olds that I wanted to use but this Kenwood was in there so I didn't bother replacing it. But the sound is horrible as soon as I start driving--sitting still and its perfect--start driving and its horrible.

How does an inline noise condenser work? I'm not familiar with how that hooks in or anything? Or what it does?

 

Its also known as a noise blanker...
Ever been on the phone and the person your talking with has a bunch of noise in the background that just about drowns out your conversation?

They make whats called a noise canceling condenser... That blocks out the background noises... like a noise cancelling microphone... (CB radios use this technology)

In other words it cancels out all the background noise...

It hooks in line with the "power" lead for the radio thus eliminateing that annoying buzzing sound.

Maybe ... try changing where you have the power lead hooked to maybe hook it to the fuse box at the accessory pole?

 

OK thanks I'll take another look at it----just as soon as this weather clears. LOL

Michigan sucks right now!!!!

 

OK this is strange....

I had my nephew resolder the rear defogger since it was damaged and broken off when whoever decided they were going to scrape off the factory tint scraped it off.

So he resoldered that and now the damn radio works perfectly with no static or engine noise? LOL This car is very strange its like I'll have one problem and fix it and it corrects another problem? How would fixing the rear defogger correct the reception of the radio?

 

It probably reconnected a positive ground as a lot of things are hooked up via a series connection...

Sorta like Xmas lights are all hooked up in a series.. pull 1 bulb out and the whole thing quits...lol

Glad that the noise is gone!

Happy to help anytime!

 

The radio and rear defogger run in parallel. As well as have a connection between the antenna and the rear defogger grid. The grid if connected improperly can create static on radio reception, also if you shorted the grid to the ground it will pull all the current ( and beacuse in a parallel circuit voltage is common and current is divided) you would have a 12V reading at the radio and insufficient current to power it. Also if the grid was only partial concerned you would get a high current draw due to high resistance and this would also play hell with the radio.

 

Ah very interesting I thought it looked like the antenna was maybe "linked" in with the defogger grid after I looked at it closer when the radio started working.

I was a little disappointed after having the rear defogger resoldered. It appears that when the dude scraped off the tint or whoever did it they actually dug into the defogger "grid" and consequently now I only have one single line across all three panels that actually defrosts. My nephew said if it was just one tiny piece he could probably drop some solder in and make the connection again but its multiple places where they dug into the grid. So I guess short of getting a new back window (not gonna happen) I'll have to live without it.

 

Actually there is a conductive paint type substance you can use to fix the grid. You tape along and fix the grid. Look up "rear defroster radio fix" or something like that. Its on the mcf somewhere. I found it when I was looking for my rear defroster/radio troubles.