OEM AM Radio noise

trussell

New member
My 98 Mk VIII just recently started to have weak reception on the AM band only. FM still works great. It is factory original. Has anyone had such a problem? Is there a seperate antenna connection for the AM side?

Thanks for any help.

Tony Russell
98MRK8
62,000
Candy Apple Red::p
 

Trixie

Moderator
I had reception problems at one time when I would have my rear defroster on. But IIRC that was probably FM reception. And the repair was to have the dealer replace the entire back window (under warranty).
 

steve

With "LOD" Since 1997
Article No.
97-18-4 RADIO - AM BAND - STATIC WHILE DRIVING

Publication Date: SEPTEMBER 2, 1997

FORD: 1993-97 THUNDERBIRD
1993-98 TAURUS
LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1993-97 COUGAR
1993-98 CONTINENTAL, MARK VIII, SABLE


This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to update the model years.

ISSUE:
Some vehicles may experience static in the AM band of the radio while driving. This may be caused by isolation between the wheel bearing and the chassis which allows static electricity to build up in the wheel bearings. This static electricity creates an interference with the radio on the AM bands.

ACTION:
Install a wheel bearing static collector and new hub cap grease seal to the non-drive wheels which will allow the static electricity to be discharged through the vehicle's chassis.
 

Frankie X

New member
I've never actually had to perform this TSB myself, but techs who have swear by it.

Steve, I'm not sure where you got this information, but the most crucial part is left out - the required part numbers.
Here they are:
F3DZ-1N135-A - the revised front wheel hub grease caps (X 2)
F4PZ-18938-A - the static collectors that go onto the front hubs (X 2)
There's no instructions with these parts, but when you have them in your hands, they're pretty self-explanatory.

Tony, if your reception issue is static, understand where it's coming from. It's created by the movement of the tires on the ground, which builds a charge that cannot be released back because the tires themselves are such good insulators. This may seem to be a paradox, but there you go...
Have you ever gotten out of a car and received a shock from it when your foot makes contact with the ground?
Have you ever gotten a shock when making contact with a toll machine, or even worse, a tollbooth attendant?
That's the build-up discharging.

Some brands and tread patterns of tires are more prone to create static than others. All Season Michelins, for example, are notorious for this.
Have you changed tires recently?
Are any of your tires down to the wear bars? This seems to make it worse.

Here's an alternate theory:
How does your car run? If any of your COP coils or coil boots are allowing spark to arc to ground inside the spark plug wells, boy! will you hear it through AM.
 

M Darrah

New member
In my case, it was the neon light that caused a lot of static on AM. But with that, it was easy to tell because I would hear a high pitched whine whenever I applied the brakes. Once I replaced the neon, the noise went away. FM was fine either way.

Probably not your problem, but I thought I'd throw it out there just in case.
 

tjernagel

New member
I just picked up a 1998 Ivory Pearl Mark with 35k on it for $8,000.00. My daughter killed my 1997 T-bird, so it was time to upgrade. I've always liked the Mark VIII's. It doesn't have the sunroof or heated seats, but that's a'ok with me. I never used the sunroof in the T-bird.

I too have AM radio reception noise. My noise is always there when the lights are on. If I apply the brake, the noise instantly goes away. The only troubleshooting I have done so far is to check the alternator. With the engine running, I disconnected the voltage regulator on the alternator; the noise did not go away.

It is the OEM AM/FM/CD player with no modifications.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!
 

tjernagel

New member
I found this on my problem today. Don't know if it will help you or not, but...

I took the rear light apart today. The ground was located just under the rear trunk cover. My ground was fine but... when I removed the light assembly I found a second ground attached to the ballast for the rear light. This ground had never been completely screwed down and was very rusted. This screw held the ground for the ballast as well as a “wire mess”.

I’m not sure what the wire mess is for. I removed the screw, cleaned everything up and reinstalled it. I’m hoping this was my problem. I also noticed that since the screw had never before been completely tightened, it was rubbing a hole in the trunk where it was hitting the trunk lid.

I’ll find out in the next week or so if this was my problem. Hopefully it is!
 
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