AM radio interference on 2004 ZTS

Without hearing it one is guessing but-

A whine is the alternator any other noise is the ignition system. There should be a radio noise suppressor on the coil pack, drivers side of engine. If the plug is not connected or the suppressor is bad and you will get noise from the ignition system. The other problem could be the resistor spark plugs or the spark plug leads. If the radio is not grounded properly or the engine/chassis ground is bad, can cause noise. The dealer is full of it and should be able to determine what is causing the interference, the stereo is a factory fit, is it not. Hope this helps.

I've heard that the antenna mount is too tight or not tight enough. Some dealers know about this. Ask yours to try harder or try another.

Thats what fixed my '00 ZX3, it's up under the dome light,(asuming the light is in the same place as the ZX3).

Whoa! Tell me more. I'm having serious AM interference. This is an '01 Wagon SE, US model.

I had it before, within the warranty period and they replaced the antenna wire and the radio. Now it's coming back. Only the AM band. What happened with your ZX3?

I had this problem pretty early on in my '01 ZX3. On AM only. I first noticed it as fading when going under underpasses and then getting all kinds of whistles and buzzes when putting my brakes/signals on. On weaker stations it was much worse but then did it some on 50 KW'ers too. All was quiet with the engine off, so that is the noise generator (electronics). I figured the ground of the antenna was bad and got into it. When I was done tightening the antenna cable screw, it was all quiet again. Then it would come back a few months later. Just like others who worked or had it worked on.

I thought it was a bad crimp to the center wire of the coax antenna cable so I soldered it (or was it the braid part, I forget now). Actually, I am not sure there is a ground up there, as the antenna base is plastic and nothing touches the metal car body (roof). The problem went away after soldering the crimp but lately it is back though not as bad. I do not yet have the whistles when I put the brakes/signals on. When that happens I will take it aaprt again.

I think that next I will put a star washer or 2 in between the screw, lug and antenna base to maintain better contact. At least I know the problem is in that area and not the cable or radio or power harness. If this fixes it for good I will post. If anyone else fixes it, please post your fix.

I guess it is either not that common a problem or few listen to AM! Gary

I had this problem pretty early on in my '01 ZX3. On AM only. I first noticed it as fading when going under underpasses and then getting all kinds of whistles and buzzes when putting my brakes/signals on. On weaker stations it was much worse but then did it some on 50 KW'ers too. All was quiet with the engine off, so that is the noise generator (electronics). I figured the ground of the antenna was bad and got into it. When I was done tightening the antenna cable screw, it was all quiet again. Then it would come back a few months later. Just like others who worked or had it worked on.

I thought it was a bad crimp to the center wire of the coax antenna cable so I soldered it (or was it the braid part, I forget now). Actually, I am not sure there is a ground up there, as the antenna base is plastic and nothing touches the metal car body (roof). The problem went away after soldering the crimp but lately it is back though not as bad. I do not yet have the whistles when I put the brakes/signals on. When that happens I will take it aaprt again.

I think that next I will put a star washer or 2 in between the screw, lug and antenna base to maintain better contact. At least I know the problem is in that area and not the cable or radio or power harness. If this fixes it for good I will post. If anyone else fixes it, please post your fix.

I guess it is either not that common a problem or few listen to AM! Gary

Same noises here too, wistles and buzzes wen hitting the signals and brakes, dealer showed me to remove the inside light, and mounting hardware, underthat is the bottom screw for the antenna mount, IIRC it's a T25, loosen it up, if you remove the screw the antenna will be compleatly disconnected and will fall, you will need 2 people to put back on, if you don't have a sun roof, the dealer just kept moving the wire/mount until the noise went away. I will have to get up and look to see what can be soldered myself and redo it again as it has started making noises again.