Radio reception

[Brockdog12]

I saw this one older models threads, but not the newer models, I have a 22 ST-Line and up until a couple of weeks ago, the radio reception was great, now it is unlistenable. In the morning, FM is just hiss like the station is off the air and most AM stations sounds like a Blackhawk helicopter. In the afternoons things improve, a little. Only one AM station comes through morning and afternoon. Satellite radio is perfect. Anyone else had radio issues? Thanks!

 

[peterk9]

Do you have anything saved to a USB drive that you could try playing to see how that sounds? Have you checked the antenna?

Peter

 

[Sea_Ray]

I saw this one older models threads, but not the newer models, I have a 22 ST-Line and up until a couple of weeks ago, the radio reception was great, now it is unlistenable. In the morning, FM is just hiss like the station is off the air and most AM stations sounds like a Blackhawk helicopter. In the afternoons things improve, a little. Only one AM station comes through morning and afternoon. Satellite radio is perfect. Anyone else had radio issues? Thanks!

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Non-Hybrid - Radio Static And/Or Poor Radio Sound Quality When Moving22-2040
14 March 2022
Model:

Ford 2020-2022 Explorer	Non-hybrid
Lincoln 2020-2022 Aviator	Non-hybrid

Issue: Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator non-hybrid vehicles may exhibit radio static and/or poor radio sound quality when moving. This may be more noticeable on AM radio stations. This may be caused by an electromagnetic interference concern. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to install new grounds on the rear knuckle.

Action: Follow the Service Procedure to correct the condition on vehicles that meet all of the following criteria:

• 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator non-hybrid vehicles
• Radio static and/or poor radio sound quality when moving

Parts

Service Part Number	Quantity	Description	Unit of Issue	Piece Quantity
L1MZ-14A411-N​	2​	Ground Strap Jumper Harness	1​	2​

Quantity refers to the amount of the service part number required to repair the vehicle.

Unit of Issue refers to the number of individual pieces included in a service part number package.

Piece Quantity refers to the total number of individual pieces required to repair the vehicle.



Warranty Status: Eligible under provisions of New Vehicle Limited Warranty (NVLW)/Service Part Warranty (SPW)/Special Service Part (SSP)/Extended Service Plan (ESP) coverage. Limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. NVLW/SPW/SSP/ESP coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.

Labor Times

Description	Operation No.	Time
2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator: Install Ground Straps Following The Service Procedure (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)	222040A​	0.4 Hrs.​

Repair/Claim Coding

Causal Part:	14A411
Condition Code:	x1

Service Procedure

1. Install new ground straps on each side of the vehicle on top of the brake hose bracket bolt on the rear knuckle. Tighten to 133 lb-in (15 Nm). Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 204-02. (Figures 1-2)

Figure 1

Figure 2

2. Install the other side of the ground straps underneath the rear wheel speed sensor harness bracket mounting stud. Tighten to 62 lb-in (7 Nm). Refer to WSM, Section 206-09. (Figures 1-2)

---

© 2022 Ford Motor Company

All rights reserved.

NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford or Lincoln dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article. The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supersede this information with updates. The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.

 

[Brockdog12]

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Non-Hybrid - Radio Static And/Or Poor Radio Sound Quality When Moving22-2040
14 March 2022
Model:

Ford 2020-2022 Explorer	Non-hybrid
Lincoln 2020-2022 Aviator	Non-hybrid

Issue: Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator non-hybrid vehicles may exhibit radio static and/or poor radio sound quality when moving. This may be more noticeable on AM radio stations. This may be caused by an electromagnetic interference concern. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to install new grounds on the rear knuckle.

Action: Follow the Service Procedure to correct the condition on vehicles that meet all of the following criteria:








Parts

Service Part Number	Quantity	Description	Unit of Issue	Piece Quantity
L1MZ-14A411-N​	2​	Ground Strap Jumper Harness	1​	2​

Quantity refers to the amount of the service part number required to repair the vehicle.

Unit of Issue refers to the number of individual pieces included in a service part number package.

Piece Quantity refers to the total number of individual pieces required to repair the vehicle.



Warranty Status: Eligible under provisions of New Vehicle Limited Warranty (NVLW)/Service Part Warranty (SPW)/Special Service Part (SSP)/Extended Service Plan (ESP) coverage. Limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. NVLW/SPW/SSP/ESP coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.

Labor Times

Description	Operation No.	Time
2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator: Install Ground Straps Following The Service Procedure (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)	222040A​	0.4 Hrs.​

Repair/Claim Coding

Causal Part:	14A411
Condition Code:	x1

Service Procedure

1. Install new ground straps on each side of the vehicle on top of the brake hose bracket bolt on the rear knuckle. Tighten to 133 lb-in (15 Nm). Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 204-02. (Figures 1-2)

Figure 1

Figure 2

2. Install the other side of the ground straps underneath the rear wheel speed sensor harness bracket mounting stud. Tighten to 62 lb-in (7 Nm). Refer to WSM, Section 206-09. (Figures 1-2)

---

© 2022 Ford Motor Company

All rights reserved.

NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford or Lincoln dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article. The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supersede this information with updates. The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.

Thanks for posting this. Mine is a couple of station totally gone in the morning, AM and FM, working in the afternoon. Other stations work great no matter the time of day. The weak station were never weak in the past. possible they share a transmitter site and it is being worked on, not sure. I'll have the dealer check it out while it is in.

 

[Brockdog12]

Took the Explorer in for warranty work last evening, dealer gave me a 23 Edge ST-Line loaner. Radio in the Edge this monring was perfect, AM or FM, didn't matter, both were crystal clear. Having a few other things done, should get it back in a couple of weeks.

 

[Brockdog12]

Got the Explorer back, paint issues taken care of, rear HVAC controls installed, hood aligned, steering wheel on order, radio reception still sucks.

UPDATE: Got the Explorer back again yesterday for some warranty work, tried the stereo this morning, reception bad, but I sat there a minute and tried to figure out why is it bad in the morning and not later in the day...I shut the headlights off, they are set to auto, stereo reception improves 1000%, turn the lights back on, reception goes to total crap. This issue started a month or two ago, this didn't exist when I bought it. I have not done any mods to the vehicle.

 

[Brockdog12]

Radio reception problem, FIXED! The problem was man made, my fault. I forgot I had replaced the license plate bulbs with led bulbs, doing some testing in the driveway last evening and internet searching on led bulb interference, I wondered why my stereo reception sucked only in the morning, duh, the lights were on, radio worked great in the afternoon. I turned the lights on and off last evening and recreated the issue, then it daened on me, the license plate bulbs dummy, nah, couldn't be that simple, swapped back to regular bulbs, radio reception issue gone. I have not had an issue like this in the past with my other vehicles so it was easy to dismiss it. All good now, I can enjoy the Explorer.

 

[Sea_Ray]

Some led bulbs in garage door openers will generate so much noise the remote won't work when trying to close after pulling out but woks fine to open 200' away because the lights are off

 

[peterk9]

Radio reception problem, FIXED! The problem was man made, my fault. I forgot I had replaced the license plate bulbs with led bulbs, doing some testing in the driveway last evening and internet searching on led bulb interference, I wondered why my stereo reception sucked only in the morning, duh, the lights were on, radio worked great in the afternoon. I turned the lights on and off last evening and recreated the issue, then it daened on me, the license plate bulbs dummy, nah, couldn't be that simple, swapped back to regular bulbs, radio reception issue gone. I have not had an issue like this in the past with my other vehicles so it was easy to dismiss it. All good now, I can enjoy the Explorer.

Not disputing the findings but given all the LED lights already in the vehicle, it seems strange that this happens.
Here is a post from a 2020 owner who also successfully changed his license plate lights to LED without any issues.

2020 LED Upgrades - Links Added

EDIT: See Post #10 below for links to the bulbs I used and additional comments According to the owners manual, the 2020 Explorer has all-LED lighting in the front, sides and interior. In fact, there are only 3 incandescents listed: license plate, rear turn signals and backup lamps. I did LED...

www.explorerforum.com

Peter

 

[Sea_Ray]

Not disputing the findings but given all the LED lights already in the vehicle, it seems strange that this happens.
Here is a post from a 2020 owner who also successfully changed his license plate lights to LED without any issues.

2020 LED Upgrades - Links Added

EDIT: See Post #10 below for links to the bulbs I used and additional comments According to the owners manual, the 2020 Explorer has all-LED lighting in the front, sides and interior. In fact, there are only 3 incandescents listed: license plate, rear turn signals and backup lamps. I did LED...

www.explorerforum.com

Peter

LED isn't the problem... it's support circuit is ...LED unlike incondesent requires a voltage regulator this cicuit can generate noise when it is made without filtering to lower cost.

 

[Brockdog12]

I used a different brand of led bulb I had not used in all the other vehicles I had done this too and they were fine, that's why I didn't give it a second thought. I'll try the same bulbs I've used in my other vehicles to see if the problem stays away. Of all the led bulbs I've installed this is the first issue I've had. Lesson learned.