Rhythmic / pulsating static on AM radio only when moving

[waynesworldtx]

Thanks for the update @waynesworldtx

Since you've gone the Dealer Service Route, perhaps now's the time to find out who the regional service manager is and escalate the issue - just for the record so to speak?!?!

Good idea. Thanks.

 

[RickyG]

Good idea. Thanks.

get with your service manager at your dealership and have him set up an appointment with Chris Norton he is the Houston Regional Manager.

 

[fast_dave]

@RickyG - atta' boy for pulling that ACE outta' your deck and laying it on the table for @waynesworldtx

OK Wayne - you're almost there - don't forget to keep us updated on your progress

Good Luck!!!!!

 

[Spacey]

AM radio reception is notoriously susceptible to grounding and shielding problems. As an example I had an old Chevy SUV with fine radio reception in all bands. I added an XM Radio receiver via an FM channel injector by inserting it between the radio and the antenna coax. This created a really nasty noise injection on the AM radio if the XM receiver was off. Driving near power lines was just constant noise on AM. I could never improve it.

I would have your service technician look at the grounding of the radio head unit as well as the antenna module and harness between the two.

 

[waynesworldtx]

I use the Apple cable that came with my 8+. Something else is interfering with the AM signal and, as Forddealz observed, it occurs without a cable attached.

Same here with my 2020 Aviator. Pulsing static on AM stations happens anytime the vehicle is moving and there is no phone cord attached anywhere in the vehicle.

 

[waynesworldtx]

AM radio reception is notoriously susceptible to grounding and shielding problems. As an example I had an old Chevy SUV with fine radio reception in all bands. I added an XM Radio receiver via an FM channel injector by inserting it between the radio and the antenna coax. This created a really nasty noise injection on the AM radio if the XM receiver was off. Driving near power lines was just constant noise on AM. I could never improve it.

I would have your service technician look at the grounding of the radio head unit as well as the antenna module and harness between the two.

Thanks for that observation and suggestion. I do suspect it is a shielding/grounding problem of some sort.

 

[wfn1]

I don't have any chargers or cords in my Explorer, and I still experience the annoying, rhythmic, pulsating static that overwhelms AM radio broadcasts to the point of making them unlistenable.

I purchased a 2020 Lincoln Aviator Black label and currently have 3300 miles on it. It also has pulsating static on AM radio when in motion. It is most pronounced when I am anywhere near any type of power line, other vehicles, under viaducts etc. but it is always present and sometimes makes the radio indecipherable. No chargers or other electronics are in use. I turned off the cell phone to see if that made a difference. It had no impact. I have been to the dealer once regarding this issue and will be returning it again shortly to address this as well as air-conditioning issues as the driver side does not blow cool air even though the temperature settings are uniform for both the driver and passenger.

A second radio issue is that approximately every second or third time starting the car the various stations that have been saved will not be available to scan/change. The radio remains locked on the last station. I need to go into settings and reset the number of pages.

After having driven my MKT to almost 180,000 miles with no major problems this vehicle is a disappointment.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum.
I keep forgetting to try the AM on mine. I really never listen to it in the vehicle but do at home. Will have to see if I remember the next time.
BTW, I really love my Aviator.

Peter

 

[Exit32]

I purchased a 2020 Lincoln Aviator Black label and currently have 3300 miles on it. It also has pulsating static on AM radio when in motion. It is most pronounced when I am anywhere near any type of power line, other vehicles, under viaducts etc. but it is always present and sometimes makes the radio indecipherable. No chargers or other electronics are in use. I turned off the cell phone to see if that made a difference. It had no impact. I have been to the dealer once regarding this issue and will be returning it again shortly to address this as well as air-conditioning issues as the driver side does not blow cool air even though the temperature settings are uniform for both the driver and passenger.

A second radio issue is that approximately every second or third time starting the car the various stations that have been saved will not be available to scan/change. The radio remains locked on the last station. I need to go into settings and reset the number of pages.

After having driven my MKT to almost 180,000 miles with no major problems this vehicle is a disappointment.

Please let us know how your dealer resolves your Aviator's radio and A/C issues. I believe every 2020 Aviator and Explorer shares the annoying rhythmic-static-on-AM-radio issue.

BTW, I have edited the title of this thread to use the word "rhythmic" rather than "pulsating" because rhythmic is more descriptive of the problem.

 

[N3DD]

AM radio reception is notoriously susceptible to grounding and shielding problems. As an example I had an old Chevy SUV with fine radio reception in all bands. I added an XM Radio receiver via an FM channel injector by inserting it between the radio and the antenna coax. This created a really nasty noise injection on the AM radio if the XM receiver was off. Driving near power lines was just constant noise on AM. I could never improve it.

I would have your service technician look at the grounding of the radio head unit as well as the antenna module and harness between the two.

I agree. See my post #31. They should also look for the module that is creating the pulse to try and shield/ground it. I'm not confident that they will solve this one.

 

[wfn1]

I spoke with the dealer today. As an aside this dealer has always been professional and responsive. They commented that since I first raised the issue of the A.M. radio static they have since had five or six other Lincoln Aviator owners make the same complaint. They commented as well that Ford is aware of it and is investigating the issue. Should I have any additional updates I will certainly keep everyone apprised.

 

[waynesworldtx]

I spoke with the dealer today. As an aside this dealer has always been professional and responsive. They commented that since I first raised the issue of the A.M. radio static they have since had five or six other Lincoln Aviator owners make the same complaint. They commented as well that Ford is aware of it and is investigating the issue. Should I have any additional updates I will certainly keep everyone apprised.

Thanks very much for that update. I will be taking mine in for oil change soon and will talk to the service manager about it again. Hopefully, if enough of us complain, Ford will get with the dealers with a fix.

 

[peterk9]

I finally remembered to try the AM today and did not experience any of the issues mentioned here.

Peter

 

[Exit32]

I finally remembered to try the AM today and did not experience any of the issues mentioned here.

Peter

Did you try several AM radio stations, Peter? If you tune to a local, powerful AM station, I believe the transmitter's strong signal can mask the rhythmic static reported in this thread. I notice the static most when trying to listen to a small, 5,000-watt transmitter located about 15-20 miles away.

Of course, your Aviator has to be moving to create the static. But I'm sure you know that.

 

[peterk9]

Did you try several AM radio stations, Peter? If you tune to a local, powerful AM station, I believe the transmitter's strong signal can mask the rhythmic static reported in this thread. I notice the static most when trying to listen to a small, 5,000-watt transmitter located about 15-20 miles away.

Of course, your Aviator has to be moving to create the static. But I'm sure you know that.

I just had it on one AM station and it had just a little noise on it because I was in the fringe area of the transmitter but the signal was constant and did not vary as in pulsing. Yes, I was driving. I would think static might be considered normal in your case but a rhythmic pulse would not.

Peter

 

[wfn1]

I am uncertain about other drivers but in my situation the static is uniform across the entire AM radio spectrum whether listening to local low power stations or 50,000 watt stations located here in the metro Detroit area. It is heard whether on the freeway or on suburban roads. It is less pronounced on rural roads but still existent. As mentioned, the dealer has commented that is is an increasing complaint.

 

[Dale5403]

Just tried the AM radio for the first time today. No change in the sound whether moving or stopped.

 

[Fordbilt]

I realize that I'm probably the only one here who listens to AM radio, but there's a local oldies station I tune into once in a while. Problem is, my Explorer's AM radio generates loud, pulsating static noise to the point where all I can hear is the pulsating static.

The weird thing is this only happens when my Explorer is moving. If I'm stopped at a traffic light or stop sign, the AM radio signal is crystal clear -- until I start moving again.

I've paid attention to nearby power lines and utility cables, and the pulsating static does not seem to come from those. Rather, it appears that something within the Explorer generates this AM interference, but only when the vehicle is moving.

Before I take my Explorer back to the dealership, I'd like to know if other 2020 Explorer owners have experienced this AM radio issue and determined the cause of the annoying pulsating static. Thanks!

 

[KKRISKAL]

Made me think of the metal shielding that was put on early Corvette ignition
distributor caps and spark plug wires before the invention of FM (frequency modulation)
because of their fiberglass bodies.

I'm pretty sure aluminum body panels aren't being used in the new generation Explorer,
is the hood and/or firewall/subframe aluminum?

Shame one would have to place a Faraday Shield between the engine/ultrasonic sensors
and AM receiver. Not around the AM receiver.

The Hood And the Liftgate are both Aluminum.

 

[peterk9]

The Hood And the Liftgate are both Aluminum.

I think if you test the liftgate with a magnet you will find it is not aluminum. The one on my Aviator isn't and the 5th gen liftgate wasn't either. FYI, the member you quoted was last seen here a year ago. Might not still be following the thread.

Peter