Radio Signal

[jdross440]

My 2007.5 radio has started losing it's signal when I turn on the headlights. This happens if I am listening to a station that has low power. The radio will be playing good but as soon as I turn on the headlights it goes away. I turn lights off and it comes back.

 

[User113]

Is your battery voltage dropping with the headlights on?

 

[jdross440]

Is your battery voltage dropping with the headlights on?

No. Staying up. Relatively new batteries. Alternator putting out as it should.

 

[Ozymandias]

Bad ground somewhere, probably.

 

[brucejohnson]

What happens to the radio signal if you turn the instrument illumination down all the way to off with the headlights on?

 

[Jim W]

How do you know what the voltage is with the truck running. I would not rely on the VOLT meter in the truck, if this is what you are using to determine if the Alternator is working correctly!

I have a device that provides a voltage read out when the key is turned on and when the Alternator is providing current. This is plugged into the cigarette lighter, providing hands free phone use thru the radio. Since my truck is a 2008, and during that time period the standard radio did not offer pairing your phone to the radio. The device is a Nulaxy KM 29 transmitter which provides a digital read out of the trucks voltage at all times with the key on. See attached link: KM29 Pro Bluetooth FM Transmitter | Nulaxy

Everything on these new trucks require the proper voltage and AMPS to work correctly. So, it is imperative to know the correct voltage and not rely on idiot gages that the automotive manufactures are now putting in these trucks.

 

[tjm]

How do you know what the voltage is with the truck running. I would not rely on the VOLT meter in the truck, if this is what you are using to determine if the Alternator is working correctly!

I have a device that provides a voltage read out when the key is turned on and when the Alternator is providing current. This is plugged into the cigarette lighter, providing hands free phone use thru the radio. Since my truck is a 2008, and during that time period the standard radio did not offer pairing your phone to the radio. The device is a Nulaxy KM 29 transmitter which provides a digital read out of the trucks voltage at all times with the key on. See attached link: KM29 Pro Bluetooth FM Transmitter | Nulaxy

Everything on these new trucks require the proper voltage and AMPS to work correctly. So, it is imperative to know the correct voltage and not rely on idiot gages that the automotive manufactures are now putting in these trucks.

My MM3 reads battery voltage, edge CTS does as well. Pegs at 14.1V when running. I would think a bad ground too

 

[Jim W]

But jdross440, has still not stated what is voltage reading is when running! Until that is stated we are only guessing what the issues is.

My truck is a 2008, bought new in Nov. 2007, an has had several issues with batteries when they start to fail. In fact I had one battery last 7 months from date of purchase, that failed this this Feb. 2021. One cell in the battery was defective an it would not load test correctly. The battery did have a low voltage reading but with a bad cell the battery would not charge correctly! So, both batteries were replaced.

I am just saying that without data you are just doing a SWAG on fixing things!

 

[jghflys]

I turn on the headlights it goes away. I turn lights off and it comes back.

Are your headlights standard incandescent type or HID or led with drivers. If not standard incandescent, it could be electrical noise drowning out the radio signal.