Scratching noise on the radio when lights are ON

[TiCo99]

I started to have a weird issue and here it is.

During the day, everything goes well with the FM radio. As it darkens, the headlights turn themself on and If the radio station is kind of more than 50 miles away, I get a bunch of noise over the radio's signal. If I turn the lights OFF, the noise goes away and the radio works well.

This noise also apprars when I open the doors ( inside lights ) or in the parking lights only mode.

I was thinking that the balast were acting but it does it even if the HID are not in action.

Also checked the antenna connection behind the radio mudule in the dash but, unfortunately, all is okay.

Checked the DC feeding the radio with a scope and the voltage is kind of clean of interference.

Could it be the Alternator that is starting to act on me ??

HELP.

[TiCo99]

bump

[Sleepyhead97]

My personal experience. Headlights would cause large amounts off static sound on radio. I replaced headlights with Eagle Eye headlights (cheap Taiwan headlights) problem solved. Bet it's your stock headlights. Mine was on so 97 528i, standard light system.

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

Have a search around the forums for similar occurrences. I seem to recall that the rear window heater/de-mister can often introduce interference like this. I can't remember the resolution though right now. Good luck !

Cheers, Dennis!

[Liquidity]

My E92 does it with the rear defroster. You’re not alone. The problem is BMW.

[Sleepyhead97]

Easy test is to unplug each suspect item and see if anything changes. That's how I found my culprit.

[TiCo99]

I would disregard the headlights because when on parking lights, it does it too.

And when I open the driver door too,

What a messsss

[Sleepyhead97]

So lights cause static right? Unplug each light at a time till found. I would start at rear tail light assembly.