Static in radio with headlights on

[jackcarver]

As of yesterday, when I turn on my ’89 Buick Park Ave headlights or even just the parking lights, there is static in my stock radio. It does this manually or using the automatic “twilight sentinel”system. Bad switch, bad daylight sensor, or what? Anybody had any experience with this strangeness or have a wiring diagram available?

[Loekee75]

Originally Posted by jackcarver

As of yesterday, when I turn on my ’89 Buick Park Ave headlights or even just the parking lights, there is static in my stock radio. It does this manually or using the automatic “twilight sentinel”system. Bad switch, bad daylight sensor, or what? Anybody had any experience with this strangeness or have a wiring diagram available?

Sounds like a bad ground to me. Check your radio/ headlight ground wires

[jackcarver]

Today I removed the "twilight Sentinal" switch and the instument light rheostat switch, and left them out of the mix. No help.
Next, I removed the headlight switch and cleaned the terminals. No help.
Since I am getting the hum in the radio when the headlights are on OR just the parking lights, I feel it is NOT either of those systems. The common denominator seems to be the headlight switch or the tail lights. I will disconnect the tailights for a test in the near future, after I get over this darn cold.

[jackcarver]

Today I took out every lamp that is connected to the parking light system (8 tail + stoplights, 4 side lights and 4 front park lamp bulbs) for a test. Turned on light switch to parking lights and radio screached. No change.

BUT, I have a new piece of info, I did not relize before. Turning on the lights has no adverse affect with FM, just AM stations. And the weaker the station the loader the noise. In fact there is hardly any noise on strong stations. But the noise comes up to a screach (somewhat like a emergency alert sound on the TV) on weak stations with the lights on.

I am still very puzzeled.

[jackcarver]

Removed radio, unplugged and replugged everything. All is well. I have no idea what the problem was, but can only assume there was a poor connection somewhere.
Thanks for your support. Jack

[Loekee75]

Originally Posted by jackcarver

Removed radio, unplugged and replugged everything. All is well. I have no idea what the problem was, but can only assume there was a poor connection somewhere.
Thanks for your support. Jack

I'm betting it was your ground wire

[jackcarver]

Could be, we will never know. I am closing this post. Thanks for your help.