Technical HID kit (Xenons) - radio interference?

[Lildonut]

Hi all,

I have recently fitted an aftermarket HID Xenon kit to my Bravo, and it seems to be causing the radio reception to be really poor - has anyone else had this kind of problem after fitting theirs?:bang:

Radio works fine until I switch the lights on, then it goes all crackly and sounds like a weak radio signal. I guess this is the interference caused by introducing a new 23000 volt circuit? I have moved the ballast packs further away from the earthing points and battery leads which improved things slightly, but not sure what to do next

Any ideas how to cure it (please don't suggest removing the kit - I would rather be able to see where I am going and just put in a CD!) or any similar experiences?

Cheers.

 

[a1ant]

Hi mate,

What HID kit have you got? Are your ballasts digital or analogue? As your probably aware, you shouldn't get any interference. Have you noticed any other electrical circuits controlled by the BCU acting strangely since they were fitted?

Alan

 

[Lildonut]

Hi Alan,

HID kit supplied by j_a_m_performance through eBay. No idea if ballasts are digi or analogue - how could I tell?
Power specs are 23k volts/35W

I haven't noticed anything else being affected, but there is a definite and obvious reduction on the radio quality as soon as the lights are turned on...I know a few people who have had the same kits fitted to various cars and this has not been a problem for any of them

The ballasts are metal cased and I have attached them to convenient places under the bonnet, but they are directly attached to metalwork (and therefore the negative earth of the car) - didn't know if they should be insulated perhaps?

 

[buck-egit]

I have been using my HID kit from hids4u for a few months now and I have found no problem with the radio

 

[Lildonut]

Can I ask where you have mounted the ballasts? Particularly the nearside one as space is tight around the headlight on the M-Jet, and the battery and main body earth point are located nearby...

 

[olly1]

I have the same interference since I fitted the HID kit but only on FM in week signal areas. So will put up with it as Can now see where I am going.

I have a 1.6 Mjet and had the same problem fitting the ballast to the top of the innier wings, you have a braket going from the front cross member to the inner wing I attached it to the last bolt. The ones I got from HID direct still have clearance for the bonnett to shut.

 

[Venters]

Wouldn't better quality legal bulbs be a better solution?

 

[Lildonut]

You may be right there Beasty - if I can't get rid of the radio interference without spending out loads more cash then that is definitely the next option!

Why can't the standard lights just be better??:bang:

Any recommendations (h1 fitting on the bravo)? I have heard good things about the PIAA bulbs...

 

[Lildonut]

Update...

Just tried another pair of ballasts from my bro's Beemer - still getting the same problem with the radio reception with any combination of ballasts.

Also simulated connecting via a relay - still no improvement.

Next step seems to be fitting an RF choke to radio 12v and/or ballast 12v supplies - anyone done this?

Losing the will...