Radio Signal Issue When shifting into Reverse
 

I installed my LED dome lights, trunk, license plate and reverse lights today and noticed this. I took a video with my iPhone and it came out sideways (sorry) but you can still see what's going on. I'm curious to as why it does this. It works fine if the car is running but not if the car is turned off and the ignition is in the "ON" position. I'll have to see if it does it when the key is in accessory. I didn't check that.

Here's a video.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3TzRt04Y7U"]2013 Scion FRS Radio Signal Issue - YouTube[/ame]

:bonk: :iono:

Ruskymx

Was it like this before you installed the LEDs in the reverse light?

Hmm... I have LED reverse lights and everything in my car as well and it doesn't do it. Can you give me more details as to what style bulbs you were using?

From my previous mistakes , may I suggest checking the ground ? You may have possibly disconnected the ground ?? I'll think more about it

I never noticed it if it did it before. I guess I'd have to switch the bulbs out again and see if it does it.

I bought the bulbs from the classifieds here.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4127

I just swapped the bulbs, and didn't mess with any wiring. I'll have to swap out the reverse lights and see if it still does it.

It's not a big deal, but now that I know about it, it will drive me nuts until I figure out why...lol

Ruskymx

Maybe one of the reverse bulbs is giving a ground loop issue. I do agree though, switch them back to stock and see if it persists.

I'm going to try this right now! then go for a drive (yes no more rain) will report back if mine does that as well

Perhaps it was the Twisted Sister?

Nope mine is fine no problems to report

^ Thank goodness! :bow:

I have had the same issue since I installed my LED dome, trunk, liscense plate, and reverse lights... Did anyone figure out the solution? Do I have to go back to stock? I bought the same LEDs so I don't want to claim anything but interesting coincidence

I just looked up similar issues in other vehicles and some people experienced a temporary cutoff for the radio. Leave it in reverse for a minute to see if the radio comes back.

It seems like they were describing a power drain issue. Could be the lights are on the same circuit and the reverse LEDs have a significant drain. Just guessing.

Some LED drivers operate in switching mode. This means that there's a circuit in the LED module that operates at a really high frequency, (10s or 100s of kilohertz) and is most likely giving off RFI (radio frequency interference). This is not uncommon.

If you have a portable radio, turn it on and move it around the suspect LED when it's on and off, and see if you hear any change in the radio. Try it on a station and try it on static. Try AM and FM (some radios are more sensitive in certain ranges than others -- maybe the FR-S radio is particularly susceptible in FM mode).

If it is RFI coming from the LED module, the module is improperly shielded to prevent RFI from escaping. You could try shielding it yourself -- wrapping the power leads through a ferrite core, close to the LED would probably work. Maybe even some creative use of aluminum foil...

Good luck. RFI is a PITA.

I have heard that the cree reverse lights cause interference with the radio. The automation reverse lights are of this variety. I am not disrespecting their product, but, I took the safe road and went for non-cree.

I went with HID_POWERHOUSE and they stress that they don't sell the cree style. Quite happy with their products.