AM radio crackles when going over bumps

[vertrkr]

Doesn't matter what station but my radio will crackle/static when I driver over bumps, specially the lane marker dots. Only happens on AM though, FM & XM are strong. Guess maybe my AM antenna wire/connection is loose. I'm taking it in on Friday to get a new wheel, fix wind noise, rear window, paint crack and now the radio too.

[zero]

You are generating quite a list for the rest of us to use when we pick up our trucks.

Maybe we should start a separate thread somewhere about quality isuues to watch out for when inspecting your new truck.

[vertrkr]

Originally Posted by zero

You are generating quite a list for the rest of us to use when we pick up our trucks.

Maybe we should start a separate thread somewhere about quality isuues to watch out for when inspecting your new truck.

Indeed, I'll make a Check List thread soon and add everything I found and I'll edit my post as others chime in with other issues. That will make it convenient so others just have to print out the first post instead of reading the whole thread. Maybe Tom can make it sticky.

[Blue]

can you elaberate on this? thanks.

[vertrkr]

Originally Posted by Blue

can you elaberate on this? thanks.

See the Check List thread

Check List - Buying a Ridgeline/Check List

[bongus]

I'm getting the same crackling sound but mine occurs even on smooth surfaces. I really believe it is the headunit. The XM and the FM radio works well. One thing I noticed is that one particular radio station I listen to on my Mazda MPV does not come in very well on the Ridgeline...I guess the hidden antenna thing is not that great...Honda really makes you want to stick with XM.

[vertrkr]

Appears this only happens when I turn up the cabin heat to like 75-78 degrees and then after 10-15 minutes it will start to crackle with static when I go over rough surfaces. Hopefully now when I take it in and do a drive with the manager I can reproduce it and they'll finally do something about it.

[vertrkr]

Ok, looks like my head unit is bad. Did a ride with a Honda rep and thankfully he heard it too and surmized it was probably a bad head unit.

[dsowell]

The AM portion of this radio seems to suck. FM, XM, and CD's sound great.
Cannot get much volume out of AM without distortion.

Doug

[Londo]

Haha, mine is the opposite, AM comes in LOUD and FM is really low. I have to change the volume controls markedly when switching bands. Station selection on band doesn't matter.