(I asked this same exact question over on RPS, and I trust the responses I got, I just wanted to see if you guys said the same thing. Just wanna be sure!)

I have a problem. And it is seriously ticking me off. Here's the problem, and it's specifics:

Problem: FM Radio makes a ticking noise through speakers.
Notes:
1. AM Radio does not cause ticking noise through speakers
2. While playing a CD, there is no ticking noise through speakers
3. Does not happen when the truck is off and the key is turned back, only when the truck is running.
4. Ticks get slightly faster the higher my RPMs are.
5. It does happen when using my iPod car adapter (since that utilizes an FM radio station)
6. Only started doing it about two weeks ago. Before that it's always been perfectly fine.
7. It's making me angry.


At first I thought it was some sort of "distribution whine" type thing, since it only happens on radio and gets faster as the RPMs go up, but I've never heard a distribution whine like this! I've checked all the cables to my amp (particularly the ground wire and remote antenna wire, as they tend to be problematic), but all seems fine.

Do you guys have ANY idea on what this is and how I can fix it? I'd be more than happy to take a video of the problem so you guys can hear it and see it for yourselves. Any advice or suggestions at all would be great, thanks guys.

 

Well I gotta say, the responses on RPS were overwhelmingly more helpful than the ones I got here. Thanks :)

 

still want an answer? or would you rather be a smartass and run back to rps?

 

Ha, I knew that comment would spark a response. Of course I want an answer, that's why I posted the topic. It's just that usually after 3 days, if there's no responses, you're not gonna get any. I've seen it happen way too many times. So, what's your suggestion on my problem, edgeman?

 

factory radio? aftermarket radio? who wired it if aftermarket? are power wires away from signal/speaker wires? is your cell phone located near the headunit or speakers? specifics man... gotta know some specs before i can give an answer.

 

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you sir have frequency interference, something in your electrical componenets is either shorting or about to go out...

I noticed when I used BOSCH spark plug wires on my old 93 it did that really bad, went back to motorcraft wires and everything went back to normal, hope this helps...

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hardly anyone is answering cause a lot of us are over on RPS too...

 

This started happening the same time I replaced my spark plug wires. Noooo! Don't wanna do that again! But seems like that's it, it only makes sense. Thanks for the information, I'm sure that's it.

Aftermarket Sony Xplode (Aka the worst head unit ever.) It was wired when I bought it. Power wires are far from all speakers. Cell phone stays in pocket. Thanks for the assistance, all.

 

yeah always buy the Motorcraft wires and plugs, from my experience the rest gave me radio interference, glad I could help :-)

 

Looks like I'll be picking up some Motorcrafts soon, thanks again! :)

 

btw did anyone over at RPS answer the Q? :-D

just noticed your name I'm friends with you on facebook, lol

 

Ah Cody, I didn't realize that was you, I didn't recognize the screen name. Yes we're Facebook friends, you're a good picture commenter, lol. I had a few responses on RPS, but they said it was due to a bad alternator. I'd never heard of this occurring because of that before, so I wanted to double check :)

 

i think they cleaned these forums of old threads a bit but i remember this issue coming up in the past.

 

yep I had a thread on it back when I was "blackranger93"