AM Radio Interference in Jeep Patriot

Its a connection somewhere.

There is a rats nest of wiring in the left fender well area.(I figured I'd look where they were messing around with the struts first) I checked all connectors there and found one that was all cheesy. I fixed it. I was hoping someone would have a direction or Idea where to look next. (All-data pictures suck and the dealer won't release schematics)

Thanks, I'll check the antenna. I didn't think that was it tho because the interference is there with the ign. in on position engine running or not running.

It won't be the antenna. The antenna for AM is a ferrite coil inside the unit. If that is the problem, then it might have loose mounts. The external antenna is for FM.

You may have a loose ground to the radio box itself. That would mess with the AM reception.

Really? When did they start making auto radios with an internal antennas for AM?

Considering the car is metal that would make reception difficult if not nearly impossible.

Maybe you have a loose or damaged sparkplug wire...

It happens when the engine is not running as well. If the key is in acc.position works fine but in on position problem starts.

Probably something like the fuel pump.

I stand by my antenna problem theory.

I used to test that by taking a standard whip antenna and connecting it to the radio, grounding the base at a convient location and if the noise stopped I knew it was a bad antenna.

I'll try that tonight. Thanks

Sounds like a ground problem.

Pacific Coast Manuals offer FSM's for under $12.

Jeep Compass & Patriot Forum - JeepForum.com

The above link is one of several online forums that are specific to your year and model.

There used to be a braided cable from the center of the firewall to the block specifically for engine noise. I'm assuming you've disconnected the cellphone etc chargers to eliminate them.

Let us know

You brought up a good question about cell phone chargers, I listen to a AM station (740) out of San Fran and have had radio noise will my cell phone was plugged in, with or without the engine running! Unplug the cell phone or tablet and the noise goes away

DDefine the noise please.

It was a white noise like you get when at the outer range of a radio station,only louder.

Oh, like your antenna was corroded and the radio wasn't getting a signal.

The corrosion was grounding the antenna to the fender over the rubber bushing holding the mast base shorting it out so yea, like not having an antenna at all.

Hero nailed it, The antenna was corroded where it connects to the cable on the fender. I cleaned up the connection and replaced the antenna with a new one. With this happening at the same time the struts were replaced was just a fortunate coincidence(I found the cheesed up connector that was due to attract gremlins soon.

Thanks to all for your advice. The phone charger issue is good to know.

So glad that you got it fixed.

Something is not grounded well. My dad had a noise issue on a pickup truck. The brake lights started acting up. A ground strap was put between the cab and the bed of the truck to fix it. That also fixed the radio noise issue. You might need one on the hood.

That was the first thing I checked. All ground straps (5 in all) were in good condition. The corrosion was on the antenna itself shorting over the insulator mounting it to the fender.