AM Radio Static in Volvo S60R

If you can gain access to the antenna connection, temporarily connect a known good antenna.

Embedded window antennas can develop breaks that are hard to see.

In the old days, there was a piece of spring steel mounted to the firewall. When the hood was closed, it would make contact with the hood. Without it the engine would create a lot of static in the radio. I do not know if this feature is still on todays cars.

I always wondered what that thing was for. Thanks for the info.

You can also run some extra ground straps to various places. Engine to frame and engine to body, doors, trunk lids, hood - use a ground strap near the hinges. Also ground the exhaust system to the body by a ground strap connected via a hose clamp around the pipe. This is what I use as a standard operation when installing ham radios in vehicles and it can increase the reception quite a lot. (We use AM radios to detect electrical "static" leaks in transmission lines, they are quite good for that!)

Go to your local Auto elec technician and ask him for a static filter, it is installed in series on the + wire to your head unit. It filters out the frequency that your alternator generates. modern cars come equipped with this filter. who listens to am radio these days anyway? Go digital brother.

Many have already been addressed previously, I would accomplish all of these:

Install a short flexble braided wire between the hood and body near the firewall.

Verify proper ignition loom and spark plugs. If resistor types are recommended alternatives, change as appropriate. If the loom is dated, replace it.

If it doesn't exist, install a #10 insulated wire between the engine block and firewall.

There is a static suppression device in every car's iginition system. Yours has probably gone bad. Try to find its location from the dealer / service manual and replace with a working one.

These are usually located on the coil that changes 12 volts to 25-30,000 volts. Usually connected to the positive side of the coil. Good luck.