# Radio noise **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [June 9, 2015, 3:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radio-noise/90218 "2015-06-09T03:37:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![grizz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/grizz/32/2597_2.png) [@grizz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/grizz)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 3:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radio-noise/90218/1 "2015-06-09T03:37:42Z")
I’ve noticed lately that when I use the turn signal, there’s a snapping, static-like sound on the car radio. Is this normal? If not, what’s causing it? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![DrRocket](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/drrocket/32/2603_2.png) [@DrRocket](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DrRocket)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 3:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radio-noise/90218/2 "2015-06-09T03:42:22Z")
Does it happen both directions? Are there a lot of miles on the car? Tilt wheel that gets used a lot? Where I’m going is the wiring harness in the steering column may have some worn insulation, and there’s a small short occurring when you use the turn signals. Or, the turn signal switch itself may be the culprit. ---
**Author:** ![grizz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/grizz/32/2597_2.png) [@grizz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/grizz)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radio-noise/90218/3 "2015-06-09T21:17:34Z")
Yes, both directions. There’s 118K+ miles. I don’t use the tilt feature - the steering wheel is where I want it. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 10:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radio-noise/90218/4 "2015-06-09T22:04:27Z")
Some late model vehicles use an audio device to simulate the sound of the old turn signal flasher. Some vehicles (GM) use one of the instrument panel speakers to produce the flasher sound. ---
**Author:** ![grizz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/grizz/32/2597_2.png) [@grizz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/grizz)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 10:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radio-noise/90218/5 "2015-06-09T22:09:21Z")
Actually it just started happening. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 10:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radio-noise/90218/6 "2015-06-09T22:16:17Z")
The speaker or audio device could be failing causing the static when producing sound. ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radio-noise/90218/7 "2015-06-09T22:35:33Z")
Many vehicles have a capacitor to supress that interferance. A bad capacitor would then allow the noise. ---
**Author:** ![grizz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/grizz/32/2597_2.png) [@grizz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/grizz)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 10:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radio-noise/90218/8 "2015-06-09T22:46:03Z")
is this something that can set a code? would a scan help pin-point the problem? ---
**Author:** ![Triedaq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Triedaq](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triedaq)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 3:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radio-noise/90218/9 "2015-06-10T03:09:41Z")
Go to a shop that installs audio systems in cars. They probably have seen this problem and know how to take care of it. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2015, 6:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radio-noise/90218/10 "2015-06-10T06:29:04Z")
No, it is not normal. I presume there’s been no changes to the electrical system which immediately preceded this problem, right? I’ve never experienced that particular problem, but I’ll take a guess. If your car uses a turn signal flasher relay that is easily replaceable, you might try that. The current one may have developed bad contacts. ---
**Author:** ![ranegersan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ba0ec/32.png) [@ranegersan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ranegersan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 5:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radio-noise/90218/11 "2015-06-14T05:52:09Z")
There seems to be a problem with the audio. Install new audio systems. ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2015, 1:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radio-noise/90218/12 "2015-06-14T13:56:25Z")
GeorgeSanJose is correct. An arcing contact generates RF noise that could be picked up by the radio. That being said, the switch should have arc suppression, and the radio should be shielded against the noise. There could be bad grounds in the radio or the switch that allows the pickup of the noise.