Cant get radio reception when driving??

[alf_ista]

Hello everyone. A while ago I fitted a period Blaupunkt to my '72 Chevy pick up. Here is a pic...



Before that there was a modern cd player thing that worked but looked awful. I just wanted something that would play FM and also had a din socket on the back for future ipod conneciton if I wanted. I got the Blaupunkt and hooked it up. I had a problem with the aerial so then fitted one of those internal boosted ones. It works perfectly when the engine is off and you are sitting in the drive. However try and go for a spin and all I get is interference with a hint of reception trying to get in. I imagine I am getting some kind of interference off the ignition system? Anyone any ideas how to solve this? Is there something I can fit to dampen the interference? Or am I on the wrong track altogether?
Thanks in advance, Hugh.

[TerryG]

I had that problem with my Morris Minor, to cure it I bunged suppressors (capacitors) on the coil and alternator. They came from Halfrauds but i would imagine most car bits places would have something that will do the job.

[jwh]

Back in the seventies i worked for a rootes dealer preparing new cars for sale . when a customer ordered a radio to be fitted we used to get a fitting kit complete with suppressors and earth straps. The suppressors were fitted to the coil and alternator and the straps were attached to the exhaust and engine.
Try Terry Gs suggestion and if there is any remaining interference try earthing the exhaust and add another earth to from engine to chassis.

[alf_ista]

Thanks guys. I will try Halfords and see if they have what I want. Although i can foresee getting that blank stare you often get... What I cant understand is why the modern radio worked ok? Maybe it has something built in that sorts it out? How do these supressors connect to the coil and alternator?

[TerryG]

You fit the suppressor between positive and ground so for the alternator it goes on the main output lead and on the coil it connects to the positive side.
This is halfrauds alternator offering: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65626#dtab
It's £4 which strikes me as expencive for a capasitor but it looks tidy and comes ready wired for the job.
You can use the same thing on the coil but you will need to fit a spade connector to it in place of the "ring" type one it comes with.

[alf_ista]

Thanks Terry! That looks like what I need. I will try and get one this week and see how it goes.