HIDs causing radio interference? What gives?

Yep. Recently installed Xenon HIDs are causing pretty severe buzzing when I turn them on with the radio running. That's a problem where I live (Interior Alaska), 'cause it's dark here A LOT and there's only ONE RADIO STATION. I kind of need both to work.

Anyone have any ideas what's wrong – and more importantly, if there's an easy (read:cheap) fix? Otherwise, I'll be looking to replace the whole headlight assembly and sell the HIDs on craigslist.

Thx.

PS: Where would you go (online) for the best deals on aftermarket headlight replacements?

 

I have had the same issue for a while however mine is minor buzzing not to mention it only affects some stations. I have a thread about it somewhere that has 0 comments. Best of luck

 

I'm no expert in HID's, but it sounds like a bad ballast or a bad ground somewhere. Could just be that your ballasts emit too much RF which is causing interference in your audio. I'd disconnect them one at a time and see if one of them is doing it or both.

Edit: Here's a thread on a Titan (dare I mention a Nissan) forum that has some things to try to eliminate the noise

http://www.titantalk.com/forums/titan-visual-audio-discussion/60038-hid-radio-static.html

 

Thank you afd for the link. I think that I'll probably just switch 'em out and call it good. Electrical issues are always a bit of a head-scratcher.

I followed and read the link: the problem is with the HID kits. There's got to be something that factories are doing to shield their systems. What it is, I'll never know. The gist of everyone's advice is to wrap the nearest-balast-to-the-antenna with a metallic shield of some kind, like aluminum or copper foil, then move it as far away from the antenna as is possible, then perhaps anchor/hold it to something non-metallic. I inspected mine: no-go. The ballast wires aren't long enough to move them any further away. So I'm stuck. Craigslist, here I come.

 

These cheap ballasts can do that. It's a somewhat common problem from what I've heard over the years. I never had a problem with the HID kit I had in my Impala though. As mentioned I believe its with the RF.