Radio interference & power windows

[David K.]

I get a noticable noise from my stock radio when I raise or lower my power windows in my '67 roadster. I have changed out the capacitor that sets behind the ignition and plugs into the three way plug. Is there any other capacitor that helps reduce this interference, maybe the capacitor on the voltage regulator? Is the a way to check the capacitor? Maybe the new one is bad as well.

Or is some interference from the power windows expected?

[Jon #40768]

Re: Radio interference & power windows

I never noticed interferance, but then again, I have side exhaust.

Good luck
Jon

[Jack H.]

An interesting note...

Though many standard and optional components were 'modified' by the inclusion of an optional radio to the car's build configuration (typically, strategically placed capacitors to gate radio frequency generated electrical transient disturbances to ground at the source of the noise), there was NO equivalent 'hush up' provision for the electric motors installed when the power window feature was added.

It's not unusual to observe a 'whining' sound in lock-step to the operation of a power window motor in these cars. My hunch is designers considered this interference a 'cosmetic' issue for two reasons:

(1) It only happened when the driver initiated window up/down movement and then only for the duration of the window lift.

(2) What the heck, if a window's in motion you're most likely getting a HUGE, naturally occuring sound transient for outside air flow when the car's in motion anyway. The only thing you'd achieve with a 'hush up' capacitor is relief from RF noise in the radio with the car sitting stationary... Is it worth the extra cost?

[David K.]

Re: An interesting note...

So if that interference is something GM did not worry about does a car pass a PV with that noise?

[Jack H.]

You'll have to ask a qualified PV judge... *NM*