No NOAH Weather broadcast after I turn headlights on

[Arbelius65]

Hi All. I installed a new Uniden CMX760 in my 08 Dodge Ram 1500 today. I get the usual cb noise and I get the weather broadcast clearly. When I turn on my lights, the broadcast goes blank with no noise at all. I connected both the positive and negative leads directly to the battery to prevent "engine" noise but still get "engine" noise. I know the Dodges have a "CanBus" electrical system, could this be an issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[a417]

What type of lights? headlights? LED fog lights? Mood lights? You say that you lose everything when you turn your lights on, but you do not mention if the engine is on...then you say you're getting engine noise. More specifics are needed.

If it goes to hell when your lights are on, then I think you have some LED ballasts somewhere that are trashing your CB front end...and I'd start looking there, as well as grounding for the antenna, the type of coax you used, and the entire signal path.

 

[buddrousa]

Some LED lights are a common source for noise.

 

[Arbelius65]

Yes. I have converted just about every light to LED. Headlights, fog lights, parking/turn signals, I also have a 54" light bar across the top of the windshield and a 20" light bar on the push/bull bar up front. I have the required resistors installed to make the blinkers not hyperflash and resistors to keep the headlights from blinking. The antenna is mounted on the left side bed rail area right behind the cab with two bolts going through the aluminum bracket into the sheet metal. I have good ground on the bottom side of the co-ax connector and about .018 on the antenna side. I havnt how ever checked the ground between the lower mounted area and the negative post of the battery yet.

What type of lights? headlights? LED fog lights? Mood lights? You say that you lose everything when you turn your lights on, but you do not mention if the engine is on...then you say you're getting engine noise. More specifics are needed.

If it goes to hell when your lights are on, then I think you have some LED ballasts somewhere that are trashing your CB front end...and I'd start looking there, as well as grounding for the antenna, the type of coax you used, and the entire signal path.

Pleas read my reply below. Thanks!

 

[tvengr]

I saw several articles about LED headlight interference. The solution is clipping ferrite cores on the wires going to the headlights.

 

[a417]

Then you will have to address every LED you placed on that vehicle, as it is invariably the source of your interference.

 

[phask]

Pull one led at a time and check, rinse & repeat.

 

[hitechRadio]

The headlights are the culprit.
Courtesy lights are unlikely to be the issue, most that I have seen just use a resistor divider and not a switching regulator like LED headlights.
There are replacement Hedlight LEDs that are better than others to keep from interference, they are usually more expensive though.
I have tried the ferrite core route, no noticeable difference I could tell. Solution was a better USA made LED.
(note, the cheap china ones I purchased first, even said that radio interference was a possible issue in the chinglish destructions)
You will likely notice you car stereo also is having issues also receiving weak stations.

ALSO...The better option.....your negative really needs to go to chassis ground as close as possible to radio. And NOT direct to battery.
If you decide to keep the neg direct to battery, be sure it is fused, bad things can happen (think.. smoke, fire, melting wire) if not fused.