Am Radio Static

[r6264]

I have a 2007 RX400h. Since I primarily listen to talk radio, the FM band is wasted on me. Problem is when the car gets into the zone where the batteries are being charged,the white or blue zone on the meter, the static on the band I listen to is unbelievable. This also happens when the brakes are applied.

I sent an email to Lexus with negative results as far as a reply. My salesman has contacted Lexus and they're aware of the problem Anyone else with the same issue??

[skyfish400h]

I have a 2007 RX400h. Since I primarily listen to talk radio, the FM band is wasted on me. Problem is when the car gets into the zone where the batteries are being charged,the white or blue zone on the meter, the static on the band I listen to is unbelievable. This also happens when the brakes are applied.

I sent an email to Lexus with negative results as far as a reply. My salesman has contacted Lexus and they're aware of the problem Anyone else with the same issue??

Listen to AM all the time and have never noticed any RF interference from the HSD system.

But it could be S/N ratio isssue if the station signal is weak. AM 1150 has a pretty strong signal in my area. Does you RF interference happen at all bands or just the one you listen to most? Is your station a relatively stong signal?

[r6264]

I have a 2007 RX400h. Since I primarily listen to talk radio, the FM band is wasted on me. Problem is when the car gets into the zone where the batteries are being charged,the white or blue zone on the meter, the static on the band I listen to is unbelievable. This also happens when the brakes are applied.

I sent an email to Lexus with negative results as far as a reply. My salesman has contacted Lexus and they're aware of the problem Anyone else with the same issue??

Listen to AM all the time and have never noticed any RF interference from the HSD system.

But it could be S/N ratio isssue if the station signal is weak. AM 1150 has a pretty strong signal in my area. Does you RF interference happen at all bands or just the one you listen to most? Is your station a relatively stong signal?

Guess the stations are on the weak side, although, I also have a 2003 Avalon which gets the stations in a hell of a lot stronger and NO interference. Let's see, last time I looked I think I paid a lot more for the Lexus and this should not be an issue. I'm in the Poconos, and the closest and the strongest station is approx 45 miles, that's close as far as I'm concerned.

[DArustik]

Check in with the dealer if you are having serious problems. Other than that you shouldn't have any, the RX's have great reception.

[Gryphon]

I agree, my RX has the first radio in years that has decent AM reception.

Tom

[classichybrid]

I, too, have a 2007 Lexus 400h which recently started to have radio interference in the higher numbers of the AM band, especially 1410 (KQV).

It's like this:

1. The problem started just a few days ago;

2. The interference is not in evidence when the car is parked and is in P or N;

3. As soon as the lever is shifted to a drive gear the interference comes on quite loudly;

4. While driving it is worse during regen.

5. It is possible by feathering the throttle to alleviate the problem somewhat.

6. The car now has more than 50,000 miles.

It seems clear that something is wrong now which was OK before.

There may be some sort of radio noise suppressor in connection with the electric part of the drive train that has gone bad.

Or, worse, the static may be an early sign of something going bad with some part of the electric drive train.

Anyhow, the car will have to go (as in get sold) if I cannot soon find the source of the problem.