Radio + Rear Defroster = No Reception

LittleVik · 11-26-2008, 11:57 AM

So it was cold out this morning, and I had ice form on my windows overnight. Got in car, started driving, and turned on rear defroster. I switched from iPod to radio, and had no reception. Lots of static on most of the channels, and intermittent static on the others. Not one channel was working right. Now I know these channels come in, since I was near my house. The engineer in me instantly said "turn the defroster off", and as soon as I hit the button, the radio station came in clear and perfect. As soon as i turned the defroster back on, static...

So, I mean, is this normal? I know that there are a lot of wires in the rear windshield, which would create a big magnetic field when turned off, which could kill radio reception... And I assume the antenna for the car is IN the rear windshield as well. So it makes sense that this *could* happen, but *should* it? And if it shouldn't, are they going have to tear my car apart over this, cause it isn't a huge bother, but if it is fixable I'd do it, but not if it means taking apart my 3 week old vehicle.

- Vik

AlienDNA · 11-26-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleVik

So, I mean, is this normal?

No.

imported_mega · 11-26-2008, 01:27 PM

it's normal imo, every bmw I've owned did it, except my 2002 & e30's, but those had a real radio antenna

MZWIE · 11-26-2008, 01:29 PM

Not normal. 3 bimmers in a row now and neither had that issue.

bman6074 · 11-26-2008, 01:34 PM

yea I would agree that it is not normal. My M3 never did that and the attenna is integrated in the rear window. I don't think my 135i does that, but I don't listen to the radio that much. Will have to test it when i get home from vaca.

imported_mega · 11-26-2008, 01:41 PM

try it with AM, not FM, I don't listen to FM that may be the difference

pit1 · 11-26-2008, 01:46 PM

Not normal. Never experienced that in past Bimmers. I DID frequently loose my AM frequency in my E46, didn't notice it was connected with defrost, though most of it was due to the damn metallic tint on rear.

imported_mega · 11-26-2008, 05:01 PM

the defroster messes up the radio because they are both built into the rear window

mtla4 · 11-26-2008, 05:47 PM

happened to me yesterday. No AM reception

Ron H · 11-26-2008, 07:00 PM

Just tried mine and no issue.

Mad Dragon · 11-26-2008, 10:50 PM

solution: get satellite radio :biggrin:

imported_mega · 12-09-2008, 01:39 PM

anyone else have trouble with AM + defroster ?

I turn defrost on, I might as well turn the radio off, all I hear is static

of course all my bmw's with antenna in rear window do this, not just the 135i

I've not tried a stronger station to see if it's related to the signal strength and it does not affect FM for me

JB123d · 12-10-2008, 02:31 PM

I tried my UK spec E82 123D. No problems on FM or AM ( including weak AM stations) with rear demist on, with ice covering antenna wires and clear of ice. Interior surface was clear of droplets though. I'm not sure if condensation may have an effect?

Mega Man · 12-12-2008, 10:03 PM

Hopefully, this is not a serious issue.

It happened to me tonight...a little foggy on the back window, hit the rear defroster, and noticed the radio wasn't responsive at all.

topvega · 12-17-2008, 10:18 PM

This has been happening to me as well... radio is fine...turn on rear defroster and static... not happy at all

MOCKBA · 12-18-2008, 01:39 AM

So a convertibale obviously doesn't have this problem.

Tom K. · 12-18-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

So a convertibale obviously doesn't have this problem.

Right - thanks to the old-fashioned fender mount antenna:thumbup:.
Tom

EspressoBoy · 12-18-2008, 04:09 PM

Not another small issue! Damn!

I will check mine tomorrow morning. And I thought the German design was about the details!

EspressoBoy

1Ronnie · 12-18-2008, 10:37 PM

Out of interest, has anyone experienced this with FM? I thought the FM antenna was in the Shark Fin, so I assume it doesn't.

And another thing for further consideration, I wonder if it affects certain channels rather than others. It seems to me this is the Antenna generating a frequency that interferes with the radio, so maybe it's limited to some frequency ranges.

And BTW I've tried this a few times, and not experienced any problem. It may be to do with how the wires are run inside the car??

topvega · 12-20-2008, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Ronnie

Out of interest, has anyone experienced this with FM? I thought the FM antenna was in the Shark Fin, so I assume it doesn't.

And another thing for further consideration, I wonder if it affects certain channels rather than others. It seems to me this is the Antenna generating a frequency that interferes with the radio, so maybe it's limited to some frequency ranges.

And BTW I've tried this a few times, and not experienced any problem. It may be to do with how the wires are run inside the car??

Mine happens with FM on different channels...
I don't listen to AM.

croopnick · 01-03-2026, 11:44 AM

Very helpful information. Thanks.

11-26-2008, 11:57 AM	#1
LittleVik Banned 8 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 2009 128i Black/Black Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boston Burbs iTrader: (0)	Radio + Rear Defroster = No Reception So it was cold out this morning, and I had ice form on my windows overnight. Got in car, started driving, and turned on rear defroster. I switched from iPod to radio, and had no reception. Lots of static on most of the channels, and intermittent static on the others. Not one channel was working right. Now I know these channels come in, since I was near my house. The engineer in me instantly said "turn the defroster off", and as soon as I hit the button, the radio station came in clear and perfect. As soon as i turned the defroster back on, static... So, I mean, is this normal? I know that there are a lot of wires in the rear windshield, which would create a big magnetic field when turned off, which could kill radio reception... And I assume the antenna for the car is IN the rear windshield as well. So it makes sense that this could happen, but should it? And if it shouldn't, are they going have to tear my car apart over this, cause it isn't a huge bother, but if it is fixable I'd do it, but not if it means taking apart my 3 week old vehicle. - Vik
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11-26-2008, 01:27 PM	#3
imported_mega Colonel 151 Rep 2,213 Posts Drives: various bmw's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: neverland iTrader: (0)	it's normal imo, every bmw I've owned did it, except my 2002 & e30's, but those had a real radio antenna __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. Driving e82, e72, e85, R53 Gone but not forgotten.. 1974 2002, many various 3s.
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11-26-2008, 01:29 PM	#4
MZWIE Lieutenant Colonel 425 Rep 1,665 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: GEORGIA iTrader: (0)	Not normal. 3 bimmers in a row now and neither had that issue.
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11-26-2008, 01:34 PM	#5
bman6074 Major 123 Rep 1,259 Posts Drives: 2023M240i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	yea I would agree that it is not normal. My M3 never did that and the attenna is integrated in the rear window. I don't think my 135i does that, but I don't listen to the radio that much. Will have to test it when i get home from vaca. __________________
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11-26-2008, 01:41 PM	#6
imported_mega Colonel 151 Rep 2,213 Posts Drives: various bmw's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: neverland iTrader: (0)	try it with AM, not FM, I don't listen to FM that may be the difference __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. Driving e82, e72, e85, R53 Gone but not forgotten.. 1974 2002, many various 3s.
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11-26-2008, 01:46 PM	#7
pit1 Captain 249 Rep 792 Posts Drives: F87 M2 Join Date: May 2008 Location: It's always Sunny... iTrader: (1)	Not normal. Never experienced that in past Bimmers. I DID frequently loose my AM frequency in my E46, didn't notice it was connected with defrost, though most of it was due to the damn metallic tint on rear.
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11-26-2008, 05:01 PM	#8
imported_mega Colonel 151 Rep 2,213 Posts Drives: various bmw's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: neverland iTrader: (0)	the defroster messes up the radio because they are both built into the rear window __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. Driving e82, e72, e85, R53 Gone but not forgotten.. 1974 2002, many various 3s.
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11-26-2008, 07:00 PM	#10
Ron H Private 0 Rep 52 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2008 iTrader: (0)	Just tried mine and no issue.
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11-26-2008, 10:50 PM	#11
Mad Dragon . 31 Rep 932 Posts Drives: 2010 GTI Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	solution: get satellite radio :biggrin:
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12-09-2008, 01:39 PM	#12
imported_mega Colonel 151 Rep 2,213 Posts Drives: various bmw's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: neverland iTrader: (0)	anyone else have trouble with AM + defroster ? I turn defrost on, I might as well turn the radio off, all I hear is static of course all my bmw's with antenna in rear window do this, not just the 135i I've not tried a stronger station to see if it's related to the signal strength and it does not affect FM for me __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. Driving e82, e72, e85, R53 Gone but not forgotten.. 1974 2002, many various 3s.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-10-2008, 02:31 PM	#13
JB123d Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: Join Date: Aug 2008 iTrader: (0)	I tried my UK spec E82 123D. No problems on FM or AM ( including weak AM stations) with rear demist on, with ice covering antenna wires and clear of ice. Interior surface was clear of droplets though. I'm not sure if condensation may have an effect?
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12-12-2008, 10:03 PM	#14
Mega Man エアーマンが倒せない 334 Rep 2,037 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 135i [0.00]	Hopefully, this is not a serious issue. It happened to me tonight...a little foggy on the back window, hit the rear defroster, and noticed the radio wasn't responsive at all. __________________ 1ADDICT \| Black Shadowline Grills \| KW V2 \| CP-E Tow-Hook Plate \| CP-E Catback Exhaust \| Tow-Hook \| Evolution Racewerks Intercooler \| ER Charge Pipe \| HKS SQV IV \| ER Intercooler Shroud \| BMS Oil Catch Can \| COBB Access Port \| APEX ARC-8 \| EAS OE Performance Brake Upgrade \| SLeK Carbon Fiber Hood \|
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12-17-2008, 10:18 PM	#15
topvega Kinda sorta banned on N54 19 Rep 626 Posts Drives: 135 SGM JB3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NJ Exit 91 iTrader: (0)	This has been happening to me as well... radio is fine...turn on rear defroster and static... not happy at all __________________
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12-18-2008, 01:39 AM	#16
MOCKBA Captain 67 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	So a convertibale obviously doesn't have this problem. __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
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12-18-2008, 04:09 PM	#18
EspressoBoy 1addict, and proud 43 Rep 1,019 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 08 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	Not another small issue! Damn! I will check mine tomorrow morning. And I thought the German design was about the details! EspressoBoy __________________
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12-18-2008, 10:37 PM	#19
1Ronnie Ronnie 17 Rep 556 Posts Drives: '08 Sedona 128i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	Out of interest, has anyone experienced this with FM? I thought the FM antenna was in the Shark Fin, so I assume it doesn't. And another thing for further consideration, I wonder if it affects certain channels rather than others. It seems to me this is the Antenna generating a frequency that interferes with the radio, so maybe it's limited to some frequency ranges. And BTW I've tried this a few times, and not experienced any problem. It may be to do with how the wires are run inside the car?? __________________ "Lucy" 128i / Sedona Red / Coral Red / Premium Package / Premium Sound
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01-03-2026, 11:44 AM	#21
croopnick New Member 2 Rep 20 Posts Drives: BMW 5 Join Date: Jan 2026 Location: PL iTrader: (0)	Very helpful information. Thanks.
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