Interference from Heated window switch

[speed12]

Heres a strange one.

I only started noticing it a few months ago, but whenever I press the button to operate the rear window heater I cannot listen to any radio stations other than radio 1,2,34 etc.

Any other station and all i can here is interference.

Has anyone else ever experienced this? I can only assume that the wires leading to the switch must run close to the radio receiver and the current within the wires is causing a little magnetic field thats disrupting the radio.

[TDiBoraSam]

I've had this happen before.

If there are any breaks in the tiny copper lines on the window, it will cause interference with the radio. Something to do with resistance or something (I don't really understand), but when I repaired the breaks in the copper, the interference went away.

[speed12]

Thanks

I guess that kind of makes sense. Its strange how it only affects local stations, perhaps it only affects frequencies below the main BBC frequencies...

I will have to have a look at the copper lines.

[TDiBoraSam]

Yeah, I've got no idea why only certain frequencies would be affected. It's worth checking the earth to your radio too. If you have it on MW or LW and turn the rear window heater on, does the reception turn to a load of crackling?

[Crasher]

My Octavia does this ever since the rear window was taken out to deal with some rust. They snapped off the tags and re-soldered them but I don’t think they did it very well, I will have to try redoing it.

[speed12]

Hi Crasher... thats a coincidence!

I had to have my rear window taken out about 4 months ago for a paint defect, so its probably the same thing. THe heated window still works but perhaps the soldered joint has greater resistance or something.

[Crasher]

That’s what I think, I need to get around to taking a look, too busy fixing customers cars.