2012 GL1800 Radio Static after LED Headlight Installation

[joberry1]

Hi, looking for some input for an issue I have after installing LED Headlights. I purchased and installed the new Pathfinder LED headlights for High and Low Beams. I also installed the Pathfinder sequential running/turn signals and the spoiler sequential light. After installing the headlights, I noticed static on the FM Radio. The static increases when I switch on the High Beams, enough that you can't really hear the radio, only the static.

I contacted SoCalMotoGear via e-mail yesterday also. The said that they hadn't heard of this problem. Asked me to make sure the drivers were not in contact with the antenna or radio wiring in any way. Pulled boxes back out to access the high beams this evening. When I unplugged the high beams, the static was gone. It appears that most of the static comes from the right side high beam, but there is drastically less from the left as well. With both unplugged, the static is gone and the radio plays fine. I left SoCal another e-mail tonight, but would expect not to hear back from them until next week now.

Any ideas or suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[DaveO430]

I have heard of that problem, no answers for you though. I just put LEDs in mine also but I don't listen to radio so I don't care. I did turn it on though just to see and didn't hear any static. I just have them in the low beams though.

[WingAdmin]

It's a known problem for some LED headlight bulbs, that have poorly shielded drivers, or drivers that allow noise to flow back into the power wires, which then act as transmitting antennae. It's the first time I've heard of it with Pathfinders, however.

I would try putting a ferrite choke on the headlight wires as a test to see if it cuts down on the noise at all - place them as close as possible to the headlights/drivers. That should block any RF from getting past and being broadcast to overwhelm your radio.

[joberry1]

Thanks Wingadmin. I will try that. Not knowing much about electronics, does it matter which side of the driver I put it on? (input side or LED light side)? I will post the findings after the test to maybe help someone else later.

[WingAdmin]

Thanks Wingadmin. I will try that. Not knowing much about electronics, does it matter which side of the driver I put it on? (input side or LED light side)? I will post the findings after the test to maybe help someone else later.

It depends on where the noise is coming from! Try each and see what happens. If you can, loop the wire through the ferrite core, the more times the better:

Choke on wires

[joberry1]

I wanted to come back with the fix that eliminated the radio noise. I have worked for sometime with Pathfinder on this. It has taken a while, but there customer service has been extremely good. I first tried the homemade ferrites with no luck. After contacting Pathfinder, they said they would either refund me, or in a month or 2 they would have something to try. I was OK with waiting. They first sent a harness made up with ferrite installed. They did not help at all. He then said they had a new electronic filter coming out to try. A week later, they were ready. He sent 2 for the high beams. They definitely helped. They worked well for a about a minute, then the noise would start fading back in. They sent me a second pair to install on the low beams. I now have them installed and the issue is finally resolved.
If anyone else has a similar problem, I would contact them and see about the electronic type filters. They look similar to the drivers in size and looks, and install between the drivers and the LED lights.
Hope this helps someone else, and thank you to those who have already responded and tried to help out. I appreciated it.

[wingpilot08]

I wanted to come back with the fix that eliminated the radio noise. I have worked for sometime with Pathfinder on this. It has taken a while, but there customer service has been extremely good. I first tried the homemade ferrites with no luck. After contacting Pathfinder, they said they would either refund me, or in a month or 2 they would have something to try. I was OK with waiting. They first sent a harness made up with ferrite installed. They did not help at all. He then said they had a new electronic filter coming out to try. A week later, they were ready. He sent 2 for the high beams. They definitely helped. They worked well for a about a minute, then the noise would start fading back in. They sent me a second pair to install on the low beams. I now have them installed and the issue is finally resolved.
If anyone else has a similar problem, I would contact them and see about the electronic type filters. They look similar to the drivers in size and looks, and install between the drivers and the LED lights.
Hope this helps someone else, and thank you to those who have already responded and tried to help out. I appreciated it.

Do you have a link or part number for this filter....?!?

[joberry1]

Unfortunately I do not. The filters came in a plastic bag with no part numbers or identification on the packaging.I worked with Pathfinder strictly through email. As they developed these, they sent them to me at no charge trying to get the issue resolved. Now that they have a fix, I would think you could contact them with the same issue, and they should be able to help you now.