Recently the radio stations on my cars ML radio are getting static, some FM stations worse than others, AM is ok. It started happening after the Vland headlights were installed, I dont know if is coincidence or the new lights are giving off some kind of interference.

Or could it be the radio amp is going bad?? I see on ebay there are preowned OEM radio units for sale but I dont see for ML. Has anyone installed those upgraded units with carplay and android auto??

 

Sounds like you could have some kind of resistance issue going on after the headlight install. I'd take a thorough look at the wiring and see if anything stands out, including doing some spot checks with a volt meter and all that goodness. Generally if the amp is going bad you will get things like fading sound and for some reason heavy static through the center channel, but YMMV.

If you find it's just coincidence it happened with the headlight install and it is indeed the head unit or you just really want Carplay/Android Auto, I'd have a look at the Grom thread: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...rom-vline.html Can skip to the last few pages if you want some of the info on the difference in the versioning, their support, and what installs are like.

There are also some discussions in there and in other threads about other aftermarket radios, but you'll pretty much be on your own trying to sort out any issues that come up. It's an unfortunate thing that these modern systems often mean more expensive, more limited, and more labor intensive options to replace them.

If the amp is going then United Radio is probably your go to. For some reason they don't have the ML amp repair service on their eBay site, but you can search the forums here to see where people have used them. $400ish from them including shipping vs $1250 or so from the dealer for a replacement. There are also people who've done the repair themselves as usually it's nothing more than a burned out resistor or two, but you'll need a good place to work and some soldering equipment.

 

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Yes I just researched it--the Vlands LED can cause radio static that sucks!! The fix is to use ferrite beads/choke but where to install?? I really dont want to have to take off the bumper and new lights again!!!

 

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Im very upset at this I like the new Vlands but I also need my radio stations!! Im going to start calling car stereo places see what they say

 

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I emailed Vland USA directly will see what they say!!!

 

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