Hello all. Apologies in advance for the long post but I could do with some advice.

I'm having an issue with my 2013 Fiesta Titanium. I'm getting a really loud cracking/static sounding noise which has occurred on 3 occasions in the past 4 weeks or so. The first time it happened, the car had been serviced 2 days prior and the only issue was something to do with the steering rack which was fixed/adjusted. A couple of days after the service, I got in the car and started the engine, put the air-con on and after about 15 seconds of driving this horribly loud static/cracking noise came out of nowhere. It got louder and louder so I quickly stopped the car and turned off the engine. This seemed to stop the noise. I thought it could be an issue with the air-con so I tested that out a few times over the next 3-4 weeks or so and the noise never came back.

Then the problem reappeared today. I had been driving for about 3 mins and the noise came back again. I pulled over and turned off the engine. Thinking that the noise might be coming from the speakers, I turned on the radio and the noise got louder, so I quickly turned the radio back off.

Later in the day, once again the problem came back after about 5 mins of driving. I should point out that the car stereo was turned off and the volume was on zero. The air-con was also off. I stopped the car again, turned off the engine and took out the key but the noise was still occurring even after that! I got out of the car and back in again about 5 mins later and the noise reappeared, despite not having even turned the engine back on.

The best way I could describe the noise is that it's like cracking plastic or a static like noise. It's not always a constant noise, it's sometimes intermittent. At it's loudest, it's so loud that it makes you jump, so it doesn't feel wise to carry on driving when it occurs. I have a very limited knowledge of cars but it baffles me that the noise persists even when the engine is off!

On the day that it first occurred, I had used my car to help to jump-start another, but the cables were used in the correct way, so I'm not sure if this could possibly be a cause or not.

I'm guessing it could be an issue with the electronics. I'm going to get it booked into a garage ASAP to be looked at, but does anyone have any idea what it could be or have any advice? Thanks.

 

 

The one time you could affect it was when you turned up the radio. Take out the audio fuses and see if it goes away.Modern off switches do not cut power to the circuit sometimes and pulling the fuse would be the only sure check.

I've had something similar to this once on a 17 plate Mustang. Really bizarre radio static although nothing was on. Seemed to be whenever the vehicle was woken up by opening the driver's door it would happen. 

The only way I fixed this in the end was by replacing the audio unit. I tried doing hard resets, updating the software and carrying out loads of wiring and pin grips tests throughout the vehicle and never made it any better. 

 

17 hours ago, tomshepp said:

The one time you could affect it was when you turned up the radio. Take out the audio fuses and see if it goes away. Modern off switches do not cut power to the circuit sometimes and pulling the fuse would be the only sure check.

 

16 hours ago, MasterTechTip said:

I've had something similar to this once on a 17 plate Mustang. Really bizarre radio static although nothing was on. Seemed to be whenever the vehicle was woken up by opening the driver's door it would happen. 

The only way I fixed this in the end was by replacing the audio unit. I tried doing hard resets, updating the software and carrying out loads of wiring and pin grips tests throughout the vehicle and never made it any better. 

 

Thanks for the replies. I've got it booked in to be looked at next week, so hopefully they can locate the problem.

Hi, 've had this issue recently too. I've been trawling forums and come across this thread. The first time it happened to me i took it to the garage and of course it was working fine that morning and the garage couldn't find anything wrong. Its happened again at the weekend and i have it booked in to the garage tomorrow. Did you resolved your issue? And if so can you advise what it was so i could suggest this to the garage? Many thanks!

Hi I'm getting this loud burst of static also. Makes you jump. I'm thinking 5G has a lot to do with it. So odd all is off and still happens. I have noted going under power lines on a few occasions also.

22 minutes ago, James O. said:

I'm thinking 5G has a lot to do with it.

Have you tried wearing a tinfoil hat ? 🤣

17 minutes ago, unofix said:

Have you tried wearing a tinfoil hat ? 🤣

He could make one. 

Hi I'm having the same problem on a 2012 fiesta. Did you get it sorted?

Try this thread (but don't do the first mentioned 'fix'!).  It might be the same issue as yours....

 

https://www.focusfanatics.com/threads/head-unit-crackling-unauthorized-fix.628585/

On 10/1/2022 at 7:41 AM, Richiej said:

Hi I'm having the same problem on a 2012 fiesta. Did you get it sorted?

Me too, 2012 fiesta. Today when I unlocked the doors using the remote I could hear the static popping and crackling inside the car. What the heck is going on?

I don't get static but a few minutes after I turn it off whilst sitting in the car a thumping noise etc , sounds like valves or whatever just closing down, maybe aircon ?

Or blower?