RFI apparently causes problems with our trucks. It interferes with our ICP, Radios, ECM, tuner chips, in-car computers, etc.

It hides, it gnaws away at our sanity as we try to track down the causes and mitigate, but it hides and even 'moves' as we fix one segment only to find another.

It is a Weasel!

So how do we locate it? What's your best RFI locator tool suggestion? Homemade is fine, frugal gets extra points- no offense to you HAM guys

I'm sure the HAM guys have a lot to offer for explanations, suggestions for finding and shielding, etc and I'm interested in hearing it. Just keep in mind I don't have the giant budget that most HAMs put into their gear, LOL!

I've used wire tracing inductive wands before, but no idea what frequencies they work with, how effective they'd be on our trucks, etc.

Budget? Considering a "Ford OEM ICP Sensor" is $140-$200 vs $40 from Japan, an effective remediation and shielding of ICPs should easily have value in the $50-$100 range, maybe a bit more.

Ideas, suggestions, kits, build-your-own, COTS, success stories, all welcomed!

Here's one I found and wondered about:




"If you build a better [weasel] trap, the world will beat a path to your door"

So let's see them!

 

There is more in the quality difference between those sensors that just RFI shielding.

 

Sounds reasonable The main problem I see mentioned is the susceptibility to RFI. I figure since I think I'm having RFI from HIDs and have a Hydra tuner on its way, now would be a good time to go through and take care of the sneaky weasels hiding under the hood

 

Yeah... it's not like you can build a Faraday cage around the truck and all is well. That's akin to hose-clamping a socket to make it stronger. The next thing you know, you're buying another cheap socket and swapping out the worm-drive hose clamp for a T-bolt hose clamp. You generally save more money and hassle when you buy the item made out of better materials and with better engineering and support behind it.

 

Do you have aftermarket sensors in there now?

 

Yes, but my ICP isn't a problem. If you recall, I have the aftermarket with the IH number printed on it. I sourced it to see if it was genuine IH, but it is produced in Japan under contract. I don't really have the resources here to track it beyond that. But- it is good to know it isn't 'Made in China'

I am getting a momentary spike that turns on the ABS light for 1-3secs, sometimes the Airbag at the same time, and occasionally the speedo drops out- but it comes back after about 10-15mph needle drop, then no symptoms.

I am *guessing* it's an RF spike, though I guess I could adjust my logging to uber-fast, voltage monitoring only and watch

I don't want to end up with chip interference, too

I do have a replacement HID system to go into the truck from a buddy, but trying to work this out first.

Thanks, gusy, I really appreciate you guys jumping in on this issue