CB radio causing problems with ECM

[EVEREADY]

So, I installed a CB radio in my 2020 Wrangler JL and since had problems with the radio apparently interfering with the ECM, causing the check engine light to come on as well as the electric throttle control (ETC) to light. Has anyone else experienced this problem? I am not running a linear amp, just a radio (Anytone6666) and wondering if the output signal is causing the interference with the ECM. I will be adding ground straps to everything to eliminate any RFI, as well as a dedicated feed line from battery to radio and eliminate the lighter plug being an issue. All suggestions will be fully appreciated and considered.. Thanks in advance,, EVEREADY
P.S. I also have a GMRS radio installed which is a higher wattage radio and do not have this issue with it.

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[Dusty Dude]

Where is your antenna located? Make sure the antenna mount is grounded and the antenna cable going to the mount is not near any modules, if possible. Run the antenna cable along the sheet metal (like under the carpet).

HTH…

 

[rk911]

Also check the SWR of the CB antenna. Also be sure you have the radio grounded to the vehicle chassis.

 

[EVEREADY]

Where is your antenna located? Make sure the antenna mount is grounded and the antenna cable going to the mount is not near any modules, if possible. Run the antenna cable along the sheet metal (like under the carpet).

HTH…

I am fixing to replace the coax from that cheaper stuff, to a better grade RG400 and where I have it running now is not near anything that it could affect and is under carpet against floor.

 

[EVEREADY]

Also check the SWR of the CB antenna. Also be sure you have the radio grounded to the vehicle chassis.

SWR is good, 1.3 to 1 and radio is grounded well.

 

[58Willys]

Are you sure the CB is causing the CEL? Disconnect CB, clear codes, see if CEL comes back on.

 

[Mark75H]

RG400 is wasted money on VHF and HF

I'd bet a ham sandwich the problem is using the cigarette lighter socket.

 

[Dusty Dude]

I am fixing to replace the coax from that cheaper stuff, to a better grade RG400 and where I have it running now is not near anything that it could affect and is under carpet against floor.

So far, so good. In your first pic, the ground cable on the left is a separate copper cable that isn’t just hooked to the outer shield of the coax? If it is a separate wire, where is that end attached? Hopefully not on the tailgate…

 

[EVEREADY]

So far, so good. In your first pic, the ground cable on the left is a separate copper cable that isn’t just hooked to the outer shield of the coax? If it is a separate wire, where is that end attached? Hopefully not on the tailgate…

It is passed through the tailgate and grounds to the floorboard inside the vehicle.

 

[EVEREADY]

Are you sure the CB is causing the CEL? Disconnect CB, clear codes, see if CEL comes back on.

As long as I have the radio on and just listening there is absolutely no problems! Once I key up the radio and talk over 6 seconds, the warning lights comes on and the ETC electronic throttle control disjunctions and throttle no longer responds until you pull over, stop and put vehicle into park,, then shut off ignition. Once you restart, the ETC warning light goes out and throttle again responds but the check engine light stays on for a couple days before clearing.

 

[EVEREADY]

RG400 is wasted money on VHF and HF

I'd bet a ham sandwich the problem is using the cigarette lighter socket.

The RG400 is for the 11 meter CB radio! I have no problems with the GMRS radio!

 

[rk911]

As long as I have the radio on and just listening there is absolutely no problems! Once I key up the radio and talk over 6 seconds, the warning lights comes on and the ETC electronic throttle control disjunctions and throttle no longer responds until you pull over, stop and put vehicle into park,, then shut off ignition. Once you restart, the ETC warning light goes out and throttle again responds but the check engine light stays on for a couple days before clearing.

At what power level are you transmitting?

 

[Nokones]

As long as I have the radio on and just listening there is absolutely no problems! Once I key up the radio and talk over 6 seconds, the warning lights comes on and the ETC electronic throttle control disjunctions and throttle no longer responds until you pull over, stop and put vehicle into park,, then shut off ignition. Once you restart, the ETC warning light goes out and throttle again responds but the check engine light stays on for a couple days before clearing.

Some CEL trouble codes will take several resets before they will cancel out if the trouble is no longer a concern and will stay in memory.

The first thing you need do, is power the radio from the battery with an appropriate fuse or connect the radio to one of the factory auxiliary circuits, if you have that capability. The radio ground lead should be grounded to a factory chassis grounding point. There is usually a factory chassis grounding point behind the front passenger kick panel.

I had the same problem in my 21 Silverado Diesel Dually when I had my CB powered through the cigarette lighter in the rear of the center console. When I key the radio, I would turn on the overhead dome lights, and cause all kinds of problems with my Infotainment System, I lost my GPS reception, and my traction and stability systems went ape on me.

When I wired the radio to the auxiliary battery and chassis grounded the radio the problem went away.

In my 23 Wrangler Rubi, I wired two Motorola and one CB radios to one of my 40-Amp Aux circuits and chassis grounded the radios. My Motorola UHF radio antenna is glass-mounted so there's no ground but my Motorola VHF and Cobra CB radios have chassis grounds to the antenna mounting brackets and I do not have any EMI/RFI interference issues.

 

[Mark75H]

The RG400 is for the 11 meter CB radio! I have no problems with the GMRS radio!

I know, that's what I was saying.

 

[EVEREADY]

At what power level are you transmitting?

Possibly, dead key around 5 watts, and swinging about 20 watts?

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