Not sure if this is the right place for this problem, please move is need be.

Anyway, I've got a 2000 SE and in the last week or so, a popping sound has started comming through the radio, Am, FM, all stations. It'* definitely comming from the ignition system. Has anyone had this problem before? Was it a bad plug wire, bad plug, Can the diagnostics at my local mechanic tell me if this is the case. Would hate to put in a new set of wires and it be something else.

As a side note, performance has not changed, rpms are still where they are always are, no hesitation noticed, no rough idle.

Any thoughts?

cajun

the plug wires are a great place to start, how many miles are on the wires in there now? have they ever been changed?

Wires have never been changed, 'bout 43,500 mileage.

Has any maintenance etc been done under the hood recently or even not quite so recently before the popping sound?

I had the A/C compressor changed maybe 6 months back.

What happens when you turn the engine off with the radio playing and in RAP mode? (ignition off with key out of ignition)
Is there any popping sound?

Popping sound goes away, radio is clear of any static.

I've had a related type problem with a 98 H-body. The source seems to be a junction box that picks up the antenna signal from the rear window and isolates it from the read window heater. If I turn the rear window heater on sometimes that makes it go away. Sometimes slamming a rear door makes it quit. It'* like it'* a ground or connector problem. I haven't found where it'* located on my 98. Some tell me it'* behind the C-pillar and behind the rear seat back.

I first suspected an alternator (135000 miles) starting to go bad.

The popping seems to be what the radio picks up if there'* a weak signal from the radio. It adjusts and picks up spark noise in the process.

I have the same problem with my wife'* Aztek and my Bonne. The dealer replaced sprak plug wires and the alternator on the Aztek. It'* still does it while the car is running. Once it'* off, the radio is clear.

On the Bonneville, one of the rear defroster gridlines was out and was causing the static. They repaired the gridline and it'* ok now. (I believe I saw in the owners manual that this could cause static....a broken grid line in the defroster.)

HTH

I'll check my grid wires next time it'* foggy to see if they all work okay.