Radio Noise on AM

[Mitchell Segal]

I'm having a problem with noise on the AM band on my radio, and I thought I
would ask the list, to see if anyone else has encountered this, and maybe
have a solution.

I have a 2001 A4 1.8T Quattro, with the stock radio (not the Bose).  It
started out that when ever I turned on the rear-defroster, I would get noise
when listening to an AM station (800 AM is the one I listen to).  This was a
static noise, not engine speed related.  Dealer thought it had something to
do with the antenna booster, since the antenna is actually the top lines on
the rear window. 

They have replaced the antenna booster, and then they later on replaced the
whole radio (for another reason, I lost the rear speakers, they no longer
worked at all).  That seemed to have helped a little bit, but the noise was
sometimes still there when I turned on the defroster.  Now that it got warm
again.  It also made more noise the colder it was, so I guess it had
something to do with how hard the defroster had to work (turning it on in
the Summer made almost no noise).

Lately, it's been making more and more noise all the time.  I even tried it
with the whole car turned off, and just turning the radio on, and I would
still have static.  I don't know what to think now.  I guess it's the radio
again, but I don't know if the dealer will change it a second time.

Anyone have any suggestions?  Ever have this problem?  Is it a grounding
problem?  Do I just have to live with it?

I would like to have something to go back to the dealer with, as I want this
issue fixed once and for all.  For two reasons.  1) I mainly listen to the
news on AM, so it really bugs me, and 2) my warrantee is up in about 6
months, so I need to fix it sooner rather than later.

If you have anything you can suggest, let me know.

Thanks.

Mitchell Segal
2001 A4 1.8TQ
Montreal, Quebec