Check your coil cover.. If it has sand and dirt in it.. Your machine will act up.. I put a coil cover on my LTD and went out detecting after a few hours I started getting pops and crackles.. I emptied the cover..it stopped...It even crackled when coil in raised position up with Controls on ground....so if you haven't cleaned it lately ..Give it a try.. Be careful their flimsy and will break very easily..