B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure
During taxi in and talking with Ground Control; the COMM 1 radio started to get continuous static that was annoying.  I had the First Officer turn off the Wi-Fi and the static ceased immediately.   I called for Maintenance and entered the discrepancy in the logbook.  The Mechanic conferred with Maintenance Control and they MEL'd the Wi-Fi inop under 25-10-1.  This required we leave the Wi-Fi OFF.  The Mechanic said the Wi-Fi vendor would be able to troubleshoot the system during the next leg.  Neither of us was sure how that would happen with the system OFF.  About 40 minutes after takeoff; we got an ACARS message that read; 'PLEASE CYCLE POWER ON WIFI AND LEAVE IN ON POSN.  THE POWER SWITCH SHOULD BE BLANK WHEN THE SYSTEM POWER IS ON.  AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED MESSAGE.  DO NOT REPLY.' The First Officer and I weren't sure if this was a normal recycle message or part of the trouble shooting I previously mentioned.  I got an ARINC phone patch with Dispatch and Maintenance Control; explained the request; and said we wouldn't do in-flight troubleshooting concerning an open MEL.  They all agreed and we flew the next two legs to ZZZ and then to a major maintenance station without the Wi-Fi.  We asked for Maintenance to meet the aircraft to work the MEL; and briefed the oncoming Crew at the end of our trip.  I don't know what the final resolution was.  So there are two issues. 1. Why does turning off the Wi-Fi cause static on COMM 1 to cease?  2. The Wi-Fi vendor may be encouraging crews to troubleshoot MEL'd items while in revenue service.
A B737-700 Wi-Fi system created a continuous static in COMM 1 so it was turned OFF which stopped the interference. In flight an automated ACARS advised the crew to turn the Wi-Fi ON which the crew refused to do because inflight troubleshooting was not acceptable.