alpha0963

Hey guys- I'm at my wit's end here. Current setup on my '04 non-nav TSX:

XM Commander's RCA output and Blitzsafe ipod to RCA output both running into the soundgate AUX3 multiple input selector. The AUX3 output goes into my SNHOND3, into the headunit. I'm getting terrible, terrible amounts of noise with this. I currently have the switch for the AUX3 located on one of the blank switchplate covers over by the sunroof controls. I realize that this is a long signal run and could possibly be picking up some noise. Strangely, if I unplug the switch and just plug the XM directly into the SNHOND3, I still get noise. Tomorrow I'm adding a GLI...

The worst part about this is that one very reputable shop did my initial install (JL 300/4 amp, JL speakers all around) and the instiall of the above mentioned. They couldn't find the noise. Another shop today spent four hours (200 bucks) trying to find it, and couldn't. Both tried using GLIs (or so they say). Symptoms: alternator whine and a high frequency squeal. I can't spend any more money paying professionals to try to hunt down the noise, so now it's on me... a complete novice. Has anyone experienced anything like this?

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

i would def add a GLI before the switch and check all of their ground points... are the contacts clean of paint??? i would also check to see if they ran the power line on the opposite side of the signal (RCA) lines

Reach

It really sucks that you put that much into it and no one got it right.

To truly do it right and diagnose it, you'll have to take everything out and re-add them one by one testing along the way. GLIs do work, and I suggest one as well.

Also, make sure that all of this wiring stays AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE from your airbag and ECU modules, as these are known to introduce noise into signals passing nearby them.

jiggaman

are you using line drivers?

alpha0963

no line drivers in the car at all. here's an interesting item: i unplugged everything from the SNHOND3 this morning, but left it plugged into the headunit. The same high-pitch squeal came through my speakers, even when I was listening to just a CD. This confuses me terribly, because if the noise was coming from the SNHOND3's proximity to an ECU or some other source, wouldn't it only come through in CD-C mode? Before I installed the SNHOND3, I didn't experience any noise, so I don't think that they messed up the amp installation.

glott

its not the shond or the switcher, it is the head unit itself. I have a 300/4 and a 500/1 and I still have noise. It is most likely coming from the console area around the head unit or its the actual output from the head unit. The only solution is to turn your gains down and/or put a GLI on both your sirius/ipod as well as your amp inputs

glott

btw this is a common problem especially with the gains anything above floored

Spoon

Well, unplug the SNHOND3 from the HU and see if you still have noise. That would either identify or eliminate the unit as you noise source.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

good call.. i totally forgot about this point... i had to lower my gains when i was getting what sounded like exhaust feedback???

glott

yeah the gains are key, thats why a line driver helps...more volume with less gain at the amp. the stock head unit doesn't have a great "headroom" which is the volume/noise relationship basically. Most new aftermarket head units have at least 2V pre-outs, many with 5 V or higher, the TSX HU does < 2V.

jiggaman

adding line drivers was the fix for my system in the TSX, plus it allows you to run your gains mad low on your amps. my gains are barely even turned up, i have two line drivers.

glott

What brand line drivers did you use?

jiggaman

audiocontrol, not sure what models, they are buried under the front passenger side carpeting.

alpha0963

Excellent. I'm glad to hear that it isn't just me who is having this problem. I unplugged the SNHOND3 (sad) so now my XM is FM modulated and I have no iPod... I'm going to have to move on the line drivers option before I go any further with the iPod stuff... One step at a time, I guess. Thanks for all of your help, guys.

Nicky Pass

Try grounding your RCAs....seriously...I had the WORST alternator wine in one of my cars...I was told to touch a wire from the metal of the RCA prong to bare metal...and it worked!

Zasker1

Try making a faraday cage over the factory ECU?

flaw-ls

i had the same problem with my drive and play (ipod) and pac adapter. i used a noise filter for the rca's and connected both units to a power filter. the problem was fixed, no more noise. i used from pac (sni-1) rca filter and a power filter from an audiovox screen, its a little black box with red and black wires on each side of it. its made for audiovox's 10" screen but we have so many around that i decided to use it and it worked. im sure you can go into your local audio shop and they sould have some or at least something similar to purchase.

flaw-ls

oh yeah i know that if you place anything near the factory amp with power it will create engine noise.

miltcharlie

I have a Audiocontrol 3XS. It has 2 rca sets of input and 3 rca sets output.
I had some serious noise mainly caused by the ignition coil of the TL. (common prob.)
I spent $70 to have my sys tuned and still had noise.

After I bought the 3XS, I still had noise because I had my gains on my amps too high.

(H/U output 4v)

Now with 5v going to my main amp and 2v to my sub amp with their gains set at 5v/2v respectively and after tuning my system myself. I am now noise free.
Audiocontrol saved my sounds.